service charges in restaurants

jcr

jcr

jcr

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my girlfriend went to the local Thai with friends the other day. when they got the bill there was a 10% service charge added on.
is this a new thing? is it compulsory? when did tipping become compulsory?
if i were there i would have told them to jog on.
a table of 6 with 3 courses each plus drinks is quite a hefty bill and 10% on top of that is taking the Mick!
 
It's been standard this way for at least 10% for half a decade of not a decade now. But can always ask not for it to be added. Some places around Oxfordshire are 15-17.5% !!

I have personally always paid 10% for last two decades I've been going out with friends tbh as my parents always have. I don't do more than that though.
 
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I think it's a nice thing to do to tip people who have waited on you and whose wages may not even sniff at the amount you're paid but I get that it's not that simple and post#10 yes, several times.

Do you, sure, but be good.
 
I normally deliberately avoid places like this that add it to the bill automatically. Gratuity should be completely at the discretion of the guest, not forced onto them by adding it to the bill and expecting them to ask it be removed.

Apparently the tipping culture in the USA has crazily got out of hand. I've somehow ended up on the door dash subreddit and it's a daily complaint about drivers whinging about not getting a 30-40% tip.

Someone had a video from their doorbell of a pizza being delivered $20 with a $5 tip so 25% - and the driver basically swore at them. The level of entitlement is unreal.
 
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[FnG]magnolia said:
I think it's a nice thing to do to tip people who have waited on you and whose wages may not even sniff at the amount you're paid but I get that it's not that simple and post#10 yes, several times.

Do you, sure, but be good.
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I think this is where the UK differs from the rest of the world. Eating out is 'mostly' affordable, and waiters/bar staff are paid a reasonable wage. So plenty of people eating out are likely to be on the same earnings as those working in hospitality.
 
Semple said:
I normally deliberately avoid places like this that add it to the bill automatically. Gratuity should be completely at the discretion of the guest, not forced onto them by adding it to the bill and expecting them to ask it be removed.

Apparently the tipping culture in the USA has crazily got out of hand. I've somehow ended up on the door dash subreddit and it's a daily complaint about drivers whinging about not getting a 30-40% tip.

Someone had a video from their doorbell of a pizza being delivered $20 with a $5 tip so 25% - and the driver basically swore at them. The level of entitlement is unreal.
Click to expand...
Yeah the doordash stuff is nuts. American service workers are a law unto themselves though.
 
lolTips....
I'm with Norway on this and the other countries where tipping is considered an insult....

and in places like Switzerland you just round up the bill...

coffee costs 4.50 you pay 5 ....
meal costs 46.5 you just round it up to 50 and everyone is happy....
Want to tip the cleaner in a bar? drop a couple of coins on the floor.

This American nonsense.... NO THANK YOU


Also self service tills in Tesco asking if you want to donate to charity !!!! GET LOST!!!!
if tesco want to donate to charity do it ¬ don't nag me about it..... what next machines asking if you want to convert to jehovas witness? Do you want a big issue with that?
 
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Semple said:
I normally deliberately avoid places like this that add it to the bill automatically. Gratuity should be completely at the discretion of the guest, not forced onto them by adding it to the bill and expecting them to ask it be removed.

Apparently the tipping culture in the USA has crazily got out of hand. I've somehow ended up on the door dash subreddit and it's a daily complaint about drivers whinging about not getting a 30-40% tip.

Someone had a video from their doorbell of a pizza being delivered $20 with a $5 tip so 25% - and the driver basically swore at them. The level of entitlement is unreal.
Click to expand...
I saw that video, said "its a nice house for only a $5 dollar tip". The USA is too extreme with the tips, everywhere you are recommended to tip ~20%. Was in Shakeshack in Seattle and even the self serve machines prompt you to tip.
 
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