For me 20% is way too high particularly given tax on food etc! I don’t like the fact that it’s implied, I don’t mind if they earn it with a decent service but I hate this fake ‘is everything okay with your food’ nonsense 3 seconds after they slam the food down!
It pisses me right off when there is a thing on the menu (in UK) that says "An optional 15% service charge will be added to your bill".
If it's a service charge, *I* will decide whether the service and food has been good enough to warrant a tip of whatever value. If it sucks, i'll get them to take it off again (but may tip the waiting staff personally). Bet it doesn't all go to the staff.
Usually i won't go back either - PAY YOUR FUCKING STAFF A DECENT WAGE
It pisses me right off when there is a thing on the menu (in UK) that says "An optional 15% service charge will be added to your bill".
If it's a service charge, *I* will decide whether the service and food has been good enough to warrant a tip of whatever value. If it sucks, i'll get them to take it off again (but may tip the waiting staff personally). Bet it doesn't all go to the staff.
Usually i won't go back either - PAY YOUR FUCKING STAFF A DECENT WAGE
If they paid their staff more, they'd have to raise the prices.
And there'd be no incentive for the staff to treat you well.
So it's got advantages and disadvantages.
By the way, if they add a mandatory service charge, you don't have to leave a tip.
Out at restaurant here in the UK I will normally give a fiver tip if the service and food is good. But it's about the only time I tip.
On holiday it's more expected and I usually do 10% unless it's been crap.
I go to the USA a lot for work probably every couple of months to Chicago. I was out for drinks and meal with work for the first time. And handed over 20 dollars for myself as a tip and was laughed at for being cheap. Since then whenever on holiday in the states particularly in Vegas I have learned to tip heavy. You wouldn't believe the difference in service and the freebies you get. Still pisses me off though the amount you spend to basically sub their wages.
I used to go to South Africa when the Rand was 21 to the pound. A good meal and a couple of drinks would be under £10 - I couldn’t just do the 10% rule so often gave s 50% tip - I went back to the same place four days running in Joberg and I was very popular by the end of the week
If I have experienced good customer service I always leave a couple of quid or if buying a round and the server has been good I’ll buy them a drink or tell them to keep the change
But my wife is firmly against tipping, we are going to America in about 6 weeks and I’ve explained that it’s a tipping culture over there and they look at getting 15%of the bill
Something that bugged me about a visit to the US recently is they put a reminder on the receipt. Nah mate, I’m running on a budget, fuck your tip. Especially when I felt rushed.
If they paid their staff more, they'd have to raise the prices.
And there'd be no incentive for the staff to treat you well.
So it's got advantages and disadvantages.
By the way, if they add a mandatory service charge, you don't have to leave a tip.
I know all of that - but i'd rather they put prices up to be transparent, rather than sneaking them in by stealth. Pay their staff a proper wage and leave it to the customer to establish if they are WORTH a tip for good service.
It's probably different culturally in the US where you are.
I hate tipping and I'm going to sound like a complete dick here but if you need to rely on gratuity to make up your wages then you should get a better job.
After I've delivered a workshop/training session of some kind in my line of work I don't stand at the door with a small wicker basket expecting more for the service I provided.
It's one of those social norms that doesn't get challenged enough.
I hate tipping and I'm going to sound like a complete dick here but if you need to rely on gratuity to make up your wages then you should get a better job.
After I've delivered a workshop/training session of some kind in my line of work I don't stand at the door with a small wicker basket expecting more for the service I provided.
It's one of those social norms that doesn't get challenged enough.
Touchè. I should add my thinking here is limited to the borders of the UK. I just generally disagree with the expectancy and social pressure for tip here.
Appreciate in hotels and restaurants in some nations abroad it's massive for workers where choices in life are limited.
If I have experienced good customer service I always leave a couple of quid or if buying a round and the server has been good I’ll buy them a drink or tell them to keep the change
But my wife is firmly against tipping, we are going to America in about 6 weeks and I’ve explained that it’s a tipping culture over there and they look at getting 15%of the bill