FabSwingers.com forum: Service charges

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

On the one show they are talking about service charge in restaurants, it is interesting and it does not necessarily go to the waiters, how would you feel about it?

I alwais thought it did go to them, they interviewed some and few wouldnt go back as they felt cheated on, they say service charges is not a tip.

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By *idsAndyMan
over a year ago

Worcestershire

I never pay a service charge, even if it's on the bill you don't have to.

If you want to tip the staff give them cash personally. I think NI is payable on tips hopefully they forget to declare cash tips.

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

When I found out Las Iguanos and Turtle Bay took part of the waiting staffs tips I boycotted them (not hard - the food is pants although the cocktails are OK). They stopped doing it not long after it was plastered all over Facebook and the media.

Tips, whether included or excluded in the price, should go to the staff. I prefer exclusion because then I can tip what I feel the service was worth.

At least we pay a minimum wage in this country. Imagine working in some states in the US where you need the tips to get a decent wage.

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

TBH I had a rant about this about a month ago

I normally ask for the service charge to be removed and I refuse to tip

However on Sunday I had a great meal and service so didn't mind service charge of 10%

If I am only person in a curry house a 12.5% service charge Is a piss take

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I only pay it if I've had exceptional service. A local Chinese restaurant don't pass it on to their waiting staff so definitley don't pay it there.

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

I have noticed service charges are increasing in London restaurants. You don't see it that much up here, probably because of the legendary tightness.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't go anywhere that has mandatory tips or service charges. I'm from the U.S., so tipping comes pretty natural to me. But it's my choice to do it, not theirs.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Like Mr.Pink says 'I don't tip, I don't believe in it'.

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By *rincess peachWoman
over a year ago

shits creek

"I don't go anywhere that has mandatory tips or service charges. I'm from the U.S., so tipping comes pretty natural to me. But it's my choice to do it, not theirs."

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"When I found out Las Iguanos and Turtle Bay took part of the waiting staffs tips I boycotted them (not hard - the food is pants although the cocktails are OK). They stopped doing it not long after it was plastered all over Facebook and the media.

Tips, whether included or excluded in the price, should go to the staff. I prefer exclusion because then I can tip what I feel the service was worth.

At least we pay a minimum wage in this country. Imagine working in some states in the US where you need the tips to get a decent wage."

We may have a minimum wage but it's hardly a decent wage

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I always ask if the waiter gets the tip directly. If they do, they get a tip. If they don't, they don't. I am quite happy to tell them why.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Good points and yes, they should make it clear who it goes to and make it optional to pay.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm very sorry the government taxes their tips, that's fucked up. That ain't my fault. It would seem to me that waitresses are one of the many groups the government fucks in the ass on a regular basis. Look, if you ask me to sign something that says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it, put it to a vote, I'll vote for it, but what I won't do is play ball. And as for this non-college bullshit I got two words for that: learn to fuckin' type, 'cause if you're expecting me to help out with the rent you're in for a big fuckin' surprise.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

Tips, whether included or excluded in the price, should go to the staff. I prefer exclusion because then I can tip what I feel the service was worth.

At least we pay a minimum wage in this country. Imagine working in some states in the US where you need the tips to get a decent wage.

We may have a minimum wage but it's hardly a decent wage "

Maybe, but why should anyone else pay someone elses wages ?

We pay for the meal which has included in it ......cost of goods, shopping, cooking and serving plus electric , gas and anything else already.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"I'm very sorry the government taxes their tips, that's fucked up. That ain't my fault. It would seem to me that waitresses are one of the many groups the government fucks in the ass on a regular basis. Look, if you ask me to sign something that says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it, put it to a vote, I'll vote for it, but what I won't do is play ball. And as for this non-college bullshit I got two words for that: learn to fuckin' type, 'cause if you're expecting me to help out with the rent you're in for a big fuckin' surprise.

Ditto

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

years ago I used to work in a posh hotel in the lake district..

there was a pot for monetary tips that was divvied up between everyone that worked in the hotel from the housekeeper to the chef, and I remember our boss used to actively encourage the guests to tip that way as otherwise it got taxed and we didn't get anything like as much as we would have..

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

This has been a 'scam' forever. I won't leave a tip that's added to the bill.

If I appreciate the service I'll give the member of staff the cash in their hand.

I've always believed that if you want tips then work as a waiter, hairdresser, cab driver etc. Not as a chef, housekeeper etc.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

In the 'old days' waiting staff had lower tax codes because they were assumed to earn tips.

Anyone behind the scenes was not expected to and had the standard tax code.

Not sure if it's the same now.

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By *rebor1955Man
over a year ago

Bristol

I work in a cafe/ bar and all the tips are divided amongst all staff FOH,Chefs, kitchen staff etc. Pro rata depending on hours worked .

Fairest system I've known in my many years in catering.

Why should only waiting staff get tips as many on here are saying?

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By *inzi LTV/TS
over a year ago

The Garden of Eden in Beautiful North Wales

If you deliver food to my door, I'll give the driver a quid.

If you drive me home, I'll tip a quid... so long as it's a fair fare.

If I fix your vehicle and your happy with the work carried out, I'll accept a quid or two... or even a packet of teabags or summat!

Try to rip me off and you'll get nothing, not even a 'Thank You' and everyone will know about it.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"I work in a cafe/ bar and all the tips are divided amongst all staff FOH,Chefs, kitchen staff etc. Pro rata depending on hours worked .

Fairest system I've known in my many years in catering.

Why should only waiting staff get tips as many on here are saying?"

That's how it worked where I was a barmaid many moons ago. It was fair and everyone got a share at the end of the shift.

I'm not a huge fan of a 'service charge' but I believe in tipping good service.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

I ask for it to be removed. I was on a course in London last year and we went for a meal. Service charge was added to the bill but we can't claim it back so we said to the writer we will pay got our food only (separately as we were all from different companies) and leave a tip.

He was very rude and said we had to make sure the tip was the same as the service charge of he had to make up the difference.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've worked in one place - a branch of Ask Italian - where a service charge would be added if the bill was above £50 but customers could decline that. Those 'tips' would be equally shared between those people working that day. Same with an independent high end restaurant I worked in.

In other places, all tips, regardless of how small, were shared out equally on a daily basis. When I waited on in a hotel it was split between all staff fortnightly. BUT... in those jobs we didn't expect tips.

Personally, I don't always tip, only when it's good service, and I am choosy about that.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I used to work in a hotel bar and restaurant when I was younger and any tips that the rule always was you kept your own tips. I preferred that way of working as some of the staff were just plain rude to customers and didn't deserve to share pulled tips.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I used to work in a hotel bar and restaurant when I was younger and any tips that the rule always was you kept your own tips. I preferred that way of working as some of the staff were just plain rude to customers and didn't deserve to share pulled tips. "

This is the system I prefer

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

i used to work in a family run hotel - all restaurant/bar tips all went into one pot and shared out weekly with all staff- from pot washers to chef - never any disagreement about it - the owners paid quite well as well and were generous with unused food etc - good days they were and it was my 2nd job i worked a 9 - 5 and then kitchen til 12 topay off debts in my early 20s -

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tips, whether included or excluded in the price, should go to the staff. I prefer exclusion because then I can tip what I feel the service was worth.

At least we pay a minimum wage in this country. Imagine working in some states in the US where you need the tips to get a decent wage.

We may have a minimum wage but it's hardly a decent wage

Maybe, but why should anyone else pay someone elses wages ?

We pay for the meal which has included in it ......cost of goods, shopping, cooking and serving plus electric , gas and anything else already. "

And the surplus they get from it, because if they weren't getting one I very much doubt they'd be open.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

That's how I believe it should be, my brothers worked in a pub and their tips went in a jar to provide their Christmas do.

Another friend worked Christmas Day and got a large amount of tips, however at the end of the day she came out with less than 10% of those tips as it got split between the other members of staff.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yep this is my prefer method, both being the recipient & the customer.

I discovered the larger chains if you pay on card including the tip they will pool it with all the staff.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Yep this is my prefer method, both being the recipient & the customer.

I discovered the larger chains if you pay on card including the tip they will pool it with all the staff."

But what about the people doing the cooking and the dishes? It's not just the waiting staff who are poorly paid... it feels a bit mean not to share.

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By *mojeeCouple
over a year ago

Dunfermline

I don't even tip. People in this country work for an hourly rate or are salaried. As far as I'm concerned they are just doing their job. I don't get tipped in my job and I provode a service to literally thousands of people per day. If I'm I'm America then yes I tip as the staff rely on those to top up the most basic of wages. If I'm eating out and the food or service is below standard then I expect a reduced bill. Remember the food you order isn't the price you have to pay it's only a guide. The food hygiene regulation amendments act covers this. Of you think it's only worth a quid then pay a quid even for the finest steak. Alcohol is different tho you must pay the full price for those

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When i worked in a italian restaurant all cash tips are added up, the total number of waitress hours added up, hours divided by cash at the of the day and worked out hourly. E.g, 2 waitress...one worked 6 the other 4, total of 10 hours, lets say the total tips is £10, this works out at £1 an hour, one would go home with £6, the other £4, nothing to general manager or chefs. Credit card tips was divided and added on to payslip for ALL staff...i think this was fair, some days the waitresses would go home with £20 per hour in tips!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

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By *larayCouple
over a year ago

bolton

"I don't even tip. People in this country work for an hourly rate or are salaried. As far as I'm concerned they are just doing their job. I don't get tipped in my job and I provode a service to literally thousands of people per day. If I'm I'm America then yes I tip as the staff rely on those to top up the most basic of wages If I'm eating out and the food or service is below standard then I expect a reduced bill. Remember the food you order isn't the price you have to pay it's only a guide. The food hygiene regulation amendments act covers this. Of you think it's only worth a quid then pay a quid even for the finest steak. Alcohol is different tho you must pay the full price for those "
a bit tight

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"But what about the people doing the cooking and the dishes? It's not just the waiting staff who are poorly paid... it feels a bit mean not to share.

The chefs are usually better paid and the ones doing the dishes usually do not have the social aptitude to wait on table well.

Waiting table takes skills, not rocket science but skills.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"But what about the people doing the cooking and the dishes? It's not just the waiting staff who are poorly paid... it feels a bit mean not to share.

The chefs are usually better paid and the ones doing the dishes usually do not have the social aptitude to wait on table well.

Waiting table takes skills, not rocket science but skills."

That's possibly true but they need clean plates to do it. Not having the social skills to wait tables shouldn't mean no share of the tips though.

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Being the barmaid meant that people bought us drinks. We just used to take cash and throw it in the tip jar.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I boycott establishments that have pulled this one on their staff and customers - there are plenty more places to go to

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