Just took the family out for a meal . Got the bill and noticed an optional gratuity charge added @12.5%.if I had been on my own I wouldn't have paid it out of principle - I would happily give a good tip voluntarily but not if it's just added to the bill - am I just a grumpy old man ?
gratuity
- Thread starter gov
- Start date
Pizza Express used to do this. Not sure if they still do but always thought it was a pisstake. If I tip its at least somewhere between 10 and 15% but the service has to have been good. I won't tip for the sake of tipping and I don't want it adding automatically.
mad4slalom
Senior member
no not at all. well cheeky I think, they have taken away yr choice whether you wish to tip or not. I will tip like you, if I feel I have been treated well. a bit like pushy sales persons, they almost make you less likely to buy than if they just asked you if you need any help to let them know but then leave you alone.
People tip for various reasons. Custom and tradition in countries for specific services (UK since 17th century). Also many waiters and waitresses aren't paid a great deal so people often feel this helps out if they've received a good sdevice.
I think the NHS probably don't get tips because it isn't traditional or a custom to, and people probably feel they're already paying too much in tax for a service they see as free and entitled to them. Whether that's right or not I couldn't say, but I would imagine that's the reason.
I think the NHS probably don't get tips because it isn't traditional or a custom to, and people probably feel they're already paying too much in tax for a service they see as free and entitled to them. Whether that's right or not I couldn't say, but I would imagine that's the reason.
This is from the CAB web site.
Compulsory service charges must be displayed. You only have to pay a service charge if the trader makes this clear before the meal in a notice or verbally. This is because the service charge is then part of the agreement. If the restaurant does not make the service charge part of the contract in this way, you can decide whether to pay a tip or service charge, and how much this should be. :|
Compulsory service charges must be displayed. You only have to pay a service charge if the trader makes this clear before the meal in a notice or verbally. This is because the service charge is then part of the agreement. If the restaurant does not make the service charge part of the contract in this way, you can decide whether to pay a tip or service charge, and how much this should be. :|
The 12.5% is optional, so you don't HAVE to pay. I work in the F&B business and sometimes the discretionary service charge is added to the bill because that particular restaurant/brand/company have a policy to pool all tips amongst both front-of-house (waiters/waitresses) and back-of-house staff (chefs etc). That makes it easier and clearer for the company with the taxman. It's very easy to fall foul of the Inland Revenue unintentionally with this. Other places don't have a service charge and people tip the waiter who served them and they will keep their tips and the hard-working kitchen staff miss out.
The reason tipping existed was because in the days before the minimum wage, some waiters didn't receive a wage at all and earnt all of their income from tips. Even now most will only be on minimum wage and I think to not tip, if they have served you well, is mean. A good waiter/waitress is worth their weight in gold - the right level of charisma, guiding guests on what's on the menu, helping them to choose something that they will love, advising on wines etc., helping to make what might be a special night out really memorable.
The reason tipping existed was because in the days before the minimum wage, some waiters didn't receive a wage at all and earnt all of their income from tips. Even now most will only be on minimum wage and I think to not tip, if they have served you well, is mean. A good waiter/waitress is worth their weight in gold - the right level of charisma, guiding guests on what's on the menu, helping them to choose something that they will love, advising on wines etc., helping to make what might be a special night out really memorable.
No they are being paid the minimum wage and I've been in the business long enough to know that's no guarantee of getting good people! If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. So if a restaurant is likely to be somewhere that generates good tips you get the pick of the talent when it comes to recruitment. The guest pays one way or another. If there was no tipping all of your food on the menu would be more expensive.
first time I went to Japan in 1968 I got a taxi, driver in white gloves and uniform, arrived at destination it was 800 yen I think gave 1000 note and left the cab, the driver chased me down the street to give me the change. Later went to a restaurant meal was 4700 yen excellent service, gave a 5000 yen note and left, waitress chased me down the street to give change.
In those days £1.00 was 860 yen, now it's about 180 yen.
I always tip good service about 10 -12 %, I know it's hard work o keep smiling on your feet all day.
In those days £1.00 was 860 yen, now it's about 180 yen.
I always tip good service about 10 -12 %, I know it's hard work o keep smiling on your feet all day.
jampudding
Member
Do people tip in McDonalds? I should imagine they are pretty poorly paid.
Tipping is a joke. People choose to work as waiters, just like I chose to work in motor manufacture.
I do tip most times, but only because I feel guilt tripped into it. Prezzo always add a service charge on the bill when we go as a family. It's supposed to be optional, not something you should have to ask to remove.
I imagine a lot of people leave it on the bill because they'd feel embarrassed to ask for it to be removed. Not good service imo.
I do tip most times, but only because I feel guilt tripped into it. Prezzo always add a service charge on the bill when we go as a family. It's supposed to be optional, not something you should have to ask to remove.
I imagine a lot of people leave it on the bill because they'd feel embarrassed to ask for it to be removed. Not good service imo.
I usually tip around 10%. In a Norfolk restaurant, a year or so ago I was choking on a lump of meat. The 17 year old waiter performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on me and saved my life. He got all the cash I had on me 
We're off on a cruise in May (never done one before so not really sure if we'll like it) and we noticed in the small print that at the end of the cruise an £80 pp gratuity charge will be debited from our credit card. In even smaller print it says we don't have to pay it but we have to actually go somewhere or other to have it taken off our bill! - guess what? I'll be first in the queue.
Like most, I don't mind tipping for good service in a restaurant - well, I do really because not many other trades or professions are built around a tipping culture such as the restarant business is. Imagine tipping a doctor in a hospital after he's fixed you up, or a bus driver, a librarian or street sweeper! But, when the tip is added to a bill without consent that really pisses me off so I'll ask for it to be removed and tip nothing - I have done it and will do it again if the need arises. It's just plain cheeky, and it's usually the places with the worst service that do it. It happened to my lad last week at a restaurant in Cardiff and he asked the waiter to remove it - he weren't happy! Since when did tipping become compulsory?
Like most, I don't mind tipping for good service in a restaurant - well, I do really because not many other trades or professions are built around a tipping culture such as the restarant business is. Imagine tipping a doctor in a hospital after he's fixed you up, or a bus driver, a librarian or street sweeper! But, when the tip is added to a bill without consent that really pisses me off so I'll ask for it to be removed and tip nothing - I have done it and will do it again if the need arises. It's just plain cheeky, and it's usually the places with the worst service that do it. It happened to my lad last week at a restaurant in Cardiff and he asked the waiter to remove it - he weren't happy! Since when did tipping become compulsory?
Liverpool
I'll normally tip, but in cash so the server gets the tip directly. If they then want to pool it that's up to them.
If they want to charge 10/20% more then include it in the price of the food/drink.
They must just assume the average punter will be too polite or embarrassed to ask for it to be removed.
If they want to charge 10/20% more then include it in the price of the food/drink.
They must just assume the average punter will be too polite or embarrassed to ask for it to be removed.
henry1 said:
Tipping has never been the custom and is offensive in Japan. I would recommend checking the tipping guidelines before travelling to any country. Fall in line with the custom and you'll be fine. Brits have a reputation abroad for being bad tippers because of the "it's their job and they are paid for it" attitude - as OG points out earlier, many are on minimum wage so I don't see the issue for not rewarding service that has been above and beyond.
On my first trip to the USA many moons ago. Found myself in an almost empty bar, ordered a beer, all good. Fancied a second one but barman just ignored me though it was quiet. Walked up to his end of the bar, "any chance of another beer please mate?"
"Sure, as long as I get paid buddy". This was my introduction to the tipping culture.
I don't generally tip for anything unless I get service over and above and I hardly ever, ever, ever tip taxi drivers.
Nobody ever tips me.
"Sure, as long as I get paid buddy". This was my introduction to the tipping culture.
I don't generally tip for anything unless I get service over and above and I hardly ever, ever, ever tip taxi drivers.
Nobody ever tips me.