Tipping

[Bazile]

1.What is the accepted norm nowadays as regards whether to tip or not in a restaurant .

2. if you are going to tip - what amount would be reasonable

3. If the bill has a service charge added - are you obliged to pay this service charge or can you ask for it to be removed

[cal11pyso5]

You don't have to pay the service charge if you don't want to,but always tell them before you eat/drink.I think that 10% is reasonable

[237SJ]

If I pay the bill by credit card, I always leave the tip in cash. If you put it on the card, some of it goes to the management in some restaurants so the only way to make sure the waiting staff get the money is cash. (pizza express is one such establishment)
I don`t do more than 10% otherwise we will end up like the States where they`re asking up to 19% these days (criminal)!

[ChuckFickens]

I don't mind paying the service charge as long as, the service has been good, and the waiting staff confirm to me that it is actually given to them and not just an extra profit making scheme for the establishment.

[saxy_jag]

I don't think I've ever yet eaten in a restaurant where they've put on a service charge. Maybe I have the knack of choosing halfway decent restaurants.

Like 237SJ, I'll usually pay the tip in cash, and I make a point of asking what the establishment's system is. Most places I visit locally seem to have a 'pot' that's divided equally among all the waiting staff, so it's in all their interests to give as good as service as possible. If service has been good, I like to leave around 10%, a little more if it's been particularly good.

[joko]

i would never pay a pre added service charge...how cheeky that they do this!
you are already paying for the meal...(often at high prices) so why should you pay extra for staff to do the job that they have been HIRED to do and are already being PAID to do?

often tipping is just a way for stingey restaurant owners to get away with paying low wages.

tipping began as a reward for exceptional service...when someone has made an extra speacial effort for you...not merely performed their described job role in an adequate fashion.

this makes me angry because of the reaction i receive if i dont tip - snottty looks huffing etc etc...even when its only a £1.80 cab fare they expect a 50p or £1 tip...its mad

[Greedyfly]

I will only tip anyone if they give me good service. If the service isn't up to scratch then they don't get tipped and I will tell them why also.

[joggerjayne]

Yes, you should always pay a tip in cash. It optimises the chance of it going to the person who served you.

A tip for a barman just consists of inviting him to "have one yourself". He will usually say that he will hust have a half. He doesn't pour himself a half. He's probably not supposed to drink at work. He just puts aside the price of a half as a tip.

NB. Girls only invite a barman to have one himself when we are in groups. If we are on our own, it might look as if we are coming on to the barman.

[joeluke]

I only tip female waitresses, and even then only if I fancy them

Shallow? Moi?

[pastafreak]

I posted this on your other thread in F&D

Here is an article that describes the most recent legislation regarding tipping and service charges. It seems restaurants will now be obliged to pass on all tips,which will also be taxed.
I would think if you have had a particularly good waiter/ess, then tip them directly,and hopefully it will not then be dispersed amongst a dozen or more staff. This is important if the service was good,yet the food may not have been....they are two separate things.

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../business/8281191.stm

[joggerjayne]

joe ...

I think it's a simple fact of life that attractive staff find it easier to get tips.

x

[Rev Sermon]

I 100% agree with Greedyfly, I would add a suggestion that was made to me though. If you don't tip it is assumed you are just mean but ithe service is below standard then the tip should match. A one % tip makes more of a point than no tip.

Bez,

I've never worked in a restaurant myself but I can assure you that most waiters and waitresses are extremely poorly paid and do the job because they can't get anything better but have too much work ethic to go on benefits. If they look after you are polite and friendly then a small cash tip to them in person can make a big difference and if they don't go the extra mile then fine don't tip.

[joggerjayne]

Rev is right.

There are some restaurants that pay quite well.

However ...

... most waiters and waitresses work very hard, and are paid not much.

They depend on tips for their living ... which gives them an incentive to be nice !!!

AND ... the Revenue assumes that waiters and cab hairdressers get tips, and will charge tax on an imputed figure, even if the waiter hasn't had any tips. The waiter then has to prove that they didn't get any tips ... which is almost impossible to do.

[joggerjayne]

"cab drivers and hairdressers"

[joeluke]

Cab Hairdressers?

You may have something there, i could easily see that taking off

For the woman on the go who just doesn't have the time.........have your hair done while you travel

[ummmm]

In my last job I made £70 in tips alone. That was just my share.....I shared the tips with the other staff.

[ummmm]

The downside....it was all in pound coins....lol

[joggerjayne]

70 £1 coins must have looked good in your jeans pocket !

[ummmm]

I had a bag :-)

We didn't share until the tills had been closed......mistake.