Restaurant Service Charges?

[Grandpappy]

Is it mean to have the service charge taken off the bill, if you've given the waiter a tenner?
I object to feeling obliged to allow this charge to be added to the bill irrespective of whether the service was normal or not!
I foolishly assumed that good food,good service and good prices were all part of visiting a restaurant and that it was those factors that ensured it's popularity and success?
If I objected to a service charge would I have to go into the kitchen and get our food from the chef. I expect good service as standard; exceptional service earns a tip!

[TonyV]

One restaurant where my ex was bookkeeper, they ran a similar community pot scheme so that all, front of house and back got an equal share of any tips. I always remove service charge from bill and leave tip according to quality of meal and service.

[237SJ]

When I was at collage and worked in a pub during the evening, the restaurant staff used to get tips and were supposed to share them out. There was one woman who used to hide hers in a rubber glove placed on a shelf but still took a share of everyone else's. You can't always trust people to be honest.

[Peter Pedant]

// My granddaughter worked (not for long!) at a restaurant where the owner claimed all the tips given to staff and kept them himself. //

and I am afraid this was found to be lawful by the high court
( owner allowed to use tips to make staff wages up to .... legal minimum)

you should ALWAYS give the service charge as cash
this may go into the tronc - the owner has to take 20% as tax for the tax man and the rest divided
or just to the waiter
even then the owner may pocket it
( ask the staff - they'll tell you!)

I give 15%

[Peter Pedant]

tony V best answer

[diddlydo]

If I eat out somewhere that automatically adds a service charge to the bill I don't leave a tip. My favourite restaurant leaves it up to customers as to whether they tip or not. I tip in cash, separately from the credit card bill.

[Peter Pedant]

eek I always leave a tip
it is not the waiters' fault the food is crp

and jesus they are paid piffle ....[ also a decent proportion of my family have worked in service and food preparation - - ]

[Grandpappy]

Well, we used a little out of the way Italian restaurant called QUA and had an acceptable meal (over priced wine?) and the bill showed no service charges ,etc. so I stuck an extra fiver on the saucer! Everyone seemed happy and we left (after a few complimentary Lemoncello's? )back to our hotel and another few, over-priced , drinks!
Glasgow is a great city.