Restaurants and tipping

squirrely

I've a bone to pick with restaurants near where I live in London. The majority seem happy to apply a 12.5% service charge, and even a charitable donation of £2, on top of a restaurant bill. At the weekend this happened, and I paid in cash - the amount for the meal, plus 10%, which was generous given the lukewarm service. However I was then told by the waitor that this was "a little short", at which point I told him I wasn't going to pay the charitable donation, and would be tipping 10% rather than 12.5%. He seemed rather put out, and as we left the waitress who was serving us earlier glared.

Always wanting to do the right thing, and to tip according to the level of service received, I'd like to know what other people do about "optional" tips and charitable donations added to the bill? Is it ever acceptable to tip nothing? And what level of service would you expect to receive in order to pay a "full" (what I used to think was 10%) tip for a restaurant meal?

stugib

If they add on a service charge automatically, I give nothing. Otherwise, 10-15% (usually just do 10% and round it up to a round number).

Now tips for taxi drivers: nothing, ever.

fleagle21

Take a look at this weeks money moral dilemma, some interesting debate going on over there about the whole 'tipping' thing

missile

I object to service charge and avoid these places.

However, if the menu states there is a service charge, I would suggest you have accepted this condition. I would feel obliged to pay it unless, I felt the meal / service was sub-standard AND I had made a complaint.

sookipeaspud

I usually tip if the waitress is ahem..on display. Sexist I know, but hey we live in a sex society and its a sign of the times .

hazey31

I'm not sure I've understood this correctly- restaurants are now asking you to make a 'charitable donation'- to a really charity like the NSPCC or Oxfam etc or a 'charitable' donation to their staff?

rl290

Live in London also. If service is good, I'm happy to leave the tip included. If not, I refuse and ask them to remove it from the bill (and usually don't go back). I have never seen a charitable donation though...

R

squirrely

The charitable donation in this case was to "Street kids of India". Without meaning to sound heartless, I'd like to choose wisely the organisations I give donations to, and when I know nothing about the charity that it's suggested I give money to, I'd rather say "no thanks" and donate once I've done a bit of research...

967stuart

I don't tip at all, they get paid a wage just like the rest of us, without wanting to put anyone down, My job IS slightly more involved than carrying a plate of food to a table, I am not 'rewarded' for doing each of my daily tasks yet these jokers seem to demand a tip for doing a job that a monkey could do.

MileySmiley_2

967stuart wrote: »

I don't tip at all, they get paid a wage just like the rest of us, without wanting to put anyone down, My job IS slightly more involved than carrying a plate of food to a table, I am not 'rewarded' for doing each of my daily tasks yet these jokers seem to demand a tip for doing a job that a monkey could do.

I think you have put them down.....'jokers' 'jobs that monkeys can do'
I agree that if the service wasn't good then why leave a tip....but being a waitress is a hardworking job, before you ask It's not my line of work but I know of 2 women who fit this in around looking after their children and they work very hard.

MissGolightly

i kind of agree with 967stuart, although he maybe put it a bit harshly. why do we tip these people, it's what they're paid to do??

saying that i do usually tip if the service has been good... beginning to wonder why.

always tip takeaway delivery drivers as they get paid a pittance!