Is it compulsory to pay a service charge in a restaurant (UK)?

Answer 1

What mystifies me is how it became the "thing to do" to tip waitresses, cab drivers, hair dressers, hotel porters, etc. for the services they have put themselves into the business of rendering. We do not tip our flight attendant when we go by air. We don't tip the person at the grocery store checkout. When we go into ANY kind of store to buy something, we don't tip the store associate we've had to ask help us find something. I'd just like to know how only these certain ones it has become traditional to tip, over and above what we are already paying
I get really galled at my husband's tipping habits. I think his most outrageous was when he tossed down a $5 in one of those self-serve eateries, for the waitress who just brought our coffee and picked up a couple of dirty plates and the whole bill for the actual food was only seventeen doillars and some change. It's been a while since he did that, lol, but it still galls me every time I think about it.

Answer 2

No service charge is not compulsory, all you need to do is ask nicely and they will remove it. Service charges are generally used to deliver a more equal spread of gratuities between servers and chefs, as if you tip in cash it normally all goes to the server. You ned to remember that tips and service charges are the way these people make up the bulk of their earnings though so its important that you recognise good service and hard work whether its with a cash tip or a service charge. And no you don't need to do both.

Answer 3

It's not compulsory at all. However it is customary to pay about 10 to 15% of the bill as a tip.

If you are unhappy with the service leave less or none. If you are especially happy with the service you may wish to leave more.

Remember that most waiting staff are not highly paid and rely on these tips to supliment their income.

Answer 4

No it's not compulsory, especially if the restaurant is self service. A lot of restaurants automatically add a gratuity. Britain is becoming more like USA and waiting staff do expect tips. If the meal is poor it is often the chef's fault.

Answer 5

No, though it's polite to give a 10% tip where a) service charge is not included in bill and b) you feel that the service deserves it!
Though I sympathise with the apparent stress of being a waiter/waitress, I do feel that tipping is just a reminder of how expensive it is living in the UK - rip-off Britain!

Answer 6

No..only pay a service charge if you have a good service. Refuse to pay and let the restaurant send you an invoice or sue you for any service charge

Answer 7

No, the should be no Service charge, as for tipping you tip if the meal or service is good, anything up to 10%.

Answer 8

There is an obligation to tip, and its very hard not to tip at least a little, even if the service has been terrible.

But why is it only restuarant-workers, taxi-drivers and paper-boys that expect tips? What about the rest of us who serve the public in our work but never get any tips? I guess I'm in the wrong job!

Answer 9

no. if the menu says "service included" or similar, and you think the service was appaling, you have no legal obligation to pay the service part of the charge. It's best not to do this much though.

Answer 10

when you go to the restaurant you must have the money on you to pay the full bill. eg cash, credit card etc.

if the menu says that service is to be added to your bill and you receive poor service, do not pay that part of the bill.You must pay for your food and drink.
you must be prepared though to leave your name and address as the restaurant may want to sue you for the money through the civil courts. they have no guarantee of winning the case .