The bloody service charge!

Ilovemychocolate · 2025-12-23T08:55:12+00:00

Went out to eat twice yesterday…we are in Bath for a festive visit. Both times our bill came with service charge added. Both times I sent it back and requested they remove the service charge. Now I know it’s Christmas, but adding the service charge, without informing the customer it’s completely their choice to pay it, is a year round practise. I am not against tipping, but it infuriates me when it’s automatically added to my bill with the expectation I will pay it! An I unreasonable to ask the restaurant to remove it every time?

MaybeNotNo · 31/12/2025 11:07

Wrenjay · 26/12/2025 21:05

I have, as a professional, that it is the ignorant who complain or under tip!

A professional what?

I disagree with tipping. I'm a Senior Manager in a professional setting.

Lastfroginthebox · 30/12/2025 07:48

sweetpickle2 · 26/12/2025 09:52

“I don’t care about considering other people's feelings” is a weird hill to die on @Lastfroginthebox

That's not at all what I said and if you thought for a minute, you would realise that.

Rafting2022 · 29/12/2025 18:46

TheRosesAreInBloom · 27/12/2025 19:10

Exactly! Ifthe restaurants want/need more to cover the costs, why can’t they state the price they want for each dish on the menu. That way everyone knows where they stand. The tipping culture is distasteful and mind boggling!

I hate tipping and don’t go out to offend anyone who’s service is good but, a) that is their job and put simply, b)I want to pay the price on the list for the items I choose. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Couldn’t have put it any better!

TheRosesAreInBloom · 27/12/2025 19:10

MaybeNotNo · 23/12/2025 10:10

Not really.

Why should they tip at all. The server will be paid at the very least minimum wage. Why tip there? Do you tip the cashier at Next when youre shopping, or the customer service agent on the phone when you call them about your electricity bill?

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Exactly! Ifthe restaurants want/need more to cover the costs, why can’t they state the price they want for each dish on the menu. That way everyone knows where they stand. The tipping culture is distasteful and mind boggling!

I hate tipping and don’t go out to offend anyone who’s service is good but, a) that is their job and put simply, b)I want to pay the price on the list for the items I choose. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Crochetandtea · 27/12/2025 18:08

Redpeach · 25/12/2025 03:03

If i went on a date with a tip/service charge quibbler, it'd be the last one

My husband doesn’t believe in tipping. He is a bit tight though. Thankfully he has many other redeeming features.
I am less inclined to tip nowadays unless the service is excellent. I

Greenmouldycheese · 27/12/2025 00:27

I always take it off and tip what I want.

Gonnabefine · 26/12/2025 21:42

I am one of the 'never tippers'. The price is the price. If you want to be paid more, put the price up.

PollyBell · 26/12/2025 21:11

I presume there is a sign or it is printed on the menu? Don't they have to advertise it?

billandtedsexcellentadventure · 26/12/2025 21:11

I don’t tip. I’m on minimum wage and no one tips me.

Wrenjay · 26/12/2025 21:05

I have, as a professional, that it is the ignorant who complain or under tip!

Wrenjay · 26/12/2025 21:04

Professionally trained waiting staff also do "casual work" so the cheapo diners get the better service because we are so trained that the customer satisfaction is the only service we are able to do. If you get minimal service then it shows in cheapo eating places, so service "shows" and professionals are only able to serve the customer that way. It is the same with engineers or any other "service" industry.

sweetpickle2 · 26/12/2025 09:52

“I don’t care about considering other people's feelings” is a weird hill to die on @Lastfroginthebox

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 21:15

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 20:12

it’s perfectly reasonable to ask someone to stop something if it’s making them uncomfortable. I asked you very politely but you keep pushing for some reason. I don’t understand why you’re so upset by me inserting a boundary there.
I have looked at your other posts though to see if this was repeated behaviour so I now have more insight.

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I'm glad I gave you something to do. Set all the boundaries you want. I don't have to honour them.

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 20:12

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 20:00

No need to be patronising. I am fine. I just don't see why I should be obliged to do what's easier for you!

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it’s perfectly reasonable to ask someone to stop something if it’s making them uncomfortable. I asked you very politely but you keep pushing for some reason. I don’t understand why you’re so upset by me inserting a boundary there.
I have looked at your other posts though to see if this was repeated behaviour so I now have more insight.

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 20:00

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 19:47

I’ve explained that I’m autistic and why it’s easier for me but you keep quizzing me. It’s making me uncomfortable. Perhaps you’re having a difficult day - I hope you’re ok.

No need to be patronising. I am fine. I just don't see why I should be obliged to do what's easier for you!

JacquesHarlow · 25/12/2025 19:51

Why is this thread getting weird and personal?!!

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 19:47

I’ve explained that I’m autistic and why it’s easier for me but you keep quizzing me. It’s making me uncomfortable. Perhaps you’re having a difficult day - I hope you’re ok.

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 19:44

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 19:35

You: 'I'd appreciate you not asking me about this any more.'

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Are you alright?

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 19:35

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 19:10

When did I tell anyone what to do? I just made a statement that it’s easier and saves the stress of working it out - that’s my personal preference.
You’re the one giving unwanted advice on how to work out basic percentages 😂
I understand if others don’t like the service charge included - because I have the capacity to put myself in others shoes and appreciate we’re not all the same.
How bizarre that you’ve made such a massive presumption consistently with every one of my posts.

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You: 'I'd appreciate you not asking me about this any more.'

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 19:10

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 17:38

What on earth has that got to do with it? I'm not the one who was telling others what to do.

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When did I tell anyone what to do? I just made a statement that it’s easier and saves the stress of working it out - that’s my personal preference.
You’re the one giving unwanted advice on how to work out basic percentages 😂
I understand if others don’t like the service charge included - because I have the capacity to put myself in others shoes and appreciate we’re not all the same.
How bizarre that you’ve made such a massive presumption consistently with every one of my posts.

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 17:38

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 12:21

Do you have children?

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What on earth has that got to do with it? I'm not the one who was telling others what to do.

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 12:21

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 10:32

You gave good reasons - thanks for that. But I'd appreciate you not telling me what comments I can post. I'll ask questions if I want to.

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Do you have children?

Maverickess · 25/12/2025 12:02

I think I served someone that's read this thread and been annoyed by it last night.
Totally bizarre interaction, accusations of the service charge we don't apply anyway and my apparent expectations of a tip, I mean who am I to know what my own expectations are and my own thought process when a customer tells me what they are, it was quite surreal, I don't expect a tip and we don't add a service charge, but that didn't stop her tearing a strip off me regardless.
Merry Christmas hey!

Lastfroginthebox · 25/12/2025 10:32

Terrytheweasel · 25/12/2025 02:37

Because in the UK you don’t have to tip and it’s not always 10% - you can choose any amount. It’s the part of the process that requires me to evaluate the whole experience and decide how much to give or if to give at all.
Also some restaurants keep the tips and don’t share amongst staff so I feel I have to ask about that too or it seems pointless tipping when they won’t even see it.
I’m autistic and it can make me feel uncomfortable so I prefer the service charge included so I don’t need to think about it or discuss with the staff.
I hope that it’s clearer for you now and I’d appreciate you not asking me about this anymore

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You gave good reasons - thanks for that. But I'd appreciate you not telling me what comments I can post. I'll ask questions if I want to.

Elbowpatch · 25/12/2025 09:43

Newdaysameday · 25/12/2025 08:07

That’s an exaggeration isn’t it? Unless you took your own order.

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Could have ordered at the bar. That was the last situation I had where an automatic service charge was added. Then deducted because the service was terrible.

To add insult to injury the blanket service charge was even applied to drinks I had carried from the bar myself, and taken the empty glasses back.