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Original poster

The bloody service charge!

434 replies

Ilovemychocolate · 23/12/2025 08:55

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?

OP posts:
PersephonePomegranate · 23/12/2025 09:54

DinoLil · 23/12/2025 09:31

Urgh, drives me mad! I went on a works Christmas do a few years back, everyone had left a tip. There was just me and one colleague left at the end because we were having a good old gossip, everyone else had gone. We were presented with a service charge of £70! Really ruined a great night out and we never went back. The two of us had to point out that everyone had tipped and paid well over the bill amount (there were a few of us) and we weren't going to pay £70. The manager came out and argued with us, said we had to pay. We didn't, we just got up and left.

Thesis very odd, its usually included on the bill not ussued separately? Who paid the bill?

PersephonePomegranate · 23/12/2025 09:53

Jesus, I rarely go out these days but even I expect a service charge these days! I can't believe people are scrooge-like about it. If tge service has been bad, I'd request to take it off.

Megifer · 23/12/2025 09:41

ColdAsAWitches · 23/12/2025 09:38

I don't know if you are deliberately stirring, but that is a miserable tip.

Show quote history

Id have said I dont tip if I was stirring 😬

If service was good I.e. bare minimum thats what id tip. If it was great id tip more. If it was crap I dont tip.

ColdAsAWitches · 23/12/2025 09:38

Megifer · 23/12/2025 09:34

Ive never paid service charge and would tip about £5 if the bill was say £200 and service was good.

I don't know if you are deliberately stirring, but that is a miserable tip.

Megifer · 23/12/2025 09:34

Ive never paid service charge and would tip about £5 if the bill was say £200 and service was good.

DinoLil · 23/12/2025 09:31

Urgh, drives me mad! I went on a works Christmas do a few years back, everyone had left a tip. There was just me and one colleague left at the end because we were having a good old gossip, everyone else had gone. We were presented with a service charge of £70! Really ruined a great night out and we never went back. The two of us had to point out that everyone had tipped and paid well over the bill amount (there were a few of us) and we weren't going to pay £70. The manager came out and argued with us, said we had to pay. We didn't, we just got up and left.

TheOccupier · 23/12/2025 09:22

Did you tip instead? If so, how much (as a %)?

pinotnow · 23/12/2025 09:04

I don't see the big deal tbh. I would just pay but not add another tip, obviously. If the service had been bad, or the food, I would get it deducted, but, no, I wouldn't be getting so angry about something so minor.

Lennonjingles · 23/12/2025 09:03

It’s totally your choice, most menus do mention what service charge is added.

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