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Original poster

Asking to take the service charge off

69 replies

BridgertonToBe · 15/02/2026 19:12

I have a friend who has a real bug bear about restaurants/eateries automatically adding the service charge on to the bill. She will always ask them to take it off.

While I can see her point, I would feel too awkward and embarrassed to ask this myself. I went out with her a few weeks ago and she asked them to remove it and they brought the manager out to ask her why she didn’t want to pay it and what the problem is.

I now want to avoid going anywhere with her that adds this charge as I find it embarrassing. She can’t see what the problem is. Is she right?

OP posts:
EvangelineTheNightStar · 15/02/2026 19:14

She is, can you imagine another industry where they can come out and demand extra money from you!

BIWI · 15/02/2026 19:14

It is always supposed to be an optional charge, so she is quite within her rights to ask for it to be taken off.

However ...

… does she then tip if the service has been good? Or is she one of those people who never tips?

NewYearNewMee · 15/02/2026 19:16

I think this is a you problem?

Personally I think it’s optional, hence the fact it can be removed - I really think it’s cheeky they pop it on in the first place! I think when you ask for the bill they should ask then if you want it on or not, rather than adding it on all the time. I think they rely on people being embarrassed to ask to have it removed or even people not noticing.

2chocolateoranges · 15/02/2026 19:16

I have asked for it to be taken off a few times due to rubbish food or crap service.

its optional and shouldn’t be added onto a bill.

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 15/02/2026 19:16

Each to their own, but I like it when they add a service charge as it means I don't have to bother working out how much to tip.

Original poster
BridgertonToBe · 15/02/2026 19:16

BIWI · 15/02/2026 19:14

It is always supposed to be an optional charge, so she is quite within her rights to ask for it to be taken off.

However ...

… does she then tip if the service has been good? Or is she one of those people who never tips?

No she doesn’t tip

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 15/02/2026 19:17

I don’t like that adding a tip to the bill sees to be automatic
if I’ve had good service I’ll always tip anyway
if the service has been poor I’d ask for it to be removed - is that what your friend did?

RinielUrban · 15/02/2026 19:17

Yes. I don’t understand tips. Why does one job expect tips and others don’t, and they shouldn’t just add it on.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 15/02/2026 19:17

Sometimes, when the service charge is included on the bill, the money is split between all of the staff- if you want your tip to go to your server, you need to give it in cash - or so I’ve been told.

Hoppinggreen · 15/02/2026 19:18

I have done it a couple of times when I had awful service
Once they brought the manager out to ask what the problem was - I told him in great detail
I don't pay for crappy service, a few mistakes (suitably rectified) are fine but other than that if the overall experience is bad I don't tip OR pay a service charge

Goonyoucanaskme · 15/02/2026 19:18

I wouldn't go to restaurants with her OP, just bars or cafes where tipping isn't assumed.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 15/02/2026 19:24

They get minimum wage, if not more, which will not be dissimilar in many establishments to what the customer earns. Why are they paid more and I think tipping culture is going too far now. I'll have often asked for the service charge to be removed, especially when I had to wait at a counter to pick up food, or service where multiple staff interact, so not so much service as constant bothering at a table.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 15/02/2026 19:24

Too embarrassing 😬😬

but at a lower scale restaurant, maybe

ReprogramNeeded · 15/02/2026 19:38

Are you splitting the bill? You could choose to pay a tip when you pay your bit. She can choose not to but you can do your own thing.

I don't think sending out a manager to make you justify your tip decision is right, though! Wouldn't go back to that restaurant.

Callipygion · 15/02/2026 19:40

I do pay it but I think it’s a bloody cheek. The staff are paid to take your order and bring your food why do you have to give them a tip for doing their job? Maybe they are on minimum wage but so am I! No one gives the till operator in Tesco a tip for scanning their groceries do they?

BiscoffCheesecakes · 15/02/2026 19:42

I have a bugbear about it too. I wouldn't necessarily ask for it to be taken off, I just wouldn't pay it, unless the service was outstanding.

gamerchick · 15/02/2026 19:43

I hate the way we copy America like that. I would go somewhere that does this. Good for her giant lady balls.

dadtoateen · 15/02/2026 19:46

I always ask for the ‘optional’ service charge to be removed.
i will decide if the food and service was good enough to deserve the extra.
so I tip the server myself in cash, that it there money, they have deserved it.

ClaredeBear · 15/02/2026 19:47

I’d feel uncomfortable unless there was a problem with the service, or if she was making a point and tipping the staff cash. I have friends like this and I quietly leave a tip on the table. I don’t think either have wired in the service industry but I have, as have my children and it’s such hard work.

7238SM · 15/02/2026 19:57

What did your friend say to the manager? I think its ridiculous that they bought the manager out because its a discretionary service charge of x%. I think it goes to show how many people pay it and either don't realise its optional, don't want to rock the boat or feel the service has been exceptional?

There was a similar post recently but I can't find it. I've asked for for the charge to be removed. We were served raw chicken, meals missing and others meals coming out after everyone had finished- it was very poor overall so I asked for the charge to be removed. The woman said if we didn't pay, we couldn't leave. She blocked the exit and eventually threatened to call the police! I told her to please call the police and as she went to get the phone- we walked out. And yes, we did pay the full bill, just not the service charge. I suspect English wasn't her 1st language and she didn't understand what discretionary was- or she was chancing it.

Motheranddaughter · 15/02/2026 20:00

I normally tip 10/15 %
I find it easier if the service charge is in, then it’s just all on my card and I don’t need to think about how much to tip

MadridMadridMadrid · 15/02/2026 20:31

If the menu says, "A discretionary service charge of X% will be added to your bill", I will generally just pay it. But I would ask for it to be taken off if the service had been particularly bad. I would find it quite awkward to be with someone who insisted on the service charge being taken off when there had been no significant issue with the service (unless the menu had said nothing about the service charge).

QuietLifeNoDrama · 15/02/2026 20:37

Stupid question but is the service charge actually distributed out to all the staff or does it just go to the company?

AntiqueBabyLoanSmurf · 15/02/2026 20:43

I don't understand why they try it on adding a service charge and then expect you to explain why and get annoyed when you don't want to pay extra if you decline - as if you should be paying it rather than them being CFs.

As PP said, if Tesco tried to shove another 12.5% on to your bill and then get offended when people object, there would be a huge outcry.

"Was there a problem with your meal, Madam/Sir?"

"No, it was great, thank you - which is why I'm very happy indeed to pay the stated, agreed price in full with no quibbles at all."

Sowhat1976 · 15/02/2026 20:46

I'd ask for separate bills. Leave jer do her own funky thing.