Would you accept a service charge from a pub?

A question about : Would you accept a service charge from a pub?

Evening, everybody

The other night we took some friends out for dinner. We were a party of 6 and went to a lovely local pub where we have eaten many times over the last decade.

To my bafflement, when it came to paying, the waiter politely declined the Ј10.00 tip my husband gave him and referred him to the service charge on the bill. Which amounted to just under Ј 18.00 ( the service charge, not the overall bill!)

Well, that was new!

As we had invited our friends and didnt't want them to feel uncomfortable we didn't say much other than we prefer to tip in cash...and whilst the waiter couldn't say much either, it was clear that he would have infinitely preferred this, too.

In our neck of the woods ( Devon) it was the first time I encountered this charge from a pub. There are a couple of fine dining places who do levy a service charge, but it is clearly displayed on the menu ...or stated at the time of booking the reservation.

I don't mind tipping and always do. And we are good tippers. But would I have tipped Ј18.00 on that evening ? No. That seems a tad excessive for a local pub ( and incidentally we were the only people eating!) and a quick weekday dinner with friends. It isn't that it was a celebration where we stayed until closing time.

But I don't like to be bullied into giving a tip, least of all a nearly 20 quid tip.

My problem: I am not really happy about that new policy but I don't want to fall out with the pub either. We like eating there, the food is great, the service lovely...just the owners are odd. And now that policy.

Just wondering - if that was your pub adding a service charge would you say something? Would you simply decline paying the charge (which, lets face it, falls under the easier said than done category)? Or...?

Best answers:

• I think you need to give the pub some honest feedback about it.
  I find it a hassle giving a cash tip when paying by card so prefer something to be added. If the overall cost of the meal works out too expensive, we would be far less likely to go there again. We don't eat out that much anyway so it isn't that likely we'd say anything at the time and feel like we were spoiling a social event - we'd just be put off.
• A Ј10 isn't tight at all - the staff were being paid so tips are a bonus!
  I'd give honest feedback - never known this in a pub! I don't like tips added as I'm never sure the staff actually get them.
• It will be because there were six of you, so the pub will have a scheme of 'six or more you are charged x for service'. You can always refuse.
• Loads of places do it - check the small print, usually at the bottom of the menu
• You can decline it if it is not clearly listed in the menu prices.
• I hate paying service charges. I would rather the restaurant/pub just incorporate it in to their prices! Ј18 seems steep!
• Note that while a tip goes to the waiter (and may be shared with the other paid staff), a service charge goes to the management to cover their costs in paying the waiter. So two completely different concepts.
  Personally I would just have crossed it off the bill and paid as usual, unless you had been made aware of it before you ordered.
• Today I/we received service from a member of staff in Tesco, Asda, JD Sports (they served me trainers from the back store room), Debenhams (shoes out the back for the wife) and we also had help in getting some Clarks shoes for our child (approximately 20 mins fantastic help from the member of staff). All were very polite and happy to leave their current task and find something within the store and bring it to us.
  Please can someone let me know what would be a suitable tip for all the help I received from these paid staff.
• I think many people pay tips-gratuity because the feel embarrass to be seen by other people for not to giving a tip, not because of the services.
  Many services that we receive are standard services that any people who visit the restaurant will get .
  Why nobody is giving a tip to a teenager who is working in McDonald, Burger King, Subway. Did not they give a you a proper service? These people are more desperate for tip considering they are working in the place where are most likely to be paid a minimum wage. Particually in Subway, they are serving people but at the same time they are preparing food for people.
  What about the people working in the kitchen do not they deserve a tip ?
• I do not tip very often, I have given a few quid here and there, few times when the food was above expected quality, but you have to go to good restaurant for that. but never ever 10%! I am not stealing the money or should I stay at home and not go out???
  My kids think I am tight, ( I don't care it is my hard earned money) but they will not be going out at all once they are older, because they will not have the money.
  I work in a kitchen myself in school , I never stop I'm soo busy and I do it with a smile on my face, so far I have never received any tip! I do get paid a minimal wage, but tip would be nice.
  I might put up a board saying" tips here, please", lol.