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Case #42835 Money 8,167 jurors so far

I stopped tipping at restaurants with a service charge already added. Tight or reasonable?

The complainant says

Most restaurants I go to now add a 12.5 percent service charge to the bill automatically. I pay it without complaint. What I don't do is leave an extra cash tip on top unless the service was exceptional.

At dinner with a friend, the bill included service and she left an extra £10 in cash. When I didn't, she said it was embarrassing and that the service charge often doesn't go to the staff.

The other side says the friend, as the complainant tells it

She says you can't be sure how the service charge is shared, cash in hand is the only way to know it reaches the person who served you, and that £5 or £10 is nothing compared with what restaurant workers earn.

Whose side are you on?

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Jury discussion (5 comments)

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  1. Juror 6715 Voted: The complainant

    Worked in restaurants for years. Cash tips on top were appreciated but never expected when service was added.

    1,100 3 5
    1. Juror 5096 Voted: The complainant

      Same experience. The service charge was split fairly where I worked.

      300 1 3
  2. Juror 9953 Voted: The complainant

    12.5 percent is the tip. It says 'service' right there.

    1,000 30 20
  3. Juror 8334 Voted: Both have a point

    She's right that you can ask how the service charge is shared, though. Plenty of places will tell you.

    800 2 30
  4. Juror 7429 Voted: Both have a point

    Her leaving extra is kind. Her calling you embarrassing for not doing it is not.

    700 20 5

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Part of Money. Submitted 18 days ago. Verdicts show what the people who voted here think, based on one side's account. The majority is not necessarily right, and nobody in this case should be identifiable. If you recognise yourself or someone else, please tell us.

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