Cjar

I get that Dukey, but it would be nice to know that regardless of the tip, the server is being paid a decent wage. If tips were figured into the prices of meals everywhere it would certainly simplify things and then if you wish you could leave additional funds. As an American abroad, I almost feel obligated to tip because that is our culture.

welltraveledbrit

In some places the service charge has gone up from 12.5 %...

anicecupoftea

<<What does making a living wage have to do with the quality of service you receive? If you feel it is of exceptional quality then does that deserve additional money?>>

Not imo. I don't get paid any more for doing my job well, I just get satisfaction and pride in going the extra mile. You either want to do a good job or you don't - bribery shouldn't come in to it.

Whathello

When hired in my actual job, I was asked why I wanted that level of salary I answered : pay peanuts get monkeys.

So yes, exceptional quality deserves rewards, it is a basis of capitalism and remuneration - in private sector (public? ) it is called 'end of the year bonus' : you work better than average, you get a bonus.

annhig

For some of us it does and we do not pretend that what the server makes in a salary is some sort of an excuse not to recognize and reward outstanding service.>>

That's a different issue, Dukey. As I understand it, the rationale in the US for the restaurant tipping culture is that servers need the tips to make a living wage. In the UK with our minimum wage that should not be the case, so there is really no excuse for a "service charge" to increase the wages of the staff irrespective of the quality of the service, let alone one that actually doesn't go to the staff at all which is akin to fraud.

the ideal for me is that people are paid properly for the job they do. if you then care to reward them for exceptional service, that is you prerogative.