Service charged in restaurant bills: LEGAL?

u dont go out mich do u

Im the one and only

Next time you're in a restaurant that adds a service charge ask your waiter if they receive any of it.

Do you really think the restaurants go through all the receipts and work out how much service charge has been paid? Then get together that amount of cash and give it out to the waiting staff? (bearing in mind the majority of bills have probably been paid for by credit card).

There may be exceptions, but not many.

I know it's not a restaurant, but it gives a good example; in the hairdressers at the Four Seasons they put a sign up saying something along the lines of "it's no longer necessary to tip your hairdresser as we've started adding a 15% service charge to your bill". I asked the staff if they receive any of this, and they don't.

where does the service charges go? Back home it is equally divided amongst the waiters and waitresses of the establishment. Really surprising info! :)

I think giving a tip even if you were charged for it would either be: you're generous or simply a fool not to understand what you're paying for.

its illigal if they dont inform the customers regarding additional % for service charge. Usually it is written in a notation in the menu book or menu board.

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KEEP MOVING!!!

I went to the restaurant in Diplomatic Club the other day and the service charge was 17%..

Personaly, I find it a little distateful, since, to me, the service charge should be determined by the customer depending on the service provided..

in restaurants around Doha except in hotels...

only lately some restaurants around started charging 10% service charge. i think it's legal as long as it is printed in your official receipt.

as for the tips you gave to the staff, as i know, they place it in a box and at the end of each month, they divide it equally among themselves including the kitchen staff

The service charge added to the bill doesn't go to the staff. You need to leave a separate tip if you want them to get something (and give it to them directly if you really want to make sure they get it).

Regarding Amoud's statement that "Standard tipping percentage in the West is 15%, and it is actually considered in bad taste if you tip less."

This isn't true for the entire West.

In the UK tipping is still considered discretionary - i.e. you tip if you think they deserve it (which is how it should be in my opinion), and it's usually 10% (or whatever you feel they deserve).

I know however that in the US waiting staff rely on tips to make up their poor salary, so there it is considered rude not to tip.

I appreciate your opinion put forward...this has given me a clear understanding between a service charge and a tip.

I really tip waiters/waitress depending on service provided. I was bit confused when I received the bill which showed a service charge too....

Now itz very clear.....

Once again......thanks for the opinions! Have a good day :-)

i think about 5% out of that 10% service charge goes to the tourism with the rest going to the hotel itself.

Aana free, jaana free,

Pakde gaye tho khana free.

A NY District Attorney argued mandatory tipping was not legal after a man was arrested for not leaving a full 18% tip that was stated as being mandatory (he tipped 10% due to bad food). The courts agreed and the charges were dropped.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/nyregion/15tipper.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

"...The reason restaurants want to replace tips with service charges is so customers will give the business money that they used to give the employees. Remember tips are the sole property of the tipped employee, that means that moneys received as tips can't be used by the business. On the other hand, moneys received as service charges are the business's property and as such the business can do what ever they want to do with those moneys.... Replacing tips with service charges actually means that customers will be giving the business money instead of the employees....service charges are the business property not tip income for the employees. What will actually happen is that the money that used to be given to the employees will become by law the employer's property. What this means to workers is that the tips that they used to receive from customers and which were protected by law as their sole property will become property of their employer. What this also means is that a customer's right to determine whether a tip is given, the amount and who will be the recipient of his tips will be replaced by an automatic charge which denies customers their right to determine such matters and which results in the business fraudulently reaping the financial rewards of the tip that would have gone to an employee of the customer's choosing.

Most customers who pay these service charges think they are the same thing as a tip. In fact, many restaurants openly suggest that the service charge is in lieu of a tip. What is in lieu. Alternately, alternatively, by choice, by preference, first, in lieu, in preference, instead. Business want customers ,to instead of tipping their employees,give the business additional income.

3. Is it legal.

Customers are being led to believe that a service charge may be paid in place of a tip, however no distinction is being made that the service charge is not the same as a tip. Many customers are paying these service charges with a misguided impression that a service charge is the same as a tip when clearly there are distinct differences. Customers, in fact, are paying service charges that they think are money intended as tips not knowing that the money is legally the business's...such practices are fraud on the consumer and not only fraud but intentional fraud. Businesses have every right and ability to charge more for their services if additional income is needed. Instead of charging more for their services many businesses are intentionally substituting service charges for tips in an effort to defraud money out of the public."

Quote unquote.

If you're living life on the edge, you've got too much room.

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

I do tip on top of the service charge also, directly to the waitstaff. I would pay tax on the meal back home anyway (15%) so I guess it is not way over the top. ____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

Simple, if service charge is included...don't give 'em a tip!

As stated before, in the west it is common practice and no big deal. In fact, if the party is 8 or more people there is an automatic service charge or gratuity fee added to the bill.

The good news is that you don't have to frequent these restaurants, if you don't want to pay the service charge.

It's pretty simple really.

service charge does NOT go to the waiter/waitress but to the restaurant owner. Even if there IS a service fee, I always put the tip I intended to give the server, directly into their hands. that way I know they got at least that much for their help.

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the main difference between a dog and man.

-Mark Twain-

standard tipping in the west is 15% (MINIMUM) and not 10% as you practice.

if your are not that kindhearted enough to share your blessings then dont pay for it..make argue with them till the police will catch u just for that small amount hahaha..men try to consider that these tip is for the service crew who's just having a low salary and not like yours..atleast sometimes u were able to help some other ppol in that kind of way.. ;)

MyHotComments

Give a tip if there is no service charge. Opt not to give if your bill includes a service charge.

But if the waiter or service crew is really accommodating, I give a tip - directly to the person.

BTW, if you pay by credit card, do not include the tip in your credit card charge. This usually does not go to the crew. Rather leave the cash tip separately.

Standard tipping percentage in the West is 15%, and it is actually considered in bad taste if you tip less.

The service charge is clearly stated on the bottom of the menus. Alot of people dont tip here, and not all restaurants charge the mandatory service charge. If you dont want to pay it then I guess finding a restaurant that doesnt charge it would be the solution.

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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

Of course it's legal. If it wasn't they wouldn't do it. This is also done in the west too. If you are not happy with it, eat elsewhere!