To tip or not if paying service charge

androdev · 17th November 2008, 14:54

What to do as far as tipping is concerned when the restaurant is already charging you 10% service charge? The other day I tipped generously and later looked at the bill to find that I was already charged 10% s.c. (Samarkhand Bangalore)

DueLLeR · 17th November 2008, 14:59

What I do is pay the exact amount to the waiter. When he comes back with the "paid" stamped bill, I hand over a tenner or two. This ensures that the guy who served me gets the tip rather than the restaurant owner who has already charged service charge, VAT and everything else.

As a reciprocation of my gesture, I'm welcomed and taken care of better the next time I visit the same place. It always works!

Cheers!
DueLLeR

Eddy · 17th November 2008, 14:59

I never tip if there is a service charge levied.

prabhusati · 17th November 2008, 15:02

If the hotel charges "Service charge" in the bill, then i pay no tips.

nishantgandhi · 17th November 2008, 15:08

Although tipping in India is mostly a personal choice, I choose not to tip if Service 'Charge' has already been included in the bill.

If these is no SC, then I tip depending on the level of satisfaction from the service.

hemanthisgreat · 17th November 2008, 15:12

If I am at my regular joint, I tip even if service tax is levied. If I am at a place where I go rarely, I do not tip, if service tax is levied and point to the waiter that the service tax has been charged.

phamilyman · 17th November 2008, 15:23

Service charge = Tip already included.

You overpay if someone has gone OUT of his way, not just done the job.

Delhi alot of junta tip outta habit and because they'd rather not come off cheap - not because the restaurant deserves it.

sanjayatarizona · 17th November 2008, 15:28

Service Charge = No tips. After all the restaurant has already skimmed the money off you by default.

anantnehru · 17th November 2008, 15:31

Service charge gets divided amongst the entire staff of the restaurant with respect to seniority. So, it is always nice to leave something for the guy whos serving you. Personal choice of course.

aka_iitd · 17th November 2008, 15:41

I thought service charge goes to Govt as a TAX. Am i wrong

Eddy · 17th November 2008, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_iitd

I thought service charge goes to Govt as a TAX. Am i wrong

Thats service tax.

Service charge is a money making gimmick by the restaurant.

nitrous · 17th November 2008, 16:44

Personally, it depends on the service and attitude of the waiter.

harry10 · 17th November 2008, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjayatarizona

Service Charge = No tips. After all the restaurant has already skimmed the money off you by default.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prabhusati

If the hotel charges "Service charge" in the bill, then i pay no tips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy

I never tip if there is a service charge levied.

I do the same. After all the money has already been extracted from us. What i wanna know is if this is legal or illegal?

mjothi · 17th November 2008, 16:51

Man, we already pay 22.5% tax on what we eat in restaurants [12.5% VAT + 10% SC].

But still was paying tips. Seems I can relax now quoting SC

sammyboy · 17th November 2008, 16:55

I tip over the service tax if the server has done a good job. So overall i end up with tipping most times

17th November 2008, 14:54	#1
androdev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 3,255 Thanked: 25,287 Times	To tip or not if paying service charge What to do as far as tipping is concerned when the restaurant is already charging you 10% service charge? The other day I tipped generously and later looked at the bill to find that I was already charged 10% s.c. (Samarkhand Bangalore)
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 14:59	#2
DueLLeR BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vashi / Navi Mumbai Posts: 214 Thanked: 123 Times	What I do is pay the exact amount to the waiter. When he comes back with the "paid" stamped bill, I hand over a tenner or two. This ensures that the guy who served me gets the tip rather than the restaurant owner who has already charged service charge, VAT and everything else. As a reciprocation of my gesture, I'm welcomed and taken care of better the next time I visit the same place. It always works! Cheers! DueLLeR
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 14:59	#3
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 9,566 Thanked: 14,555 Times	I never tip if there is a service charge levied.
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17th November 2008, 15:02	#4
prabhusati BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 254 Thanked: 17 Times	If the hotel charges "Service charge" in the bill, then i pay no tips.
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17th November 2008, 15:08	#5
nishantgandhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,223 Thanked: 156 Times	Although tipping in India is mostly a personal choice, I choose not to tip if Service 'Charge' has already been included in the bill. If these is no SC, then I tip depending on the level of satisfaction from the service.
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 15:12	#6
hemanthisgreat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 594 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	If I am at my regular joint, I tip even if service tax is levied. If I am at a place where I go rarely, I do not tip, if service tax is levied and point to the waiter that the service tax has been charged.
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 15:23	#7
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,673 Times	Service charge = Tip already included. You overpay if someone has gone OUT of his way, not just done the job. Delhi alot of junta tip outta habit and because they'd rather not come off cheap - not because the restaurant deserves it.
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 15:28	#8
sanjayatarizona BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: "God's own Shaap" Posts: 355 Thanked: 10 Times	Service Charge = No tips. After all the restaurant has already skimmed the money off you by default.
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17th November 2008, 15:31	#9
anantnehru BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 447 Thanked: 14 Times	Service charge gets divided amongst the entire staff of the restaurant with respect to seniority. So, it is always nice to leave something for the guy whos serving you. Personal choice of course.
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 15:41	#10
aka_iitd BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 637 Thanked: 52 Times	I thought service charge goes to Govt as a TAX. Am i wrong
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 16:44	#12
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,964 Thanked: 333 Times View My Garage	Personally, it depends on the service and attitude of the waiter.
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17th November 2008, 16:51	#14
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,290 Thanked: 233 Times View My Garage	Man, we already pay 22.5% tax on what we eat in restaurants [12.5% VAT + 10% SC]. But still was paying tips. Seems I can relax now quoting SC
	() Thanks

17th November 2008, 16:55	#15
sammyboy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ggn/Dehradun Posts: 1,842 Thanked: 526 Times View My Garage	I tip over the service tax if the server has done a good job. So overall i end up with tipping most times
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