FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - "The 17% is a service charge, sir, it is not a tip."
Old Aug 29, 2009, 9:30 pm
  #21  
RichardInSF
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
Originally Posted by Georgia Peach
Did the server mention the service charge before the OP ordered, or did it just appear on the bill? I would probably have left before ordering if it was mentioned first. Either way, I would have told the manager why I would not be returning, and that dissatisfied customers don't suffer in silence.
Yes, I knew about the service charge beforehand and although I don't like that approach, others in my party were really looking forward to this place so we went regardless.

I did NOT know that I was going to have to listen to begging afterwards. Most US restaurants that add a service charge also sneak in a blank "tip" line on the charge card receipt, but I've not seen it pushed beyond that before.
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