Tipping and service Post Reply

[PreventBankScam]

Hi Everyone,
I've an etiquette question.

I went to Meghan's Battersea Power Station this weekend and as the bill was put down I asked if it had service on it.

The answer was yes.

Great, I thought as I wanted to leave a tip.

Then the little machine came out and it had the total (including service) but also a space for a tip.

I am really really happy to pay service and a tip if that's what is needed but I'm a little confused.

Can someone tell me if I am being a bit thick?

Thanks

[Goldhawk]

It's a common trick - many restaurants try it on!

[catboo1]

Why wouldn’t you just ask them? Say you have included service on the bill already!

[Scottov]

Just decline. Check the bill, if service is included there is no expectation of anything more

[PreventBankScam]

Why wouldn’t you just ask them? Say you have included service on the bill already!

I know I could do this, and I did this time, but I felt a bit mean doing it. I always have thought of myself as being a good tipper and to put £0 when the machine is presented to me with a box for "tip" just jars.

I do wonder if I should take cash next time and then leave a cash tip.

I had heard about this at some much posher West End places but this was Meghans at the Power Station.

Thanks everyone.

[Goldhawk]

Even worse is retailers with self checkout adding charity donation options at check out

[readysteadycook]

I went to Bills in Wimbledon and they are really naughty.

not only did they add the service charge on, but when paying by the Table QR code, they defaulted to an additional tip of c.5% on top of the service charge.   Very easy to miss this ‘2nd Tip’

Won’t be returning to businesses like Bills.

[blueberrymuffin]

We went to the Nightingale pub which is our local and we used to love it and they charged us the service charge on top of G&Ts we ordered ourselves AT THE BAR... I find this practice disgusting. We realised only after the fact, wondering why our two G&Ts were over £30... We haven't been back for months and not planning to go back. Shame as we used to go there all the time but we just felt ripped off. It used to be a lovely local pub, for decades, but now part of the Youngs empire and behaving accordingly