I still don't understand what you do when a restaurant tacks on a 20% service fee

[Anonymous]

You are supposed to leave 0% tip, right?

Restaurants in DC are adding these ridiculous fees. According to the law, they have to use it to pay staff, so if staff are now getting more money, why would you leave a tip? I keep hearing about people being expected to tip 40+% now on top of bill after they pay 20% more for tip on top of the service charge. That's insane and I'll never pay that. So what exactly are you supposed to do? It's awkward when the waiter is there with an electronic device to process your card payment and you add 0% because there's a service fee. Tipping culture in the US is infuriating, and they're treating customers like cash cows.

[Anonymous]

I say “there’s already a service fee on this bill right?” Then click 0%.

[Anonymous]

If there is a service charge of 20% I don't tip.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think hitting 0 is awkward at all. The restaurant and that waiter know they replaced tips with a 20% service fee. If they’re expecting more, they’re just greedy a-holes.

[Anonymous]

yep, i don't tip if there is a 20 percent service fee. that's the tip, clearly.

[Anonymous]

It’s only awkward if you received bad service. Otherwise, you’d have given approximately that amount anyway. Obviously, no need to add more!!!

[Anonymous]

They are not expecting more. Stop stirring up trouble. The screen or the receipt may suggest adding an additional extra tip, but no one does that.

[Anonymous]

Why is it awkward? The tip has already been included and they know that.

[Anonymous]

Vote with your feet.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t eaten out in DC in a long time, so I’m unfamiliar with this. Does the waitstaff get that service fee or that a “restaurant recovery” fee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are not expecting more. Stop stirring up trouble. The screen or the receipt may suggest adding an additional extra tip, but no one does that.

We encountered a very similar scenario recently:

https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/156w1dc/i_was_asked_to_tip_in_addition_to_20_service_fee/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t eaten out in DC in a long time, so I’m unfamiliar with this. Does the waitstaff get that service fee or that a “restaurant recovery” fee?

Restaurant recovery fee is not my problem.

The restaurant can raise prices if they need to.

I’m a former server. I hit 0%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t eaten out in DC in a long time, so I’m unfamiliar with this. Does the waitstaff get that service fee or that a “restaurant recovery” fee?

Restaurant recovery fee is not my problem.

The restaurant can raise prices if they need to.

I’m a former server. I hit 0%

Who is getting the service fee, the restaurant or the server?

[Anonymous]

The only place I’ve seen this recently is 2 Amys and they make it very clear you are not expected to tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t eaten out in DC in a long time, so I’m unfamiliar with this. Does the waitstaff get that service fee or that a “restaurant recovery” fee?

Restaurant recovery fee is not my problem.

The restaurant can raise prices if they need to.

I’m a former server. I hit 0%

Who is getting the service fee, the restaurant or the server?

It’s a mystery.