DC restaurant service fee

[Anonymous]

Where the guides from the 80s%? 20% has been the standard for decades now

According to what reputable source? And why would it increase? Food prices have increased with (and probably faster than) inflation.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that the service fee is shared among all employees. If you want more $ to go to the server, add a tip which goes directly to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that the service fee is shared among all employees. If you want more $ to go to the server, add a tip which goes directly to them.

Nope. 20% total. Do not care how it is split. You ain't getting a dime more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don’t see what’s wrong with a 20% service fee if it goes to the server.

I do. It's a hidden fee that should be included in the cost of the food. And, unlike a regular tip, it can't be (easily) varied based upon the quality of the service. I hate tipping, it's a terrible system, but it is the one that we have. Expecting a regular tip is fine, but adding bogus non-negotiable fees is not. I don't go to hotels that have "destination fees" or "resort fees" either, for the same reason. It's dishonest.

And 20% is on the high end of tips. Every etiquette guide that I have read suggests that 15-20% is normal, assuming decent service. I have no idea why anyone would tip 20% for "average" service. That is crazy.

Where the guides from the 80s%? 20% has been the standard for decades now

No. 15% really is normal. 20% should be for outstanding service. And I'm a millennial.

[Anonymous]

I fell for this once OP and double tipped. It is really deceptive. Also, if employees know they automatically get 20%, they can and do ignore you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don’t see what’s wrong with a 20% service fee if it goes to the server.

I do. It's a hidden fee that should be included in the cost of the food. And, unlike a regular tip, it can't be (easily) varied based upon the quality of the service. I hate tipping, it's a terrible system, but it is the one that we have. Expecting a regular tip is fine, but adding bogus non-negotiable fees is not. I don't go to hotels that have "destination fees" or "resort fees" either, for the same reason. It's dishonest.

And 20% is on the high end of tips. Every etiquette guide that I have read suggests that 15-20% is normal, assuming decent service. I have no idea why anyone would tip 20% for "average" service. That is crazy.

Where the guides from the 80s%? 20% has been the standard for decades now

No. 15% really is normal. 20% should be for outstanding service. And I'm a millennial.

You are a cheap a$$.

[Anonymous]

I asked my server about this over the weekend and she said it did not go to the servers. So I tipped on top of it but felt ripped off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen one in DC for a long time. You must eat out a lot of or near Spring Valley. Service fee is the tip if it's that 18-20%. If it's 3%, it's he covid left over one they haven't removed yet.

You can ask them to remove it.. It's annoying they keep having this and is just an extra tax they invent. Some are now being creative and call it an "employee health plan" or something like this. I just prefer to have it all included in the food price and see it upfront and then tip later.

I think service fee is technically a tip restaurants include to make sure people compensate their employees appropriately as not everyone tips or tips enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked my server about this over the weekend and she said it did not go to the servers. So I tipped on top of it but felt ripped off

Where does it go then? It's 20%, that's a tip. She is either lying or it's time to talk to the owner. It's gotta be illegal to have such a huge surcharge not disclosed upfront and only presented to you after you finish eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked my server about this over the weekend and she said it did not go to the servers. So I tipped on top of it but felt ripped off

If the server works at a restaurant that charges 20% service charge, none of which goes to the servers, then (s)he is free to find a better place of employment.

[Anonymous]

I’ve recently seen in a couple of restaurants the disclosure of the 20% service fee on the menu with a note that this is NOT a tip. I think in Maydan and also Perrys. It is very off-putting.
Restaurants don’t include it in the price of the food because then people wouldn’t eat there as the prices would look too expensive. In other words, the only way the industry works is through bait and switch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don’t see what’s wrong with a 20% service fee if it goes to the server.

I do. It's a hidden fee that should be included in the cost of the food. And, unlike a regular tip, it can't be (easily) varied based upon the quality of the service. I hate tipping, it's a terrible system, but it is the one that we have. Expecting a regular tip is fine, but adding bogus non-negotiable fees is not. I don't go to hotels that have "destination fees" or "resort fees" either, for the same reason. It's dishonest.

And 20% is on the high end of tips. Every etiquette guide that I have read suggests that 15-20% is normal, assuming decent service. I have no idea why anyone would tip 20% for "average" service. That is crazy.

Where the guides from the 80s%? 20% has been the standard for decades now

No. 15% really is normal. 20% should be for outstanding service. And I'm a millennial.

You are a cheap a$$.

And you’re an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked my server about this over the weekend and she said it did not go to the servers. So I tipped on top of it but felt ripped off

Idiot

[Anonymous]

I avoid going out because of all the ridiculous fees and guilt tripping. I also pay cash at take out places because I'm sick of them rotating the screen around and presenting me with a tip screen....for a cup of coffee or pastry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No tip on top of a service fee.

+10