Service charge/tip

[Blake]

I tried a west end establishment that promotes itself as a high end Italian and pizza restaurant. The meal was good, but did not meet my expectations based on the high menu prices (just my subjective opinion).

Just because it's your opinion doesn't mean you're the only one having it or that you're not right.

When the bill came it had tax and service charge added to it. I asked the manager to explain the service charge. He said it pays for such as laundering the napkins, and that it was not a tip. (He did not say it pays a stipend to the laundry workers).

So ladies and gentlemen what exactly is a service charge for? If the manager is lying, that's terrible customer service. If he's telling the truth, then why not name it a linen tax.

The problem is that if you ask 10 Jamaicans what a service charge is for they'll give you 10 different answers.

Needless to say, I was less than satisfied with his explanation, I left a tip for our server, and have not returned to that establishment. What's the big deal?

The big deal is that you're letting them walk all over you, the big deal is that you'll never return to that establishment, which means they failed at making you a repeat customer.

The big deal is that countries like Japan have incredible customer service experiences and prohibit Gratuity/service charges!

The big deal is that bad restaurants love people like you that will pay, tip, and leave; and they bank on millions more people like you coming along to keep justifying their prices, their lack of service, and to keep them afloat.

[Marko]

great and informative thread........nice mon
thanks to Rob and Bnewb for being on point...........and boardies

The big deal is that you're letting them walk all over you, the big deal is that you'll never return to that establishment, which means they failed at making you a repeat customer.

most bonafide Jamaican establishments don't walk all over their patrons.....
usually they do everything but......

the last two months mi have been in Negril twice and really enjoyed all the different establishments.....
and the ones I really enjoy a lot......the servers and bartenders get the bigger tips......
and I have no problem tipping 20+ percent on the bill/tab on top of the tax and service charge.....
afterall how many times do we go on vacation in our lifetime.......not usually very much......
so giving out a few extra dollars isn't going to break the bank for most of us.......
if it does........maybe you should wait till you have more dollars so you can really enjoy that vacation and not worrying about how much everything is going to cost you........
mi can't really expound or say enuff how much the Jamaicans really depend on your tips.......
sometimes it's the difference between being able to buy food for the family and not......
trust mi on that

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Blake]

g
most bonafide Jamaican establishments don't walk all over their patrons.....
usually they do everything but......

Sure, but there is no correlation between good service and getting tipped. The tipping culture is actually a rarity globally, the majority of the countries provide great service and the servers don't have to worry about going to bed hungry.

and I have no problem tipping 20+ percent on the bill/tab on top of the tax and service charge.....
afterall how many times do we go on vacation in our lifetime.......not usually very much......

Do you tip 20%+ regardless of the service quality? If so why not just have the restaurant increase prices by 20%.

I go on vacations quite a bit, that doesn't mean I throw logic out of the window.

so giving out a few extra dollars isn't going to break the bank for most of us.......
if it does........maybe you should wait till you have more dollars so you can really enjoy that vacation and not worrying about how much everything is going to cost you........

It won't break the bank but I believe in fiscal responsibility, when I'm on vacation I don't worry about how much everything is going to cost but I don't believe I need to open my wallet and empty it just because I'm on vacation.

mi can't really expound or say enuff how much the Jamaicans really depend on your tips.......
sometimes it's the difference between being able to buy food for the family and not......
trust mi on that

But does that really help things in the long run? I have no problem with Jamaicans getting paid fairly and getting compensated the right way, I have a problem with tourists getting guilt tripped into opening their wallet.

For what it's worth I spend over 30% of my post-tax profits from our company on initiatives to end hunger and promote education. I'm far from stingy when it comes to trying to help others, I just disagree that tipping is the most efficient or even a credible way to promote change.