Restaurant Tipping

[Bazile]

1.What is the accepted norm nowadays as regards whether to tip or not in a restaurant .

2. if you are going to tip - what amount would be reasonable

3. If the bill has a service charge added - are you obliged to pay this service charge or can you ask for it to be removed

[ChuckFickens]

1) tip if good service, don't for bad service.

2) 10-15%

3) no, if the service has been poor you can reduce the bill by the amount of the service charge.

[ummmm]

You can even get away with not paying for the meal....OH is great at that.

[Bazile]

Thanks

Just to clarify

If the bill has a service charge - are you expected to tip as well ?

[pastafreak]

Here is an article that describes the most recent legislation regarding tipping and service charges. It seems restaurants will now be obliged to pass on all tips,which will also be taxed.
I would think if you have had a particularly good waiter/ess, then tip them directly,and hopefully it will not then be dispersed amongst a dozen or more staff. This is important if the service was good,yet the food may not have been....they are two separate things.

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../business/8281191.stm

[piggynose]

ummmmm, is your oh a copper?