Service charge leaves many restaurant-goers confused

CHENNAI: It is a choice that leaves many customers puzzled at the end of a meal. With most restaurants levying a service charge of 5% to 10%, customers say they are unsure whether to tip the waiter in addition to paying the charge.Most eateries resort to a blanket service charge to compensate for paltry tips received by the staff, say industry people. But this practice, which has been in existence for more than three years in the city, runs into trouble when customers miss the fine print or are unhappy with the service. "As most restaurants have a service charge, I tip only if I am happy with the service," says Parvathi A, a marketing professional.T Natarajan, honorary secretary of The South India Hotels & Restaurants  Association, says that it is not illegal to levy the charge. "But, if there is a service charge, it should be displayed clearly, especially on the menu," he says.Service charge, unlike the service tax levied by the government, is collected by individual managements from customers for services provided. "It is often the frontline staff like waiters who get tips while those employed in the kitchen and others hardly get any," says Natarajan. The service charge collected is distributed among all staff, usually after taking into account break-ages and other damages, he says.Prakash Kumar, partner of Eatalica, a chain of restaurants, says most of his customers do not tip as they know that the restaurant collects a 5% service charge. But, according to Ashwin Kumar, head of a branding consultancy, what makes a difference is the quality of service. "Food is a personal experience and if somebody goes out of the way to make it special, I leave a tip," says Kumar.There are many more Restaurants in India which are taking service ChargesBut there are a few places in the city where tipping is not encouraged. "We have been trying to ensure from the beginning that the service is good whether or not we get tips," says Harris Abdulla of Fruit Shop on Greams Road, a fresh fruit juice chain. Having the 'no tip' policy has only increased the goodwill and appreciation, says Abdulla. In worst case scenarios, when patrons insist on tipping, the staff brings out a donation box. "Customers can donate to a charity that we support. It avoids embarrassment for both par-ties," he says. Explore more  Italian Restaurants in Delhi, Chinese Restaurants South Indian, Continental Restaurants.
Source "TOI"