Tipping. Service Charges. Mugging?

Gordo has decided that he has to say something. It’s about time as this topic affects us all when we are out and about in bars and restaurants. It’s called tipping. Or service charges. Or is it both? Bloody hell, one thing is for sure, it’s a mess.

Some establishments tell us that the service charge is at our discretion. Gordo has been guilty of leaving without giving a tip. Not because he has had bad service, nor that he is a tightwad. But simply that he didn’t look properly. He has had terrible service and still paid 12.5% as he didn’t want to cause a row in front of his guests. He has tipped over the 12.5% (or 10%, or 15% ) because he thought that the service wasn’t included as the bill was unclear, or he thought there was a waiter or waitress who was so good he wanted to ensure they got an extra fiver or tenner.

Whatever, how bloody confusing and arcane is this system? Then there is the kicker. Some establishments actually treat the tips or service charge as part of the workers basic wage, or to pay for the linen and cutlery. Gordo is outraged at this.

And we wonder why so few staff treat the job as a professional one. Some great food is spoiling on the pass. Gordo wants this to change, what about you?

What do you think of tips, service charges and the rest? Please join the rant below, it’s easy, we want your opinions. We want your experiences. We want to suggest a universal system which allows us, the consumer, to judge how much to reward good service whilst every establishment pay a basic wage that is fair, encouraging people to want to join the food and beverage industry whilst being motivated to go the extra mile. Don’t forget, for evil men to succeed simply takes good men to do nothing.

Gordo