Restaurants

[Gonzo]

Another vote for tipping in cash. The staff generally do well out of it.

Another vote for tipping in cash.

At one Christmas dinner our team held in a private room at a restaurant we asked the waiter what happens to the "optional service charge" on the bill.

He explained that some of it is shared out among the staff and the rest is shared out among the management. We struck it off the bill and gave it to him in cash instead.

[Zippy]

Another vote for tipping in cash. The staff generally do well out of it.

[norrahe]

Pay by card, tip in cash. If it says "optional tip" I cross it off and pay what I think the tip should be depending on the quality of service.

[SueEllen]

I started tipping cash when I discovered a chain that used tips to top wages up to minimum wage and then pocketed the rest. Granted it was mainly an NI scam but it was enough for me to ensure that I always give cash tips to the waiter/ess in person.

No it happened all over the country however in England and Wales Nu Labour changed the law* so the staff have to be paid National Minimum Wage.

Unfortuantely they didn't stop restaurant owners pocketing your entire tip. So I never leave it on a card just so the restaurant staff can at least pocket some of it.

I also have massive arguments with people when we are in a group and they state there is a compulsory service charge as I won't tip a penny more. If the charge isn't compulsory I ensure the tip is more than the percentage in cash.

*Don't know about the rest of the UK

[eek]

Quite right too.

Helps stops the owner pocketing it.

BTW some restaurants do bring the card machine with the bill but they tend to be at airports and with Polish staff.

I started tipping cash when I discovered a chain that used tips to top wages up to minimum wage and then pocketed the rest. Granted it was mainly an NI scam but it was enough for me to ensure that I always give cash tips to the waiter/ess in person.

[SueEllen]

they all have those hand held chip and pin machines these days.
I tend to pay by card then leave a cash tip

Quite right too.

Helps stops the owner pocketing it.

BTW some restaurants do bring the card machine with the bill but they tend to be at airports and with Polish staff.

[Spacecadet]

I always pay cash in restaurants, I don't trust people who earn NMW with my card especially when they wonder off with it.

they all have those hand held chip and pin machines these days.
I tend to pay by card then leave a cash tip

[gingerjedi]

I always pay cash in restaurants, I don't trust people who earn NMW with my card especially when they wonder off with it.

[eek]

It's to give the permies time to argue over who had an extra diet coke and a side salad.

Considering you went to Pizza hut that shouldn't be an issue.

[Pondlife]

It's to give the permies time to argue over who had an extra diet coke and a side salad.

[minestrone]

IT is meant to give you time to check that they have not charged you for something you never ordered. Or do the go dutch calculation.

[Spacecadet]

When will they start learning to bring a card machine with the bill?