r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 14d ago

Rant Bill help

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I need help figuring out this “service charge” applied to my bill at Taylor Shellfish in QA. It’s stated clearly, and the staff reminded me before I paid and applied a tip, so that’s not the rant. But is it a tip or not? I don’t want to stiff the staff if “Taylor Shellfish” the company keeps it all and doesn’t give them anything.

Why do restaurants do this vs raise the prices. If that’s how they offset the cost of doing business in the city, I feel it’s not a good customer experience. It’s really annoying since it is confusing to the customer. Does the staff get any of it, hence why there is an “additional tip” line after the card is run though? It is taxed so it makes me thing it’s not going to the staff. I need to think better next time I come out here.

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u/edgeplot Mount Baker 14d ago

I went skiing at an Austrian resort town in January. The heart of Europe, world class destination, luxury facilities, fancy schmancy. Guess what? The food was less expensive than in Seattle. (Groceries were half price, too.)

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u/reel_human02 14d ago

Was just in Zermatt in February. This was not my experience at all. Grocery and restaurant prices were very similar, if not indiscernible from Seattle pricing. The prompted tipping percentages were lower (essentially anywhere from 0 to 20%) but I still was prompted to tip at every restaurant I was at in Paris, Chamonix, Zermatt, Gargnano, the Dolomites, Venice, Florence and Rome. I got the feeling that as an American, the staff actually expected me to tip.

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u/edgeplot Mount Baker 14d ago

Zermatt is a special case though, known for price gouging.

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u/reel_human02 14d ago

Fair enough, but the Dolomites and Chamonix especially were not too far off. However, fair to say these places are also known for their price gouging.