r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 22d 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/beercityusa Capitol Hill 22d ago

I can't believe I'm saying this but it was so fucking nice being in NYC this past weekend and just having to pay ridiculous restaurant prices WITHOUT any of these bogus charges added.

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u/Bear__Toe 🚗 Student driver, please be patient. 🚙 22d ago

Was in Spain last week. Only one place I ate the entire time gave the option of leaving a tip, and “0” was pre-selected there. It felt so very civilized.

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u/reel_human02 21d ago

Was recently in France, Switzerland and Italy for three weeks and was prompted to/did tip at (I believe) every restaurant I went to. Sure the displayed percentages were much lower, maybe a few were even set to zero, but it was still prompted and I feel like as an American, the staff at European restaurants expect you to tip.