Quote:
Originally Posted by RickOShay
Even so, its just standard. Lots of bars have a cover charge in different places around the world, and you have to pay that. Just think of it like a cover. Basically, if you go to a bar and they drop something in front of you that you did not ask for, you will be paying the seat charge. You can avoid this charge by doing nomihoudai (all you can drink deals) or set courses though at some izakayas. Also if you look around you can find bars that you basically just order at the counter and you probably will not have seat charge at those type of places.
In any case why would you not tip? In places that one tips the wait staff they typically make like 3 bucks an hour, and depend upon the tips of their customers. I mean would you really not tip?? Even if the service is horrible I will still leave 10%. You are just a total ass if you don't in my opinion. So yeah you are right, tipping is optional, like being kind and courteous. You don't have to, but if you don't people will think you are a jerk-off.
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Where I come from countries have union agreements, minimum wage laws, etc... people working in restaurants and pubs aren't making awesome money but they can survive just fine.
Tips should be just that, tips, given if the service was particularly good or if you've a particularly large bill (its just dickish to pay for a £96 meal with friends then sit around waiting for your £4 back, even if the service wasn't that great).
When somewhere includes a service charge they're just being knobs, so overly presumptious on your tip. It also really reduces the incentive for the staff to actually provide good service if they're getting their tip anyway.
I've never encountered a bar with a cover charge elsewhere in the world- unless this bar had live music or naked ladies or somesuch.
And...yep. In this occasion I thought it was one of those order at the counter bars. It really was just the bar which had a few seats at it then two little tables .