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Fixed service charge is very common all around Europe.

• DanielStraight 13y ago
  Is it common to refuse an additional tip if offered? In my limited experience, only once has an additional small tip (such as rounding up 18.50 to 20.00 EUR) been refused.
  • antr 13y ago
    The first time I hear someone refuse a tip. While in Europe service is included in food prices, it's rare for a tip to be refused, specially when "rounding".
    • DanielStraight 13y ago
      I found it rather strange as well, but it was a pretty strange circumstance: Small restaurant, late at night, simple food, owner was just hanging out with a friend playing darts for most of the night, so probably didn't care much one way or another whether I was there eating. On top of that, it was clear I was an American and therefore might have thought tipping was effectively mandatory as in the states. Still, it was strange. Just making sure it wasn't some larger pattern that I was unaware of and that the author's refusal to accept tips at all was truly unique, or at least atypical.
• jessriedel 13y ago
  I can see the point of a fixed service charge for certain situations (e.g. large parties, or if the restaurant wants to avoid the problems with tipping like the OP) when there is an existing cultural expectation of tipping. But if there's no expectation, how can you justify the service charge? Isn't this just like when ticketmaster tacks on a surprise 20% fee at the end after you've already entered your credit card info?