The other one I'm seeing lately is a semi-stealth "service charge" on the bill. Something like 18% to 20% added to the bill without really standing out. This used to be something they'd do for "larger parties", but now I'm seeing it even when I'm eating solo.
This makes for an uncomfortable situation where I now have to ask the waiter or bartender if they receive this as a tip. Then I need to decide if I want to tip something like 5% to 7% extra, which would be a good 25% tip in total, but looks like a crappy 5% tip.
So after dealing with that, I just don't go back to those pubs or restaurants.
There was one bar where the waitress told me she doesn't get that service charge. It just goes to the house. So if she was telling the truth, all of the prices on the menu are just a lie.
This makes for an uncomfortable situation where I now have to ask the waiter or bartender if they receive this as a tip. Then I need to decide if I want to tip something like 5% to 7% extra, which would be a good 25% tip in total, but looks like a crappy 5% tip.
So after dealing with that, I just don't go back to those pubs or restaurants.
There was one bar where the waitress told me she doesn't get that service charge. It just goes to the house. So if she was telling the truth, all of the prices on the menu are just a lie.