The bill already has "10% Service Charge." Do I still need to tip the waiter?
We had dinner at a nice restaurant in Galle Fort. The bill included a 10% Service Charge (SC) and government taxes.
The waiter still hovered around looking for a tip. Does the Service Charge actually go to the staff? Or should I leave cash on the table too?
1 Answer
This is a hotly debated topic, even among locals.
The Theory: Legally/Technically, the 10% Service Charge is supposed to be pooled and distributed to all staff (waiters, kitchen, cleaners) at the end of the month.
The Reality: In many management-run hotels/restaurants, the owners keep a portion (or all) of it to cover "breakages" or profits. The staff often don't see the full amount.
The Custom: If the service was good, we usually leave a small cash tip (LKR) directly to the waiter.
Lunch/Cafe: Leave the small change (100-200 LKR).
Dinner: An extra 500 – 1,000 LKR handed directly to your server is very appreciated and ensures he actually gets money to take home that night.
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