How restaurants and dining actually work here service charge ordering rice and curry packets and portions
I want to dine confidently not fumble the etiquette How does eating out actually work here is there a service charge added or do I tip on top (the tipping threads cover tips but not the dining mechanics) how does ordering rice and curry work do you share dishes what is a rice packet versus a sit down meal are portions huge how does paying work and is there a difference between a local eatery a tourist restaurant and a hotel People who eat out here a lot please explain the dining system
5 Answers from travellers
Hospitality manager so the dining system explained Service charge and tax at proper restaurants and hotels expect a service charge (often ten percent) AND government taxes added to the bill so the menu price is not the final price check the bill at a small local eatery there is no service charge and you just pay the simple price tipping on top at a place that already added service charge a little extra for good service is kind but not obligatory at a local place rounding up is appreciated (the tipping threads) How rice and curry works the heart of it a rice and curry is ONE meal a mound of rice surrounded by several curries (a protein plus several vegetable curries sambol papadam) it is designed as a complete plate for one not a set of dishes to share at a local place you often get an unlimited or generous helping of the accompaniments it is filling and cheap the RICE PACKET (lunch packet) is the takeaway version rice and curries wrapped in paper a brilliant cheap portable lunch grab one for a few hundred rupees Sharing versus individual rice and curry is individual BUT a spread of other dishes (devilled this kottu hoppers short eats seafood) is often shared family style ask the waiter how a dish comes Portions generally generous especially local food you will rarely leave hungry order less than you think and add more The three tiers LOCAL eatery (the rice and curry shop the kade) cheap authentic no frills no service charge TOURIST restaurant (the cafes in the traveller towns) wider menu higher prices service charge added HOTEL dining (buffets and fine dining) priciest service charge and tax all genuine just different so the system check for the added service charge and tax on smarter bills treat rice and curry as one complete plate share the other dishes grab a rice packet for a cheap lunch and pick the tier that suits the moment
One tip at a local rice and curry place the accompaniments are often topped up freely so do not over order the rice you get more curry and sambol than you expect with the one plate it is built to fill you
The menu price is not the final price at smart places caught me out the first time the service charge and tax add up so the local rice and curry shop is not just cheaper it is also exactly what it says on the price
The lunch packet tip changed our budget a wrapped rice and curry for a few hundred rupees eaten on a beach or a train is the best cheap lunch going look for the places selling them around midday
Rice and curry is one complete plate not a sharing set the rice packet is the cheap takeaway and watch for the added service charge and tax this is exactly the dining system I wanted to understand thank you so clear
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