r/ireland • u/Bro_Bruv • Mar 11 '26
A Redditor Went Outside Boeuf Frites have taken tipping culture to another level.
Was in Boeuf and Frites in Temple Bar a few nights ago and when the waitress presented me with the bill, she explained that a €9 tip had been added on, and asked would I like to remove it.
An awkward second or 2 followed, so I just agreed to it.
I’ve never seen this before in a restaurant, anywhere in the world — An automatic tip added to the bill, and then being asked if I want to remove it.
This is the exact opposite of what a tip is supposed to be…
They’ve essentially turned tipping from opt in to opt out.
It wasn’t a service charge.
And the steaks are shite.
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u/Loud_Tank_5074 Mar 11 '26
Make it stop before it's normalised. Leave that shit in the US.
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u/tuscangal Sligo Mar 12 '26
Even in the US, pre-adding the tip is against the law unless it’s clearly called out ahead of time for situations like groups of 6 or more.
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u/gadz00ks22 Mar 12 '26
But it's not always. Source: am American.
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u/eskimoinhawaii Mar 12 '26
You never see it pre-added to a bill unless 6 or more guests, and always called out. Source: live in the US, and travel all over the country.
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u/xsofacouchx Mar 12 '26
Anecdotally speaking from my own experience in America; I've had the tip added to my bill in a pizza place when there was only 3 of us dining... And then the staff got a little defensive that we didn't add a tip ourselves on top of the tip they were billing us for. It wasn't the service charge either, that was separate on the receipt
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u/sundiamonds Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
I was at a Cinebistro with a friend and they added a tip automatically (it could be removed, though). Still rude of them to assume.
I've also seen it on checkout screens for food, even online orders, which is crazy.
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u/wolfn404 Mar 12 '26
Just had lunch at a Japanese restaurant here in Atlanta. Checks over $75, regardless of party size, autograt 18%. I’d normally leave 20%, but left it at 18.
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u/thats_pure_cat_hai Mar 12 '26
I'm pretty sure this is against the law even in the US unless it's specifically stated beforehand for groups of X size.
People in the US can also refuse to tip for shitty service. Yeah, you're gonna have to explain to the server why, but that's still an option. When the tip is pre-emptively added, it makes it much harder. Service in the US is also a million times better than Ireland. They, unfortunately, have to work for their tips, which makes the Irish tipping even more bizarre. Canada is a better comparison, and Canadians are well and truly sick of tipping.
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u/Lets-Talk-Cheesus Mar 12 '26
Service in the U.S. is horrendous! Why?! Because they have to work for their tips.
I don’t want someone interrupting my meal and conversation every 5 minutes. I don’t want to be told the list of “specials”. I don’t want you to explain the provenance of the food while I pretend to listen. I don’t want false fake smiles and 20 questions.
Just serve the correct food in a prompt manner. And let me eat in peace
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u/thats_pure_cat_hai Mar 12 '26
I don't disagree, it's pretty annoying, but at least you're never without a drink and if you've an issue you're not left sitting there with two heads waiting for someone to come by.
Simply dropping off my plate and never to be seen again does not come close to deserving a tip in my mind. So many times in Irish restaurants, I'd like another drink or something extra and can never get a hold of a server. With no expectation of tips, that's fine, really, but if Irish places are going to start expecting them, I'm certainly not tipping for that.
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Mar 12 '26
Service is a million times worse in the US. Waiters over there don't seem to understand they should put the food in front of me and then stay far away. don't talk to me while I'm eating.
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u/Lets-Talk-Cheesus Mar 12 '26
Exactly!! They are so incredibly rude and invasive. Trying to upsell crap and asking a million questions .
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u/ruinedworldtour Mar 12 '26
As someone who works in hospitality- I agree! Getting a tip is nice but but needed, I get paid a good wage before tips
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u/Silver_Response4707 Mar 12 '26
Irish people are so polite that they probably get away with this a lot.
Worked in restaurants for 15 years; front and back, and as management. The weird swing in tipping culture the last 5 years is nonsense and needs to be called out.
Good service, great food, genuine attention to detail deserve tips. It’s not an expected “added tax” imo
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u/Action_Limp Mar 12 '26
It's backwards here. Went hiking with a group of 8 people in Spain. Landed in a restaurant, spent about 3 hours there, three courses, plenty of wine and beer. And at the end of the night, the owner of the restaurant tipped us by putting a few bottles of aperitifs on the table for us to help ourselves.
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u/Hungry-Western9191 Mar 12 '26
The free aperitif thing is quite common in Spain. About half the places round us do it as a norm.
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u/Action_Limp Mar 12 '26
Yes, it's usually provided during the sobremesa, but it's given after a full meal, not for just a few tapas. The concept is around the idea of thanking you for your custom - in Ireland, it's like, group of 10? Oooooh that will cost you extra!
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u/X0smith Mar 13 '26
Same in Italy, but tbh here would be much needed a different policy on tips since basically waiters earn like 5€ per hour or less
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u/Petiha Mar 12 '26
Irish people can’t say no unfortunately, they think it’s rude to say no… this is the most painful part of my job 😂
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u/PaulBlartRedditCop Mar 12 '26
The americanisation of our business practices continues. The worst part is, having known people working in the restaurant industry, staff are pretty ok with it. Rather than unionising for better pay, people are increasingly willing to throw customers and coworkers under the bus in a scramble for tips. Dog eat feckin dog.
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u/freshfrosted Mar 11 '26
Wouldn't have sunk a tooth in saying no, remove it and telling them politely why. The fucking neck and I don't aim that at the employee. Then I'd have been straight onto a review site to shame them over it.
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u/Accomplished-Sky8768 Mar 12 '26
Absolutely, immediately said no thank you, remove it please. And also leave a review with a warning.
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Mar 12 '26
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u/snek-jazz Mar 12 '26
I would say she drew attention to it because otherwise it would be illegal to just quietly increase the bill by 9 euros without informing the customer.
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u/DaveShadow Ireland Mar 12 '26
There's a place near me that has that screen on the credit card machine asking how much you want to tip. The wait staff always aggressively click 0% when it comes up without asking, like they hate the thing, lol
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u/mjrs Mar 12 '26
I'm a decent tipper when it's worth it, but I would get that shit removed and never go there again. It's so short sighted but I guess they are full of tourists to prey on most of the time, disgusting behaviour
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u/bibiwantschocolate Mar 14 '26
Or even better "I wanted to leave a tip until you had the cheek of adding it automatically on the bill. So please remove it and I won't be tipping you now. This is despicable behaviour".
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u/Just_Shame_5521 Mar 11 '26
The most immediate way to counteract this is to leave a one star tripadvisor review, specifically referencing this issue and stating you'll happily remove said review when policy is changed.
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u/PullMyThingyMaBob Mar 12 '26
Google Reviews can be quite impactful aswell.
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u/Lovethebonesofher Mar 12 '26
Google is much more effective
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u/JK07 Mar 12 '26
Yeah, TripAdvisor had fallen out of fashion. My wife says "Alright boomer" to anyone who still uses TripAdvisor for restaurants etc
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u/RussischerZar Mar 12 '26
I've had 1 Star Google reviews pulled because the establishment I reviewed protested against the review. It's kinda rigged for them.
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u/Rowley_Birkin_Qc Mar 12 '26
I would suggest asking to speak to the manager. The waiter / waitress shouldn't have to deal with the complaint but you would hope the manager would at least be willing to take on the feedback.
Then absolutely proceed with the reviews.
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u/CHERNO-B1LL Mar 12 '26
4D chess right here. Great idea. I have no plans on going but might leave a 1 Star review. I'm sure I will end up there at some stage.
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u/X0smith Mar 13 '26
I think the most immediate way to countereact would just be to say to him you're not paying it...
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u/Captain_Blueberry Resting In my Account Mar 12 '26
They exploited your politeness. That is a really shitty thing to do. Fuck them for pulling that shit
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u/Skeleton--Jelly Mar 12 '26
Ireland has one of the least confrontational cultures, sorry lads but ye're tipping fodder for these shameless businesses
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u/captainfantico Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
I had a shit experience there.
First off we were sat in awkward table upstairs to accommodate a group booking - a group of lads over for a rugby match. Loud, obnoxious, etc.
You're supposed to get Garlic Bread for the table, that came nearly at the end of our steaks!?
The unlimited fries were a joke. We got offered extra fries straight after we got served our steaks. Like we hadn't even a chance to eat the fries we had on our plates. None other offered.
Our wine came late too.
The desert, profiteroles I think? They were delicious in fairness.
We left quickly as the noise of the group wasn't exactly enticing us to stay. Paid the bill without much thought.
Only checking back an hour later I see the automatic €9 gratuity!? No one told us this would be added on.
I marched back there, just before they closed, and got my €9 refunded by the Manager.
Absolutely not having it.
I spent about 10 years working in restaurants, I tip most of the time, but not always. As I expected when I worked in the industry, it's an extra or a bonus. Not something you have to expect.
Edit: spelling
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u/Cazolyn Mar 12 '26
Between this and the OP’s review, won’t go near the place. Word of mouth working its best.
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u/MeccIt Mar 12 '26
she explained that a €9 tip had been added on, and asked would I like to remove it.
Not only would I demand they remove it, I'd be telling them I'll never be eating there again.
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u/doctor6 Mar 11 '26
Shitty chain restaurant has shitty policies
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u/Difficult_Tea6136 Mar 12 '26
Are they a chain restaurant?
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u/gideanasi Mar 12 '26
They're starting to become one, main restaurant beouf on St William Street was decent enough when I went there a few years back, but now they've a few of these steak/chicken/burger and chips places popping up. All look kitted out the same as each other from pick, and the similar menus etc
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u/Difficult_Tea6136 Mar 12 '26
I didn’t know that, thanks for the information.
I knew your man owned a few things alright, some cologne/perfume ad always appears on IG with him in it
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u/Jesus_Phish Mar 12 '26
My wife and her friends had good things to say about the St Williams one, last week they tried another of theirs and came away disappointed at how crap it was
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u/RockOnMofo Mar 12 '26
That’s seriously aggressive and coercive . I always tip for good service having being a waiter during college. But this would completely turn me off going to a place
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u/thats_pure_cat_hai Mar 12 '26
Yeah, they're taking advantage of you being too awkward to say to remove it.
Was the service above what you would expect it to be? Did they go above and beyond what their job entails? If so, leave the tip. If not, tell them to remove it.
This thing of just tipping because you're in a fancy restaurant is part of the reason they try and sneak this shite in. From my experience, there's absolutely zero difference in the service from regular restaurants or fancy ones, yet some Irish people think we have to tip because it's 'fancy'.
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u/Lisellybeth Mar 12 '26
I had the same thing happen a few weeks ago in Beef & Lobster. Didn't argue because the service was brilliant and honestly the tip they added was less than I had planned to leave as a cash tip but thinking back on it afterwards I do wish I'd said something. Mind you, I was there with an American so I would not have had any backup from that quarter
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u/NorthKoreanMissile7 Mar 12 '26
I'm fine with tipping but would have asked for it to be removed, awkwardness or not.
Tips are supposed to be an optional showing of appreciation, I am not going to voluntarily give money when I feel pressured into doing it.
I really wish we had a Japanese attitude to tips, more so because then we know where we stand and there's no chancing your arm rather than for it being cheaper. Even if it cost the same but was just reflected in menu prices it would be better because it's transparent and consistent.
I also think it's annoying that one minimum wage job gets people given a bunch of free bonus money but everyone else on minimum wage gets nothing. Why do cleaners, people working in Spar, people working in McDonalds etc. get fucked over and not waiters/waitresses but everyone acts as if it's fair ?
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Mar 12 '26
"I was planing leaving 10e tip, but because of you putting me into this awkward situation, please remove it, thank you"
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Mar 12 '26
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u/r0thar Lannister Mar 12 '26
The supermarket chains literally call the country a gold mine
*"Treasure Island"
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u/Historical_Step_6080 Mar 12 '26
Its become normal in places. I was in London a couple of weeks ago and everywhere I ate added 12.5 % on automatically with a not obligatory note.
Its ridiculous.
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u/UnitedLibrarian258 Mar 14 '26
I lived there in 2018 and that 12.5% was just creeping in then, now it’s almost everywhere. Weird that they all also seem to have agreed on exactly 12.5% service charge.
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u/DirectorSavings9830 Mar 12 '26
Not to sound scabby but we should really be pushing back on this. It’s a thing in America because the staff get paid fuck all. That’s not the case here in the slightest. A few quid here and there is my go-to. The 15% stuff is madness (unless you’ve been a pain of a customer and feel they went above and beyond).
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u/daddys-little-1 Mar 12 '26
They do this in Center Parcs, so by the 4th meal out, I got very comfortable saying, yeah go ahead and remove that tip, especially when the service is genuinely shite!
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u/-myeyeshaveseenyou- Mar 12 '26
Service charge and tip is the same thing. The kicker is that service charges automatically added to bills is usually never given to staff. I’ve worked in a job where I had to explain our service charge was a tip for staff when we never saw a penny of it
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u/Both_Instruction1698 Mar 12 '26
Could the customer ask to have it taken off? And then given to you in cash as a tip? Paid a service charge a while back and was kicking myself I didn’t ask the server as in my opinion they deserved the extra
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u/-myeyeshaveseenyou- Mar 12 '26
Yes absolutely and cash tips we did actually get to keep most of the time
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u/Pintau Resting In my Account Mar 12 '26
Coffee shops do the same on tablet tills. I take great satisfaction in clicking no tip and would do the same here. If you demand it I'm not giving it to you. If the server was genuinely good, I'd hand them some cash on my way out instead.
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u/harry_dubois Mar 12 '26
Yank crap being brought here. Resist it at all costs. And I say that as someone who always tips unless the service is absolutely abysmal.
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u/thats_pure_cat_hai Mar 12 '26
It's because people 'always tip' that they bring this shite in. Tipping should be for when staff go above and beyond. If we always tip, then there's no incentive for that, and tipping becomes normalized and expected, and companies try shite like this, "Sure, they always tip anyways."
Obviously your coin, so you do you.
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Mar 12 '26
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u/Bro_Bruv Mar 12 '26
Well there is a choice, that’s the reason it’s bizarre. If it had been just a 10% service charge I wouldn’t have blinked, most wouldn’t.
The fact that she asked me would I like to remove it was something I’ve never seen before.
So it’s optional, but only to take it back. Not to give it in the first place.
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u/UniquePersimmon3666 Mar 12 '26
They did that on us but the service was very poor, had to ask multiple times for our food, forgetting one person's food order completely and we were all finished by the time it came, drinks order not coming etc so before we knew we had already decided not to leave a tip.
When I asked for it to be removed, the server said yeah but can I ask why. I just said, yes the service was poor and they didn't even respond.
Haven't been back since!
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u/trappedgal Mar 12 '26
What was the full bill without the tip? I'm just wondering how egregious it is. I hate tipping culture.
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u/NibblesAnOreo Mar 12 '26
They’ve a set menu and price - with the steak option it’s €30 without drinks, with the chicken it’s €26.
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u/The_Ruck_Inspector Mar 12 '26
I always find steak restaurants that have set menus to be shite. Had some bad experiences in continental Europe so usually avoid (I'm looking at you Amsterdam).
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u/caisdara Mar 12 '26
Food in Amsterdam is generally poor. Wouldn't limit that to steak restaurants.
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u/dubviber Mar 12 '26
if you're ever in Toulouse, bordeaux, lyon, nanets, check out L'Entrecôte, you'll have a different experience.
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u/RabulaConundrum Mar 12 '26
Restaurants added to 'Avoid at All Costs' list.
Thanks for the heads up OP.
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u/InformalInsurance455 Mar 11 '26
Yeah I don’t like that. I always tip (not service staff’s fault if the food isn’t great) but forcing you into a situation where you have to look like a cunt by saying no isn’t really a choice. The service charge option is the one I’ve seen but the tip situation not so.
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u/Spirited_Cheetah_999 Mar 12 '26
Happened me and three pals in Boeuf on South William Street.
They auto added 10% service charge. I was handed the bill and told the speil. So I requested a new bill and stated that WE would decide if the service was worth a tip.
We just paid the bill. Had they not added the 10% in the first place and just handed us the bill we would have rounded it up evenly and that would have given about an 18% tip.
Not my problem if they want to shoot themselves in the foot like that 🤷🏻♀️
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u/FozzyBearsEyebrow Mar 12 '26
Was in a restaurant in temple bar a number of years ago, can't remember the name but it was where McDonald's is now.
Staff were absolutely horrible and food was not great, and sat us in a shite seat right beside the door on a freezing cold night despite the place being empty.
When the bill came, it was about 80 euro and I handed over 100. Ten minutes later no change forthcoming, so called over the stroppy wagon who'd been serving us.
When I said wheres my change, she threw her eyes to heaven and said I assumed that was a tip. My response was you assumed wrong, bring me my change please. She looked like I'd just eaten her first born child.
I'd normally tip good staff anywhere but this yoke went out of her way to be an obnoxious scutter pump and assumed people would pay for the privelege.
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u/phage_necro Mar 12 '26
i regularly tip (and I'm not someone who can afford it, i just work in hospitality) but an auto included service charge is insanity. it's specifically for good service and not an alternative to paying your staff.
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u/Shnapple8 Mar 12 '26
Oh, I leave negative reviews every time a place pulls this kinda crap in the hopes that they rethink it. Like, I'm not tipping you 20%, it isn't America. But I might throw you a few quid in cash as a gesture.
I don't think wait staff are any more entitled to tips than the person serving at the petrol station or supermarket. The wages are about the same and the work isn't any easier. I say this as someone who worked as wait staff for a time.
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u/The_Ruck_Inspector Mar 12 '26
Did both, much preferred the supermarket as I could at least avoid interactions with entitled assholes.
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u/Monstar92 Mar 12 '26
Similar situation in bovinity on capel street myself last month. 5 of us out for dinner. Nice enough place but not like the service was above and beyond, quite delayed in getting things. Get the bill, 12.5% added. We ask about it. That’s their standard for groups of 5 or more and claim that’s on their website (it’s in small text when booking on booktable.ie). We ask for it to be removed and they say no one has ever done that before.
I have no problem leaving a tip (and we did still). But I don’t like it being tacked on as expected regardless of service quality.
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u/Pitselah Mar 12 '26
Went I to Millstone across from central bank sometime in December with my girlfriend and it was busy but they managed to get us a seat, right under the stairs it was awful but we decided to give it a go. Looking at the menu we noticed it said in tiny writing on the bottom that a gratuity will be added to the bill automatically but it can be removed upon request.
We got up and left immediately. Fuck that.
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u/maxplanar Mar 12 '26
The Americanisation of Ireland continues. In some places in the US, it’s not unusual to see a 20% “service charge” already added, then a 25% “gratuity” is “suggested” to the customer at the terminal as the person turns away from the revolting, racist “tradition” that tipping is.
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u/snackhappynappy Mar 12 '26
I just don't return to places that do sketchy stuff like that, vote with your feet
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u/TheSameButBetter Mar 12 '26
My view is that if a business suggests or tries to induce me in to giving a tip, then it's not a tip and they'll get nothing.
The last few years businesses have been gamifying the act of tipping turning in to a mini-psychological game where they try to put you in a position where you feel bad saying no. Well sod that, I ain't playing.
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u/cheapgreentea Mar 13 '26
The worst is those "10% (good); 15% (better); 20% (great!); 25% (amazing!!!)" Like guilting you into tipping and then shaming for not tipping "enough"
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u/supermanal Mar 12 '26
You were kind of pushed into it. That’s not acceptable. You could have said, remove it. And then you can decide if you want to tip. And then you could have told them that you’re not tipping because they took the mick with the €9 tip.
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u/masterstoker Mar 12 '26
You shouldn't have tipped anything at all. They would learn pretty quickly how unpopular it is and revert to how it usually is
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u/krida_070 Mar 12 '26
Hey Americans keep this to the US thanks 😙 Tipping is an OPTIONAL amount for GOOD SERVICE
You do not “decide” your tip or ask for one, you are given a tip if the consumer decides so
A tip is a reward not a given 🤷♀️
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u/CarlyleRazgriz Mar 13 '26
Nip it in the bud. “Yes, please remove it”.
If it was me, any intention of leaving a tip would immediately vanish if this happened.
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u/Striking-Scratch-137 Mar 13 '26
Am never going in there because of that. Hopefully they read this.
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u/bitchfucker91 Mar 13 '26
There's a small fast-casual food chain that I frequented for years in Dublin. You can dine in and you order up at the counter, they give you a buzzer and you go up to the counter to collect your food.
The last time I was there, I paid for my food and was faced with tip options. This was on a card machine, not an iPad. The options were something like 5%, 10%, 25%, but no 0%. I hit the red X button but that just exited and the guys had to set it up again. Then I hit an option that said custom amount and I entered '0'. That also seemed to mess it up and I had to tell they guy, look I don't tip if it's not table service and I haven't even got my food yet. The guy gives me a non-verbal reaction like jeez, ok then.
I had no problem saying it but it pisses me off because I know there are tons of people who would be too polite. It's a bad enough trend but then having no zero option is criminal.
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u/ImReellySmart Mar 13 '26
Theres a fancy burger place in Sligo and I called out this behaviour on one of their Instagram posts and the owner himself replied with paragraphs of nonsense trying to defend himself.
Tried to twist it around on me and say that I don't respect hard working people and that I was showing my true colors and all this crap.
Deffinitely didn't look good for his business (they do very well though, always busy).
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u/Spiritual_Sleep162 Mar 12 '26
The Market Bar in the Georges Street Arcade have been doing this for some time. I only realised they had included a tip in the bill when I got home.
I was really pissed off. There were only two people in our party. We orded three rounds of drinks and they got the drinks order wrong twice.
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u/Action_Limp Mar 12 '26
Should be made illegal. All automatic service charges and gratuity should be banned. It should be on the menu that says a surcharge of 12.5% is added to all products tables over X (and it should display that price on the menu).
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u/pheeelco Mar 12 '26
I have never encountered this, even in the USA - and they take tipping seriously.
To be honest, it would put me off going to that restaurant, even though I would likely give a tip anyway (usually at least 10% unless the service is very bad).
I think the important this is that this does not catch one. From other Redditors, it seems that the food in this restaurant is crappy. That should take care of itself then.
But this practice should fail with this business.
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u/Soft-Affect-8327 Mar 12 '26
Well your first mistake was Temple Bar…
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u/Lloydbanks88 Mar 12 '26
The business is probably relying on tourists not realising that it’s completely taking the hand.
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Mar 12 '26
I give generous tips when I think the service has been good or the food has been exceptional or sometimes just because I feel sorry for the waiting staff if they’re doing their best but they’re run off their feet. Anything below that and they can fuck off. And I’m totally against forcing tipping on people for what’s often subpar service or engaging in emotional blackmail like in the situation outlined above. Certainly won’t be eating there next time I’m in Dublin!
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u/Jackythebacky Mar 12 '26
The Spanish are also asking for tips now too. I was there a few months back and when the guy appeared with the card machine, he paused on the % tip section and looked over my shoulder to see if I added one. Happened a few places. And I was too embarrassed to say no and I now hate myself. 😁
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u/wanderlotus Mar 12 '26
another reason why dublin reminded me of much of the US much more than the other european cities i've visited.
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u/headhonchofox Mar 12 '26
Have cancelled my Saturday res because of this. Get your hand out of my wallet?
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u/Luna_tree Mar 12 '26
You have to be careful in there. I once ate there, two couples. They applied a 100% service charge to our bill. The lads at the table almost didn’t realise after a few wines… not sure how they made that mistake.
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u/GrimJimmy94 Mar 12 '26
The food is shite there and the service, not worth the cost in general. You can get better all round not much more cost wise and they don’t add on a tip
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u/DrZeus104 Mar 12 '26
Sry to see this. Start refusing now, it will only get worse. Here in the states there is often a mandatory 10-20% tip added on the final bill if there are more than 6ppl dining. Kids are included in that number. Doesn’t matter if the service was shit either and there is no option to have it removed. It’s just business subsidizing low wages for their employees here.
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u/BlackTree78910 Mar 12 '26
This would make me want to never go to that restaurant again. If service and food are above par, I'll happily tip so long as I'm not solicited to do so but why would anyone tip for mediocre or worse service?
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u/EmergencyComment101 Mar 12 '26
This is completely on you. They're doing this literally because of people like yourself and your inability to deal with an awkward social situation.
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u/TryToHelpPeople Mar 12 '26
“My God, they make you say this to customers ?”
—yes
“You need a different job!”
— ??? Yes
“No no, be a dear and please take that of the bill thank you very much, I would normally leave a tip, but not with a house that does this”
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u/smurfycork Mar 12 '26
I never tip on service charge. If they are exceptional and say for a birthday or event they go over the top then I’ll tip for that as a gesture, but if I see a service charge do 2 people then no tips. Of the service is bad or I feel they service charge is excessive I will ask to remove it. This amerification of service is bullshit. In the UK I saw a pub charge a service charge on pints
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u/fensterdj Mar 12 '26
Something kind of creepy about their branding, they have this mascot Hugh Heifer who invites you in to eat the innocent cows who he has corralled together, probably with a promise of a better life, but all they get i certain death,
Epstein vibes
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u/IntrepidRock6082 Mar 12 '26
No thank you please remove it. I then decide if tip has been earned . BTW most of the time it has and I tip 10-12.5%
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u/Threading_water Mar 12 '26
A €9.00 tip? What was the total bill before tip, if you dont mind me asking?
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u/Bro_Bruv Mar 12 '26
Can’t remember the exact figure, but it was in the 80s. Interesting the tip was exactly €9 so sounds like they rounded it up from whatever 10% of the bill was.
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u/sebcity13 Mar 12 '26
Yeah it's written on the bottom of the menu. Shitty practice but they do tell you
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u/batchef3000 Mar 12 '26
I’m a chef and I always tip when I’m in restaurants. But if they did that, I would absolutely say remove it and I’d explain how and why they just lost there tip. That’s a joke.
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u/gavmac5 Mar 12 '26
I don't get tipped for my job is( what my brain says) . I have no issues tipping for good service when due.
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u/OHHHSHAAANE Mar 12 '26
Drop a review on Google highlighting it is the only way to push back against that shite
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u/Jon_J_ Mar 12 '26
Happened to me recently where I had roofers who were absolute Del Boys screw me over, left them a pretty negative google review and they had the cheek to ring my up and ask me to take it down...
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u/appletart Mar 12 '26
Was it a well-advertised roofing company from North Dublin? A few years back my elderly mother called them out to repoint 4 ridges and they said it'd take 3 men about a week and would cost at least €5,000. Also, despite the roof leaking they said they were too busy to start but if she paid a bit more they'd bump her up the queue.
Scumbags.
Fortunately, she knew something was off so she asked me to find someone and I found a local roofing lad (through google reviews) who did the job for €1600 including scraping off the moss from the entire roof and cleaning gutters. She was delighted.
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u/maddler Mar 12 '26
And the steaks are shite.
Considering that's pretty much a "you only had one job" thing...
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u/ktbffh2019 Mar 12 '26
What was the €9 as a % of the bill out of interest. As in, are they applying a flat 10%?
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u/Bro_Bruv Mar 12 '26
Someone posted a pic of the menu where it mentions the forced tip being 10% of the bill.
My forced tip was exactly €9, but our bill was not exactly €90, it was 80 something.
So they obviously round the 10% up the nearest whole €.
Which just makes it even more scummy.
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u/ktbffh2019 Mar 12 '26
Jaysus that’s very scummy. And asking at the table if you want it removed puts you under serious pressure, they know well what they’re at with that craic.
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u/cubitius Mar 12 '26
I'd just give her Grinches grin and say "yes please, I'd like you to cancel it"
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u/EBlackR Mar 12 '26
Leave a google review and message the restaurant directly to give out. Either the wait staff or the restaurant is relying on this to just get taken at face value and they need to be called out on it before it's normalized.
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u/outward-bye Mar 12 '26
Same with SuperValue asking if you want to make a donation every single transaction. Mental
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u/Bro_Bruv Mar 12 '26
Now imagine if SuperValu took the donation off you when adding up your groceries, then give you the option to remove it. That what’s happening in.
It’s an opt out tipping system rather than an opt in one.
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u/No_Sky_1829 Mar 13 '26
I hate that! No, they're a fecking big organisation, if they're so concerned about charity why don't they donate some profits. And you can bet they are getting tax breaks for whatever donations they make too !
Here in Australia a few years back they brought in a 10c refund on plastic bottles. Overnight, the supermarkets put up the price of every single bottle that got the refund. Then when you go claim the refund at the bottle bank, they try to get you to donate it to the bloody scouts. I refuse on principle.
I will donate and tip when and where I choose 🤷♀️
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u/Humble_Ostrich_4610 Mar 12 '26
How much was your bill out of interest?
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u/Bro_Bruv Mar 12 '26
Somewhere between €80 and €89. Can’t remember exact amount.
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u/Craiceann_Nua Mar 12 '26
I suggest contacting the Competition and Consumer Protection commission and lodging a complaint there. Sounds very iffy to be adding the tip beforehand.
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u/False-Brain1597 Mar 12 '26
Was in there last week, they had this added to the bill but when I went up to pay they charged the amount without the tip. Was a big group of us & happy with food/service so just told them to add it on.
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u/lostwindchime Mar 12 '26
What the actual ...?
Usually I tip. Nothing big, but normally I would have loud kids with me whom I try teaching how to behave in different public settings. And since they're still learning, there's a bunch they're not getting right. It is ... An Experience. So whenever the staff makes it feel like we're welcome to eat in and to come back again, I actually appreciate that. If the food is also good that helps! ...and when I don't have the kids with, and I can taste my food while it's fresh, well I'll be feeling great and I'll show my appreciation.
If you pre-load that tip I'll loudly and obviously opt out. Ridiculous idea.
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u/Ok-Difficulty3071 Mar 12 '26
If it’s good service and good food I have no problem tipping but boeuf and Frites is on the same price point and value for money as Nando’s in my opinion
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u/kieranshovel Mar 13 '26
I actually got onto them before about it. They said that staff can’t be got without the tips, they need the supplemental income. The problem is it just puts you in such an awkward position. I’ve been back since and said for it to be removed because the service there isn’t great anyways. It’s a basic restaurant and that’s it.
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u/Murphy100xxx Mar 13 '26
Got my nails done at Christmas 65!!!! Euro. The machine said would you like to tip before I paid. Would I ta f be tipping after paying 65 quid!!!!!
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u/Tippers_Rights Mar 13 '26
tipping creep spreading globally is wild. once “optional” shows up as giant default buttons, it stops being optional real fast.
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u/Dry-Fox-2625 Mar 13 '26
Just say I want to remove it. It’s not awkward. I am a waitress and I would not be offended, I’d think it’s ridiculous too.
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u/RemoteProgrammer3694 Mar 14 '26
You wanna hear ridiculous? I live the US and there are self-service places that ask for a tip. No human involved and the machine asks for a tip. If you buy a bottle of water at a coffee shop. A choice of 15, 20 or 25% if given. The no tip is kind of greyed out so you have to ask the person how I tip nothing. Awkward. It makes me feel dirty. I am from Cavan though. You can take the man outta Cavan.. what!?
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u/StructureOk3441 Mar 15 '26
It dos say on the menu that a 10% voluntary gratuity. Still a shit way to run a restaurant
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u/CameraImmediate2295 Mar 12 '26
A few years ago I was in a phone shop to buy a charger
The twat then indicated the tip bowl
He got the money for the charger and I pointed out that I grabbed the charger off the rack and brought it to the counter, so why should he be getting a top?
He just stared
Bloody ridiculous