SERVICE CHARGE NOT FUNCTIONING

The majority of restaurants oppose the idea of the government. One of the ’one hundred steps’ advertised in advance seems to have toppled: only an insigificant number of restaurants have introduced the service charge since October 1 according to the latest survey of the Trade Association of Restaurateurs.

The questionnaire was sent to 400 restaurants two weeks ago and so far 85 answers have come back and only three restaurants have applied the new fee. The purpose of the measure was to tax the extra income of tips, too, but the service charge is compulsory while tips are given for a satisfactory service. In Hungary tipping has become generally accepted and it has become a practice that waiters get a minimal wage and the rest is covered by tips.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó