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'Service' fee doesn't go to those who serve

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Restaurants add 10pc, but it's not for the staff

It is a question one restaurateur has asked himself on more than one occasion when he feels guilty tallying up another substantial month's takings at his upscale restaurant on the south side of Hong Kong Island.

Since his establishment has hit the big time, HK$300,000 of the HK$3 million turnover comes from the 10 per cent service charge on the end of every bill.

'That 10 per cent doesn't go directly to my staff and I know for a fact it's the same just about everywhere,' he said.

'I do wonder how much better the service would be if the charge was going straight into the pockets of those waiting tables, but you can't really speak out about it because everyone else is charging it, too.'

The misleadingly named service charge also bugs the manager of an upmarket Central bar and restaurant, where the clientele are not shy about splashing out big money on French champagne or a round of Japanese steaks.

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