Is it any wonder that service standards can be downright abysmal here compared to years past, when you have someone on a miminimal wage, poorly trained and even if they do make an effort, the service charge goes straight into the owners back pocket.

I had this conversation with a manager at an un named restaurant. He gave me some bulls..t it was used to cover wages, insurance and cpf. I told him that on that basis the next time I visited I wouldn’t use his staff, but instead shout my order directly to the kitchen, collect my own food and wash my own dishes.

Until this system changes you may as well get used to it.

I did hear that upon receiving the bill, one can cancel the svc charge which means they don’t have to pay it, though I cannot b sure if it’s true.