Part 6/11:
In Singapore, a 10% service charge is customary and intended to cover operational costs like table setup, cleaning, and staff wages. However, many consumers are unaware of what exactly this fee covers and whether it includes free water. Some argue that water should be included within this charge, considering Singapore’s safe tap water, which is drinkable directly from the tap.
Food blogger Leslie Tay shares his frustration with instances where restaurants charge separately for services like "cakeage" (a fee for bringing your own cake) and question whether service charges genuinely contribute to the service quality. He points out that in countries like Australia and Japan, tap water comes free as part of the service, reflecting different cultural expectations.