Finally, meritocracy tipped to win

Neil Armstrong would certainly have described this move as 'One small step for meritocracy, one giant leap against mediocrity'. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) - a body that, since July 2020, promotes, protects, and enforces the rights of consumers, and punishes those trying to hoodwink them - issued guidelines on Monday that include doing away with the default 'service charge' in restaurants, hotels, and bars. So, finally, the pleased customer and the dissatisfied customer won't be paying the same tip.

The universal unsaid rule of a 10% tip is the golden mean for those with some notion of quality and taste. Splendid service - whether at a dhaba or a fine-dining restaurant - can, and should, get extra plaudits via the tips one leaves. Horrible service should result in none.

This discretionary method of giving constructive feedback is the bedrock of quality control, and is not confined to eating out. Whingers will, of course, point out that restaurants will simply up their rates to factor in the now unlawful mandatory service charge.


If the pickings and setting is good, then the customer will shrug off the increased prices as a price to pay for quality. And, if bad, well, market forces will dictate that she will not return to the establishment, and spread the word of its poor service. Bas, a tipping point has been reached.