Service charges are a needless Western habit

Photo: File photo/The Star

THE Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association president announced recently that their members will increase their service charge from 10% to 15% for the first two days of the lunar new year, on Jan 29 and 30. He also said his members were free to impose service charges at their discretion.

The service charge is not a government tax. Collection of a service charge started as tips for workers. Tipping was initially not a common practice in Malaysia, but it has become more widespread over the years.