Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has revealed the truth about discretionary service charges - and many are shocked.
In what he thought was a simple Twitter poll, the 47-year-old asked his followers if they always paid service charges added to their bills, or if they took them off.
Hundreds responded, with many saying they had no idea you did not have to pay it.
He tweeted: "If there is a 'discretionary service charge' added to your bill in a restaurant, do you always pay it, or do you ever take it off or pay less?"
One Twitter user said: "Can you actually ask for these to be taken off?!?!"
Marin replied: "Yes."
Others were just as surprised, and one said: "I did not know this! I hate it when they add it on without asking me."
Another said: "Always paid it, but didn't realise it was optional, in future I'll be asking for it to be removed! Never presume your service has been excellent!!"
A fourth added: "I think it's taking a massive liberty to automatically add "Gratuity" to a bill - I will tip the staff that serve me directly if I feel they have gone beyond 'doing their job'".
What is a discretionary service charge?
A discretionary service charge is an amount of money added to your bill for the work the person serving you has done.
It is automatically added, but should be shown on your bill as a separate item.
You can decide to have it removed and tip the amount you feel is appropriate, or not tip at all.
