Imagine how FlyerTalk member RichardInSF must have felt when he was informed while dining at a steakhouse in San Francisco that “The 17% is a service charge, sir, it is not a tip.”

Apparently, for those of us who thought that a service charge imposed on dining patrons is the equivalent of being forced to leave a gratuity with a mandatory minimum, the experience of RichardInSF dictates that we look again as to what is the difference between a service charge and a tip.

If a service charge is indeed different from a tip, then what is the actual purpose of a service charge? What does a service charge cover? How much of a tip should be left in addition to a service charge?

Does all of this amount to little more than organized begging from the restaurant establishment?

…as well as taking shampoo, conditioner, tissues, lotion, shower caps, soap and other assorted items, which has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the Transportation Security Administration Takes a Powder?

Do you take hotel toiletries ?

This is a simple question from a classic FlyerTalk thread which ponders the acceptability of absconding toiletries from hotel rooms, as well as how often it can be done. Some people prefer to use their own toiletries and not to use the ones provided by the hotel property even while staying at the hotel. Others take the toiletries and donate them to their favorite charity. Still others like to use them as “back-up” toiletries in case their supply becomes depleted. Then there are those who like to use the toiletries for travel, as they are usually packaged in convenient sizes.

There is even a civil debate regarding when to take toiletries from hotel rooms — if they should be taken at all, that is — and how they are to be used.

Yours truly prefers beverages with no ice because with ice, the drink is usually too cold, there is less of the beverage to enjoy when ice is added for the same cost, the ice tends to eventually dilute the beverage as it melts, and often too much ice is added to the beverage, leaving nothing but a pile of faintly-flavored ice in the cup, glass or container.

Imagine then having the cost of ice rising – $2.50 at Morton’s in Manhattan — let alone being charged at all for ice in the first place.

The question is this: by how much is the cost of ice rising? Has it doubled, squared, or even — dare we say — cubed?!?

A website glitch (and not of the good kind) gave cavemanzk a bit of a shock when attempting a booking – $366 billion dollars fare for a few hours flying. The airline waived their usual credit card fee – it’s the least they could do.

moman p0nders the practicalities of replacing home with hotel. Some FTers have tried this and provide some interesting advice on this alternate lifestyle. Sound intriguing? Then read on.

After reading the title of this entry, you are probably wondering Since when is a Civic a Mid-Sized car?

Some FlyerTalk members are wondering the same thing.

While the Honda Civic is certainly a larger car today than it was 30 years ago, does it really qualify as a mid-sized car?

Hertz — and, apparently, other car rental companies — seem to think so…

Typically, “taking a powder” is slang for leaving, and there are many FlyerTalk members would be happy to see the Transportation Security Administration — or TSA — leave the airport security business for good.

That will not happen anytime soon.

What could happen instead is that Transportation Security Administration officers may in the near future request that a container with powder be opened in order to complete the security screening at an airport security checkpoint. There allegedly will not be a new blanket prohibition of powders like the one that is currently being enforced with liquids. Rather, one might be subjected to additional screening if one has powders or granular substances in one’s baggage…

…and you thought liquid checks were bad…

…and that stinks, according to some Delta forum FlyerTalk members.

As Seen in the Sky Club: DL’s Fake Cheese!, the “fake cheese” is actually processed cheddar cheese food.

However, FlyerTalk members did not just cheese it when that topic was exhausted, as they started slicing into other food products offered in Delta Sky Club lounges.

Is the fare offered in Delta Sky Clubs really toast, or are their stories full of holes?

When traveling in the premium cabin on a flight that offers meal service, the meal is often preceded by a hot towel service. The hot towel, usually moist, is typically used to refresh oneself before the meal.

In this classic FlyerTalk thread where FlyerTalk member whirledtraveler says I’d like it wet please, whirledtraveler laments about those times when the towel, prepared and offered to passengers in the premium class cabin by flight attendants, is dry.

sfosenkid asks how to carry on a large painting. The size and fragility creates problems – especially on small aircraft.  This discussion has me wondering what other odd or oddly-shaped carry-ons have we taken (or seen been taken) onboard?