Service Lax @ 12.24%

2 Vodkas Rs. 320
1 Sprite Rs. 50
Total Rs. 370
VAT @ 20% Rs. 74
S. Tax @ 12.24% Rs. 45
Total Rs. 489
That would what a simple enough bill at any decent bar in Delhi would look like. ( This of course is only indicative and to initiate a thought not a comment on my binging habits. )
After paying an exorbitant amount, on a couple of drinks, which accounts for the ambience, seating and other 'services' . The amount that is most unsettling component of the entire bill happens to be the Service Tax. What is this for? It raises serious concerns in both my high spirited or sober mind. Let me shed some light.
Why Service Tax? For service or the apparent lack for it? If the charge is for excellent service then it would have been deserved and awarded as tip by any self respecting customer. If this a charge they levy for training the staff on how to serve customers, oh-so then thats so much required isn't it. Maybe they should have struck with this idea much in advance. Legally speaking it is a provision for tax collection from vendors and service providers who offer their services to an individual or organisation. Perfectly right! The sad part though is that this is very conviniently imposed onto the customer itself. Not right definitely not right and also unethical! I wish I could impose my income tax liability on my employer.
Any choice to pay or not? The possibilities existing with most other forms of taxation are on inidividual discretion whether to pay or not. But here no. Even if I am discontent with the service I have to shell out the dough.
The there is always the question whether the money actually makes it to the government coffers. To me it seems that most of it certainly does not. If restaurants evade sales tax and income tax they very clearly abstain here too. So the government has established a yet another neat mechanism for more black money generation.
The ideal legal situation - Assuming that everything functioned smoothly and all the parties involved legally fulfilled their obligations it still raises a more fundamental question perhaps the most disturbing. Whatever happened to quality?? There was a time when people across the counters would be courteous, charming and normal to deal with if not delightfully nice. On several occasions now ever more frequently I encounter rude waiters, attendants and staff. It seems to me that coming to them is a favour I do to myself. Miscalculating bills, wrong orders, late service, lack of etiquette and the worse of them all lack of knowledge are some of the problems I can recollect offhand. Two reasons I can cite: Lack of Attitudes and Lack of sincerity.
When most things come easy for people they become complacent, carefree and a sense of folly develops. People dont struggle to get into such service oriented jobs be it Call centers, reservation offices, restaurants or information kiosks. The paucity of staff in new establishments and old businesses with new ventures means that people can be demanding and afford not to enhance their skills and at the same time be arrogant enough not to pursue a corrective path. They can get away with almost any incompetency and lapse. To make matters worse, the sheer number of people representing any segment of the market is substantial to cover up any problems. Moreover, when all the players in the market are in the same category there is little the poor customer like me can ask for. Tsk, Tsk a pitiable situation.
Is there hope down the tunnel? Is there even a silver lining? Currently, since things are on a downside there doesnt seem to be but there is always hope no matter how lost a cause is. So next time I say cheers with friends...I wish to be genuinely like the ambience and remember the experience.