Tea service charge is a kind of fee charged in some Chinese restaurants or teahouses, which mainly refers to the cost incurred by providing services such as tea and cutlery to the guests during the meal. In some places, tea service charge is considered as one of the basic service charges in a restaurant, and is usually charged at a per person per hour rate.

The main reason for the tea service fee is that tea service is a very important service in the Chinese restaurant culture, and many restaurants and teahouses provide free tea service, so the tea service fee can cover this part of the cost, and can also increase the revenue of the restaurant.

However, there is also controversy over the charging of tea service fees in China. Some consumers consider tea service fees to be an unreasonable expense, as they believe it is a basic service that should be included in the price of a dish rather than charged separately. Meanwhile, some merchants have also been questioned by consumers about the reasonableness of charging for tea seats.

Overall, charging for tea is a relatively common behavior in China, and while some consumers may be unhappy with it, others find it acceptable. Consumers are advised to understand the restaurant's charging policy before dining to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts.