Talk:Key:self service

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The associated features section could use more explanation. Like, instead of a general definition of a hotel (which is redundant because you can read it by following the link) I would like to see an explanation how does a *self-service* hotel look like. Do you still pay, but not receive the lodging and need to seek it on your own or what?.. What is a self-service restaurant, a place where you cook your own food? Bring the ingredients? Wash your own dishes? In case of outdoor_seating, I can't grasp how could that be *not* self-service - would that mean the staff somehow helps you do the sitting, eating and drinking part? --Shrddr (talk) 10:17, 10 June 2022 (UTC)

Fully agree. —Marsupium (talk) 14:39, 11 June 2024 (UTC)

I agree that a more detailed and discriminating explanation is needed.
However, typically when we talk about 'self-service' we are referring to the customer-facing end of the service, where the customer helps themselves.
For example, bringing your own ingredients and preparing things yourself and reaping the benefits is called 'unmanned service', not 'self-service'.
Of course, there's no clear-cut distinction, and it's "usually" a matter of usage.(And depending on your culture, you might even use them interchangeably.)
For example, if you had a store where no one was serving you and you had to do everything yourself, you would call it an "unmanned store", not a "self-service store".

Of course, I don't think that necessarily means that OSM has to distinguish between them.
Maybe we could distinguish between fully unattended and partially self-service, and even in self-service, we could identify which processes are self-service. --깨몽/dreamy (talk) 12:11, 19 June 2024 (UTC)

Clarification

How self-service bank differs from one that has atm=yes ?

How post office can be self service?

(see also https://github.com/openstreetmap/id-tagging-schema/pull/2301 )

@Zimtschnecke:

Mateusz Konieczny (talk) 08:25, 6 July 2026 (UTC)

• amenity=bank : Maybe dedicated cash or cheque deposit machines? Depends on whether they are amenity=atm , while cash_in=* and cheque_in=* mostly refers to whether an proper ATM accept them together.
• amenity=post_machine : There are postal corners with multiple functionalities, branded as self-service postal centers
  • Multi-functional machine
    • amenity=post_box with size sensor and weigh for measuring parcels yourself (not exactly amenity=parcel_locker + parcel_mail_in=* , I think)
    • amenity=vending_machine + vending=stamps
    • Remote help/service
  • amenity=parcel_locker

Although, they may furthermore be automated=yes / automated=only

In general, there's no standard feature for a group/corner/room/store of devices for features mostly defined as individual devices ( amenity=vending_machine , amenity=parcel_locker , vending=bottle_return / recycle_type=machine , amenity=locker , etc )

Recently I have a possible amenity=library + automated=only https://community.openstreetmap.org/t/how-to-tag-remote-library-service-points-pickup-return/142637 Kovposch (talk) 17:26, 6 July 2026 (UTC)