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Original poster

Do you usually Tip on top of the bill when you eat out?

239 replies

LunarLass · 18/09/2024 13:31

Hi everyone,
Just curious, how many of you usually leave a tip when you eat out?
I generally don't, but the other day, we went out with some friends who always tip. This time, I stuck to paying just for what we ordered—no tip—and you should've seen the looks on our friends' faces! Our bill came to £55, so it wasn't exactly cheap, to be honest. The meal was lovely, no complaints there; it's just that I don't usually tip out of principle, since they're getting paid for their job like anyone else

OP posts:
macshoto · 18/09/2024 13:44

Yes, if service isn't already included. No, if service is already added.

I do get a bit irritated by the steadily increasing levels of added service charge - 10% has commonly become 12.5% and in some places 15% or more. Higher levels of expected tipping make sense in the US. In the UK not so much.

Luluco · 18/09/2024 13:44

I never usually tip unless I’m getting my hair done and I tip the young girl washing my hair.

Worldgonecrazy · 18/09/2024 13:43

If service charge is added, then no. Otherwise yes, if there is a choice on the card machine we hit the highest percentage. Both me and DH having worked in hospitality makes us appreciate being looked after well.

SqueakyDinosaur · 18/09/2024 13:42

If service is already added, then that's fine, they have calculated the tip for you (and 12.5% tells you what it should be), but otherwise, yes. And when you think that out of your £55 (which, yes, is cheap for what I assume is a minimum of 3 people as you refer to friends plural), the business has to pay rent, business rates, tax, staff wages and the cost of your meal, then is it surprising most places pay NMW?

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/09/2024 13:42

Yes. I think how waiting staff perform can make or break the experience of the transaction in a way that isn’t really applicable to e.g. a retail worker taking my money, or delivery drivers dropping something off. Also, waiting staff often take the brunt from customers in a way many other service workers don’t, including for other people’s mistakes like the kitchen getting something wrong or a reservation being messed up, and have to know how to navigate that. Unless they were poor, I tip them for their contribution of making my experience of the meal enjoyable.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 18/09/2024 13:41

Anonym00se · 18/09/2024 13:39

I used to always tip, but now most places add a 12.5% service charge, so I’m less inclined to if that’s the case.

Agree, I wouldn't necessarily tip if they have already added a service charge.

RedheadedSoulStealer · 18/09/2024 13:41

I find it so annoying that tipping culture has made its way to the UK.

If there's a service charge already on the bill then I don't tip.
If there isn't, I will round up or do 10%.

If service is mind-blowing exceptional I may tip on top of service charge.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 18/09/2024 13:40

Yes, I always tip, unless we've had really lousy service. I tip more generously if the service is exceptional but usually 10% as a minimum. Service staff are typically paid minimum wage and rely on tips to get by, so I think it's pretty mean not to personally, but each to their own. If money was tight, I'd go out less often rather than not tipping.

Anonym00se · 18/09/2024 13:39

I used to always tip, but now most places add a 12.5% service charge, so I’m less inclined to if that’s the case.

Stropalotopus83 · 18/09/2024 13:38

Always tip and definitely more generously since DD got a job as a waitress years ago on weekends and summer holidays. The tales she used to tell of awful customers! So yeah - always tip. Believe me wage or no wage they rely on those tips.

DrFosterWentToGloucester23 · 18/09/2024 13:38

Always unless they insist on cash and then often I can’t as I rarely have it.

BrieHugger · 18/09/2024 13:37

Always! You should have rounded up to £60 as a minimum. Your friends think you’re tight and were probably embarrassed.

SqueakyDinosaur · 18/09/2024 13:37

Of course I tip. It's expected, and I think much less of people who don't. As, it seems, do your friends.

LadyGAgain · 18/09/2024 13:35

Always (unless they were a terrible service). They get paid minimum and it's a service. I would have had the same look as your friends TBH!