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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:
SallyWD · 18/09/2024 14:01

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.

I'm nearly 50 and people have always tipped. My parents are in their 80s and have always tipped. How far back were people not tipped in the UK??
I always tip about 10% or round it up so it's near 10%. I secretly judge people who don't tip and think they're tight. OK if you get terrible service, don't tip but otherwise I do.

mynameiscalypso · 18/09/2024 14:01

I always tip if service charge isn't included. I don't know anyone who doesn't - and it's not a new thing at all, my parents, for example, have always tipped.

WhatToDo1234567 · 18/09/2024 14:00

Always, because I've worked for minimum wage and although 'that's what it's there for', IMO no one can survive on it, and if I can do something small to improve their quality of life, why wouldn't I?

Although agree with others, if a service charge is already added, I'll treat this as a tip. I now try and keep a bit of cash on me to slip a particularly nice server if one goes out of his/her way.

CherryValley5 · 18/09/2024 14:00

Always. Never a huge amount though, usually only £2-£5 depending on the service, where we are etc. It’s a token gesture really.

I only ever tip more if we’re eating out as a big group - which is very rare.

the80sweregreat · 18/09/2024 13:59

Some places have a service charge , so I don't tip if that's already on the bill.

VeryQuaintIrene · 18/09/2024 13:58

20% standard here in the US, pushing towards 25% and for absurd things like handing you a cup of coffee! Very annoying but waitpersons get paid a tiny amount per hour and in all conscience you kind of have to offer a decent tip if you can afford to eat out.

Splunky · 18/09/2024 13:58

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MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 18/09/2024 13:58

mushpush · 18/09/2024 13:55

I tip on holiday where it's cultural, here we will tip if it's a naice restaurant and meal, or if we have a lovely server - but not in general in the UK, no.

I don't understand. Surely it's part of the culture here as well, and has been certainly throughout my lifetime, so why would you tip abroad but not in the UK?

OneTC · 18/09/2024 13:57

Yes I do.

Splunky · 18/09/2024 13:57

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narns · 18/09/2024 13:56

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There's a new law coming in in October to protect employees tips from employers (employers will have to pass on the full tips with no deductions).

angelcake20 · 18/09/2024 13:55

I don't really approve of tipping but, if there's no service charge, I round up by 5-10%. These days a lot of card payments don't have a tip option, which I quite like.

mushpush · 18/09/2024 13:55

I tip on holiday where it's cultural, here we will tip if it's a naice restaurant and meal, or if we have a lovely server - but not in general in the UK, no.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 18/09/2024 13:54

Always unless it's shit service or there's a service charge

YellowComb · 18/09/2024 13:53

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.

It's very geographical. London is awful for tipping culture. Scotland there is hardly any tipping expected. Australia...no tipping at all.

Bjorkdidit · 18/09/2024 13:53

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 18/09/2024 13:51

I don’t tip - that’s what minimum wage is for.

Exactly. Seems a lot of people forget this. There's a lot of people working for minimum wage who never receive tips (carers, fast food restaurant staff, retail workers and many others) yet are apparently expected to tip other people who earn the same as them for meeting the basic requirements of the job they are paid to do.

purplemunkey · 18/09/2024 13:53

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.

It’s not new. I’m in my 40s and I remember my parents always leaving a tip.

As others have said, if service is already included I may not, but I generally leave at least 10%.

Splunky · 18/09/2024 13:52

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Whatevershallidowithmylife · 18/09/2024 13:51

I don’t tip - that’s what minimum wage is for.

DiscoBeat · 18/09/2024 13:51

I always tip 15% unless service charge is included or the service is awful.

BobbyBiscuits · 18/09/2024 13:50

The tip is usually included in the bill and I always pay it. Sometimes we add a cash tip on top if the service/food was exceptional.
I'd never not tip unless the staff were actively rude. If the food is crap, it's not the waiter's fault. Often if I'm dissatisfied with the meal, sometimes a dish is sent back, I will actually tip more generously as I don't feel the waiter should lose out. Just because the kitchen messed up.
As long as staff deal with everything really well then of course they deserve a tip.
Hospitality is really hard work. Much harder than any office work.
I have a lot of respect for everyone in the restaurant industry who are trying their best to make some money and satisfy often very high maintenance customers.

StormingNorman · 18/09/2024 13:49

Always. 10% minimum and extra if the service was really good.

I’d be giving you a look too.

anyolddinosaur · 18/09/2024 13:48

If there is a service charge added definitely not - and if service was bad I'd ask them to remove it. Otherwise if paying cash I'll round up, otherwise I may leave up to 10%. Service is rarely exceptional.

Hate the tipping culture and prefer to go to places without a service charge.

In Canada we tipped - but well below their standard level - even the person who was so bad we complained.

stayathomer · 18/09/2024 13:45

In Ireland and the uk there’s a minimum wage. I tip but as a retail worker it always bugged me because generally they were on the same wage as me! US this summer I tipped over the average

narns · 18/09/2024 13:45

I always tip. I was a waitress in my first job at 16 and throughout uni and tips make a huge difference to your pay (which is minimum wage pretty much everywhere!). I would be surprised if I was out for dinner and a friend didn't want to tip "out of principle".