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Original poster

Am I cheap for never tipping delivery drivers?!

58 replies

Rainbowsandlollipops1 · 27/01/2026 15:07

Just curious to know if I’m BU.

Had a chat about Deliveroo etc the other day and a friend always trips the delivery driver about £5 every time she orders. Me and my other friend said we never do, you get charged service fees, delivery fees etc and pay higher for the food. A £15 meal can end up costing £22.

I have tipped before on Christmas Eve but usually I don’t.

Do you think this is bad or do you think it’s fine?

OP posts:
Crushed23 · 27/01/2026 17:00

SpryLilacSnake · 27/01/2026 16:39

No, tipping culture is bizarre. You paid for a service. In an ideal world we'd all just boycott anywhere that doesn't pay their staff the legal minimum rather than top it up ourselves.

They are paid the legal minimum, I think the point is that NMW is not very good pay. That’s why people tip.

I live in the US so tip, never tipped when I lived in the UK and don’t know anyone who did tbh. So perhaps this is a fairly recent phenomenon?

Dinosweetpea · 27/01/2026 16:57

No, I have never tipped any delivery person. I pay delivery charges 🤷🏻‍♀️

MrsKateColumbo · 27/01/2026 16:50

I always tip the delivery person. They are bringing me delicious food and are on very low wages. Round here they are often uni students

Redpeach · 27/01/2026 16:47

IngridBergmannn · 27/01/2026 16:41

I never tip anyone at all. If they're doing the job, they're getting paid for it. If they don't like the pay, they are welcome to find another job.

That easy is it, in this current climate?

purplecorkheart · 27/01/2026 16:47

I tip. Normally only get delivery from one of the Chinese Restaurants and their delivery person is really lovely. It is a tough job and I know the restaurant pays them very little per delivery.

SpryLilacSnake · 27/01/2026 16:46

Redpeach · 27/01/2026 16:45

Big company deliveries are in vans, not bikes or mopeds

Show quote history

Interesting thanks!

Redpeach · 27/01/2026 16:45

SpryLilacSnake · 27/01/2026 16:42

Why tip one and not the other? Genuinely interested because I can't really see the difference. Is it maybe because they've had a longer journey from the restaurant to you than a postie doing lots in one area?

Show quote history

Big company deliveries are in vans, not bikes or mopeds

Imthequeenofthecastle · 27/01/2026 16:43

I tip Deliveroo and Tesco/other grocery deliveries £3-£5. Particularly if the weather is horrendous. If large item of furniture being delivered also tip. Postie gets a Christmas tip but not every delivery driver as we are often out when they deliver, or they leave it in the porch and are off. I’ll

Loyaltotheoil · 27/01/2026 16:42

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 27/01/2026 15:09

I would never trip my delivery driver, I think their job is hard enough anyway. I would seriously reconsider that friendship.

😂😂😂

SpryLilacSnake · 27/01/2026 16:42

doobaz · 27/01/2026 16:39

Yes only food delivery. I wouldn't tip Amazon or Evri etc!!

Why tip one and not the other? Genuinely interested because I can't really see the difference. Is it maybe because they've had a longer journey from the restaurant to you than a postie doing lots in one area?

IngridBergmannn · 27/01/2026 16:41

I never tip anyone at all. If they're doing the job, they're getting paid for it. If they don't like the pay, they are welcome to find another job.

SpryLilacSnake · 27/01/2026 16:39

No, tipping culture is bizarre. You paid for a service. In an ideal world we'd all just boycott anywhere that doesn't pay their staff the legal minimum rather than top it up ourselves.

doobaz · 27/01/2026 16:39

Yes only food delivery. I wouldn't tip Amazon or Evri etc!!

Redpeach · 27/01/2026 16:37

MissingSockDetective · 27/01/2026 16:23

I didn't realize that people did tip delivery drivers, around here it's only Tesco and Amazon. I'd be completely broke if I tipped the Amazon person every time!

i only tip food delivery

SamVan · 27/01/2026 16:36

I usually tip £2

Biker47 · 27/01/2026 16:32

No, I've already paid for delivery and everything costs insane prices now, so no.

Catwoman8 · 27/01/2026 16:32

No, as most charge a delivery fee anyway. Tiipping culture is getting OTT, where does it end?

strugglinguphill · 27/01/2026 16:30

As a delivery driver I would never expect a tip, I get paid to do the job by my employer

Manymoresometimes · 27/01/2026 16:27

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 27/01/2026 15:09

I would never trip my delivery driver, I think their job is hard enough anyway. I would seriously reconsider that friendship.

I got the joke, very funny!!

starrynight009 · 27/01/2026 16:25

No, we don't. Not when we've already paid for delivery. I only tip waiting staff and hairdressers.

MissingSockDetective · 27/01/2026 16:23

I didn't realize that people did tip delivery drivers, around here it's only Tesco and Amazon. I'd be completely broke if I tipped the Amazon person every time!

shellyleppard · 27/01/2026 16:19

I tip at Christmas. Give delivery drivers a cold can of pop or bottle of water when its really hot. But already pay enough in delivery fees so....

BotterMon · 27/01/2026 16:17

Don't have Deliveroo etc. as too rural but do tip the driver the rare times we have a Chinese takeaway which is the only one who delivers around here.

Never tip Ocado or any other deliveries such as DHL etc.

Fruitpastelsyum · 27/01/2026 16:15

Yes

doobaz · 27/01/2026 16:15

I always tip a few pounds. They are on low pay, and if I can afford to splash out on a takeaway, a small tip won't break the bank.