Tipping 10% of the bill seems a lot to me

[ElderAve]

I'm prepared to be flamed but let me explain my logic.

Now DC are grown up, when we go out to dinner we are usually 4 adults. We don't do it very often but like somewhere "nice" so when we do, two courses plus drinks probably cost £150-£200. We'll be in the restaurant say 2 hours and the waiter will typically have 5/6 other tables (?).

That's an awfully good hourly rate if everyone leaves 10%.

Would you leave £20 on a £200 bill for 4 people? If not what is a fair/reasonable amount to leave?

Yes, at least 10 per cent. Possibly more. If the service is crap, nada.

No I dont think I'd tip that much. And I agree with @Sarcelle if it's not great service, no tip at all.

You do know that the tip doesn’t just go to your individual waiter, don’t you?

Nope, but then I dont like the tipping culture at all. People should be paid a decent living wage

Yes I would

No. I wouldn't unless it was exceptional and I could easily afford it.

We are not in the USA where tips are expect due to the low rates of pay for serving staff. I go often and it bumps up the cost of the meal dramatically. I visit family in California, restaurant prices ain't cheap to start with there.

I wouldn’t tip that much and also agree not at all if the service and/or food isn’t good

I am Canadian, here the standard is 15%, 20% for excellent service.
Here we tip for service you can do for yourself, ie, food, personal care like hair or nails, carrying your baggage, etc.

I factor the cost of the tip when I am budgeting, if I cant afford it, then I go somewhere less expensive, or save up, or do without.
Not tipping is not acceptable, unless the service was truly shit and you are making a statement

I used to tip everytime... in the uk everyone is at least on minimum wage and I dont tip for good experience at the supermarket for example so why at a restaurant. However if the service is exceptional then I would. Also if I were abroad I would as they generally work for their tips and are on a rubbish wage otherwise.

Rarely tip in the UK unless its somewhere really fancy, or it's exceptional.

I wouldn't hesitate to tip that much for a proper meal, as the tip doesn't just go to the waiter. Plus better restaurants tend to have several waiting staff taking care of the table, and I imagine several staff supporting in the kitchen too.

But I spent quite a lot of time in the US, where tipping culture is much more entrenched, and have had family work in the restaurant trade (both sides of the Atlantic). Waiting staff aren't rolling in money, and it can be pretty hard work.

Also if I were abroad I would as they generally work for their tips and are on a rubbish wage otherwise a bit condescending @Mumtoaperfectbabyboy - what do you mean 'abroad'. Here in Spain tipping is not usual at all and waiters make a decent wage.

We have asked a waitress/waiter before if they get the tip. If they reply they do not get the tip, we have personally given them 10% of the bill in cash & let the manager of the restaurant know.

I don't see the point in tipping to be honest. Most people I interact with on a daily basis are on NMW. I wouldn't tip them.

Many restaurants I’ve been to recently had 12.5% tip already included as part of the bill. There has only been one occasion that I have refused to tip and that’s because the service was so bad. Otherwise I always do.

I wonder why we don't tip the chef - they are the ones doing the bulk of the work.

northendgal you are Canadian. There is a different tipping culture there. So your comment is a bit pointless. The op is asking about what to do in the UK, where there is a living wage and less of a running culture.
I tend to tip up to 10 percent but I do still feel a tad resentful as I works for years as a carer on minimum wage and did not get tips. Don’t really tee why waiters are so special.

*Tipping!!!! Sure there is a running culture here.

Nope but I don't agree with tipping when we have a minimum wage (and many places pay the living wage). My husband earns min wage and doesn't get extras, we don't have loads of spare cash so if we go out due a meal I resent paying an extra ten/fifteen quid.

However when I have received service above and beyond I will always tip.

@olivehater , but it's ok for others to post about how it is in Spain or the States?

I wonder why we don't tip the chef - they are the ones doing the bulk of the work.

My BIL is a chef and has always had a share of the tips everywhere he has worked.

10% and round it up. Unless the service is not good by which I mean rude.

I would.

In many places the tips are not just for waiting staff but are shared with bar staff, kitchen porters etc so it isn't a large supplement to the hourly rate of the wait staff.

I do time 10-20% but it is rare we go out to eat, once or twice a year so I it doesn't add up as much as someone who goes out more often.

I hate restaurants that add an automatic 10% or even 15% on top on the bill! If the service was good, I check who gets the tips and might round up accordingly. I've asked for the 'suggested' gratuity to be removed at times if service has been poor. Uk isnt a tipping society but it seems restaurants the other services like nails, hair are trying to make it that way.

Last week the waitress refused to let us leave, as we were £2 short of their 'suggested'gratuity!!! (although had more than covered the whole bill). Utterly disgusting, especially as the service was non-existent and rude!