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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not tip?

163 replies

Blackteadrinker77 · 05/03/2018 20:55

Why do we feel the need to tip waiters/waitresses and hair dressers but not other workers on the lowest wage?

I agreed with tipping before their pay was brought in to line with the NMW (as it was at the time) but now it feels wrong to tip them but you don't tip the cleaner who cleaned that restaurant who is on the same wage.

AIBU? Who do you tip and why?

OP posts:
Ellendegeneres · 05/03/2018 21:44

I also do what perrie does. In some places, like our local carvery it’s common knowledge that the staff you tip don’t get to keep the tip.
In other places, I know that the tips are shared with waiting staff and chefs- so happier to tip since the person who’s made the food I’ve enjoyed so much gets something too

Snugglywithmycat17 · 05/03/2018 21:44

I never tip and don’t believe in it. If I was to tip I would want it to go to good nurses and doctors for their help. Not Hairderesser’s or waitresses.

DalekDalekDalek · 05/03/2018 21:45

To be honest, the only time I tip is when I'm paying by cash and the change is a couple of pounds, then I'll let them keep the change (normally if I'm in a bit of a hurry and don't want to wait for the change). I don't generally agree with tipping someone for doing their job - it's always seemed a bit strange to me. How was it ever decided which professions should be tipped and which shouldn't?

SuperBeagle · 05/03/2018 21:46

Tipping shouldn't be a thing in the UK, and when I visited last year, I didn't tip anyone.

GabsAlot · 05/03/2018 21:49

im a bit hit and miss with it theres no logic your right op butg i tend to tip in food places not if the service was bad but if just ok i still tip

MyBrilliantDisguise · 05/03/2018 21:50

How can anyone not know that most people tip a hairdresser?

DalekDalekDalek · 05/03/2018 21:53

How can anyone not know that most people tip a hairdresser?

I've never tipped a hairdresser! Blush If they think their job is worth more why don't they just increase their charges accordingly?

Ontheboardwalk · 05/03/2018 21:54

When I worked behind a bar many many years ago tips were great and appreciated. It meant the difference in paying for a taxi home out of my wages or my tips.

To be honest I only tip people behind the bar now if it’s a busy bar and I’m going to be there a while. Tip first time and you’re going to get served quickly next time. Bad I know.

I do always tip taxi drivers and food delivery people. Anyone who takes me home or brings me food should get a tip in my book

Original poster
Blackteadrinker77 · 05/03/2018 21:55

How was it ever decided which professions should be tipped and which shouldn't?

Before the NMW came in waitresses/waiters and hairdressers were paid around £3.88ph. So exploitative and awful, I tipped then, by around 15% of the total.

But that isn't the case anymore, yet people still tip them but other low paid workers don't get tips.

OP posts:
LemonysSnicket · 05/03/2018 21:56

I tip because when I was a waitress and a bar maid it meant a lot to me.

MammaTJ · 05/03/2018 21:56

I have less money than anyone providing me with a service, being unable to work due to being disabled. I do not tip, simply because I cannot afford to.

However, I do not use hairdressers, I cut and colour my own hair. If I eat out, it is usually at Morrisons or Macdonalds, cheap and cheerful rather than for the 'experience of dining' that I would love if I was better off.

When I was on good money and ate out in restaurants, which feels like a lifetime ago, I did tip. I did once go to a restaurant that automatically added a 'service charge' to the bill and I refused to pay it because the service was rubbish!

squeekums · 05/03/2018 21:58

I dont tip at all
Not all low paid workers get tips so why are only some worthy
Plus why add an extra cost to me if i dont have to

Original poster
Blackteadrinker77 · 05/03/2018 21:59

I do always tip taxi drivers and food delivery people. Anyone who takes me home or brings me food should get a tip in my book

Why? Do they work harder than the people who make the food or clean the taxi office or answer the taxi office phone?

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 05/03/2018 22:00

MyBrilliantDisguise it’s different in America though, waiters can make $2-3 an hour without tips. Tips are considered part of their wage and they’re taxed on it. They survive on service charges.

Original poster
Blackteadrinker77 · 05/03/2018 22:02

I tip because when I was a waitress and a bar maid it meant a lot to me

It would mean a lot to a cleaner or a cashier also. Just they don't get tips because of our habits.

OP posts:
DalekDalekDalek · 05/03/2018 22:03

When I was stacking shelves in a supermarket as a teenager I was earning rubbish pay the same as someone the same age was in a restaurant. No one ever tipped me.

Why do we tip some professions but not others?

FineAsWeAre · 05/03/2018 22:03

I rarely tip. I’m only on minimum wage and I don’t get tipped for doing my job well.

Ontheboardwalk · 05/03/2018 22:03

Black I don’t know why. Maybe it seems more like a personal Service. I agree there’s no reasoning behind it

LemonysSnicket · 05/03/2018 22:03

Although I despise service charges which half the time don’t even go to the staff

Judydreamsofhorses · 05/03/2018 22:04

I pay a fortune at the hairdresser, and don’t tip - however I always buy her a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers at Christmas. I do tend to tip waiting staff, and will usually round up a taxi fare or pizza delivery. I think it’s something to do with handing over cash-money for me - I wouldn’t even think to tip the supermarket delivery driver, because the bill’s been paid before he brings it. Similarly, I would be less likely to tip a taxi driver if it was on account and no cash changed hands.

Original poster
Blackteadrinker77 · 05/03/2018 22:04

I have less money than anyone providing me with a service, being unable to work due to being disabled. I do not tip, simply because I cannot afford to

You should eat out with your head held high, you do not need to tip in the UK

OP posts:
upsideup · 05/03/2018 22:05

We always tip when we can and when the service was good, because we want to and we can afford to. I can understand though why you wouldnt want tip someone on the same or higher wage than you and you dont have to there is no law on tipping but why begrudge others who want to?

Downthepubofcourse · 05/03/2018 22:05

At my place, the tips are shared equally amongst everyone except the owners. So that is the kitchen porter, the chef, the housekeeper and the glasses collector. As well of course as the person you actually saw. We think that hotels happen only with great team work and all the members are important.

They aren't paid much considering the shit they often have to put up with. Someone ranted at me the other day about how outrageous it was that they (in an office job) were not allowed to go home quickly because of the snow and they could have been stranded. They never gave a thought for the people serving them some of whom hadn't seen home for a couple of days because they were snowed out.

Unihorn · 05/03/2018 22:05

In my restaurant the cleaners and chefs get paid more than the servers, so it wouldn't make sense to tip them as they already receive £1-2 more per hour. NMW is only close to £8 for over 25s, it is £5.60 for 18-20 year olds, the average age of many servers.

LemonysSnicket · 05/03/2018 22:10

I tip my hairdresser because it means she’s more likely to move my appointment, give me a late one/ last minute one or blow dry it for free on occasion.

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