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AIBU?

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Original poster

Tipping is not the done thing.

546 replies

Lyndaishistory · 10/08/2018 20:01

You are not expected to tip in the UK! I'm not sure why some people think otherwise.
I would only tip if service was above and beyond but it is not an expectation and I wouldn't "cave" if it was crap service.

Husband and I had a rubbish meal at a well known resturant chain for our anniversary. I complained at the time but nothing was done about it.
Left husband to pay the bill and he tipped them. Bloody hell, I want my fiver back!
Seriously considering LTB over this.

OP posts:
rainbowsandsmiles · 10/08/2018 23:27

Go on then @Tokyo. Please walk into any restaurant in Leeds, hand them your CV and ask them to hire you.

Did it. Leeds being the city in question, and others in the vicinity! It literally doesn't happen anymore (see my pp) - tokyo is on another planet or out of touch with the job market recently as that is exactly what it is.

Janni01 · 10/08/2018 23:28

@sweet. Here here, how dare we go out ay, everyone on minimum wage must stay inside and do as the big salary people say. Hope that helps Grin

LoveInTokyo · 10/08/2018 23:28

We're not talking about major retailers. We're talking about waitressing jobs where you might earn tips. Most pubs and restaurants are small businesses, not major chains.

If you're the manager of a local pub or restaurant and someone has left or it's getting a bit busy and you're thinking of taking someone else on, and then someone walks in with their CV and a smile and says they can start straight away, what are you going to do? Say, "thanks that's great but can you just wait two weeks while I advertise this job online"?

No, you are not. Not when the best person you're likely to get is probably the one standing in front of you, and if you don't hire them someone else will.

missfit123 · 10/08/2018 23:29

I think it shows courtesy to tip. However only if good service. When friends don't tip despite good service I always think "what tight bastards". I'm no better off than them but usually manage a little extra wherever I can. Feel for them on usually minimum wage in a hard work role.

LoveInTokyo · 10/08/2018 23:30

Did it. Leeds being the city in question, and others in the vicinity!

I thought you lived 10 miles from the nearest shop?

MrsFezziwig · 10/08/2018 23:30

First of all, I tip in restaurants. I do so because that is the culture, and because I can afford to do so. But from the point of view of logic (which seems to be in short supply on this thread) there is really no reason why certain categories of minimum wage staff should be given tips and others should not, when they are all providing a service of one kind or another.

And as for the posters who called minimum wage workers (who gave perfectly reasonable explanations as to why they felt they should not have to tip people who earn more than them) “disgraceful”, “shameless and grabby”, “morons” and “cheapskates” - you disgust me (yes CardinalCat and IceCream I’m looking at you).

Janni01 · 10/08/2018 23:30

Agreed @rainbow. But she could lol online in the handy link I provided and apply for some jobs. ( even though waitressing jobs aren't shown online ever, or only shown when a company is desperate as Tokyo has kindly told us Grin)

rainbowsandsmiles · 10/08/2018 23:32

I thought you lived 10 miles from the nearest shop?

Eh? Confused Nope. Not a clue what you actually on about now, sorry. Must have me mixed up with someone else.

Janni01 · 10/08/2018 23:32

@fezziwig. Thank you, let it be known many to us on minimum wage would love to tip.

But calling us tight or mean isn't going to make us as we simply can't afford too.

LoveInTokyo · 10/08/2018 23:34

Must have done.

If you live in Leeds then there will be loads of waitressing jobs going, whether you see them advertised or not.

TheLadyArmitage · 10/08/2018 23:35

We only tip restaurants when the service is good. (In this country)

We rarely tip delivery drivers (even though I used to be one)

It boils my blood when places add a service charge on the bill - if I want to tip then I will tip!

There are other countries though where a minimum wage isn't a thing and the majority of earnings are tips.

Do people tip bus drivers? Why is this not the same thing as tipping waitresses?

Eliza9917 · 10/08/2018 23:40

I always ask for the service charge to be removed from the bill and leave it in cash, that way you know the staff will get it.

Restaurants hope you just pay the whole bill and still leave a cash tip for the staff and they keep or take a percentage of the service charge.

sweetsomethings · 10/08/2018 23:40

Thank you so much MrsFezzi believe you me I would tip if I had it and I have tipped in the past when we were better off and before we fell on hardtimes and I will tip again in the future when things improve. But I don’t believe that I should just not eat out and my kids shouldn’t ever experience eating out for their birthdays if I’m on minimum wage. I think some people on this thread think people like me should crawl under a rock and know our place . So your comment meant a lot .

PickAChew · 10/08/2018 23:41

Bus driver wages are usually well above nmw once fully trained.

Eliza9917 · 10/08/2018 23:41

I always give a takeaway delivery driver & cabs at least a pound. Ensures you get priority service over other customers that don't tip.

charlieloulou · 10/08/2018 23:42

Ive been a waitress for 12 years (and I did very well at school nor did I take a Mickey Mouse degree!
I worked in a popular Italian chain, I'd say around 90% of customers tipped, tips were really appreciated but regulars that didn't tip were never treated differently.
If you want service charge to go to your waiter check first, most chains pay their general managers minimum wage then use service charge to top it is to a manager salary.
Thankfully my restaurant gives 50% to the waiter and the other 50% kitchen. My friend works at another Italian chain and only gets 50p from service charge the rest gets used to make up head chef and managers salary.

sweetsomethings · 10/08/2018 23:50

Yes Janni that helps thanks I know my place now 😂

Janni01 · 10/08/2018 23:54

@sweet. Now rest as I expect my shelves packed correctly and the shop fully clean tomorrow, as I'm going to shop and walk past at least 20 to 30 minimum wage workers and not think but then shout at one who dares not tip a waiter working for the same wage as them in the restaurant after I've shopped Grin

MissConductUS · 10/08/2018 23:56

I've never been to America but accept that tipping is part of their culture and prices reflect this to a certain extent.

In the US anyone who gets tips is paid below minimum wage.

Tips are not optional, they are how waiters get paid in America

It's built into the pricing of the items and very few places add a mandatory service charge. If you visit America, please do not stiff the wait staff.

rainbowsandsmiles · 10/08/2018 23:59

I always give a takeaway delivery driver & cabs at least a pound. Ensures you get priority service over other customers that don't tip.

Does it heck. I get great service from both and don't tip. Go right ahead thinking if you tip you get a superior tip over those who don't if you like.
Not the case though.

rainbowsandsmiles · 11/08/2018 00:00

superior experience not tip that should read

Summersup · 11/08/2018 00:00

I tip 10% or so in proper restaurants.

If I'm in a cheapy chain, which is most of the time these days as can't afford the above, I don't tip. In one well known chain you have to queue to order and pay, carry your own drinks to the table, make your own cups of tea or coffee at the station for them, the food is served by one person you have never seen before that moment. The people are very nice- but who would you be tipping and what for, given you did most of the service yourself (I wouldn't be surprised if they started making you collect your food yourself soon!)

I don't tip takeaway drivers and didn't even know this was a thing, again, it's not like a couple of hours of service, they just drive there and hand over the food!

I round up for taxis but that's obviously less than a £1 most times.

I would love to be really wealthy and eat in lovely restaurants and extravagantly tip, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Greenyogagirl · 11/08/2018 00:03

I don’t tip as such, I especially don’t work out percentages and stuff. If everything is ok I’ll round up, if I think they’ve gone above and beyond I’ll tip.

LisaSimps0n · 11/08/2018 00:11

I genuinely don't remember tipping as a thing in the uk while growing up. In my experience at least it is a new thing here.
Growing up in London, I definitely remember tipping being a thing, but this reminded me of a restaurant in Lancaster that I went to with my parents in the early/mid eighties - at the end of the meal they asked if service was included , and the waiter had no idea what they were talking about - it clearly wasn't a thing in his world.
I hate tipping. As a tippee I would find it very patronising and as a tipper I find it socially awkward as I don't feel I know the rules and etiquette surrounding it. Would much rather live somewhere where it wasn't done.

2up2manydown · 11/08/2018 00:36

Why does it have to be a percentage rather than a flat fee?

Why should putting a plate of lobster in front of me score you a bigger tip than a bowl of spag bol?

Why should a waiter at an expensive restaurant earn more tips than one working at a cheaper place? Same effort no?