Tipping is not the done thing.

[Lyndaishistory]

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.

I can't stand people who claim that by not tipping they're bravely taking a stand against tipping culture. You're not. If you don't believe in tipping don't frequent establishments where a tip is expected. I don't particularly like tipping culture I'd rather everyone was paid a bit more and the price of the meal would go up (maybe tips for excellent service). I'd actually rather pay a bit more for everything and have all workers wages increase too.

The problem with tipping culture is that it allows cheapskates and morons to have their meal for less while the rest of us actually pay a tip like a decent person. To subsidise the wait staffs salary to a level commensurate with their experience and work ethic.

tokyo sorry you forgot to point out where I mentioned a google search. Yes I work full time have three kids and also look after my elderly mum I’m really lazy . Or maybe I should have left my kids in the house themselves at this time at night and drove round the restaurants miles from my home at this time of night to prove a point to you. No I looked online like a sane person cause I know I have been and looked before . But again in your fantasyland that’s not how it works . Bored now.

@Seniorcitizen1 You truly are an arrogant ass. Do everyone a favor and stop going out for meals with your attitude. How dare you trivialize people in serving professions. You may have gone to school for education, but you are sorely lacking in humanity. Pseudo superior asshole.

I left a tiny tiny tip the other night (less than 2€ on nearly 100). The server did hit me in the head with a plate, though.

er, before I left the terrible tip.

I hate tipping, it makes no logical sense for so many reasons as PPs have said

-Waiter/waitresses are already paid a wage
-Why tip the server, but not the chef(s), pot washers etc, many of whom will be on the same wage?
-If you order steak rather than pasta, your bill will be more expensive and therefore your tip will be more...but the server will have done the same amount of work. Ditto waitresses working in expensive vs cheap restaurants.

Restaurants should just charge the correct price for your food.

I do tip when out in a group, because it's expected and I don't want to be labelled as stingy.

I do think there are significant regional differences. I live in the SE, where tipping seems to be more commonplace. But up north where I'm originally from, friends seem to leave nothing, or maybe £1 each. When I was a waitress 15 years ago, we tended to get very little in the way of tips.

Yes, we ate in tourist resorts in the whole - big cities and places you'd go on holiday type cities/towns. Nothing was cheap in proper restaurants in those areas. Fast food joints were okay. But decent restaurants in costal and city resorts were no cheaper than similar U.K. resorts/cities. Infact in some areas it was dearer, even before they added tax and tip. A 'special' night out with meal, wine and an extra drink was $400 for 3. And that wasn't the dearest places in the areas.

Interested that in MN people pay min 20% in the US. Wherever we've been it is still 15-20% and the options of 15, 18 and 20 are printed on the bottom of the receipts. Most people seem to go with the middle.

And I don't know anyone in RL topping 20% in the U.K.

No I looked online like a sane person cause I know I have been and looked before. But again in your fantasyland that’s not how it works.

Well then you wasted your time because that is not how you get a waitressing job. That is not how it works. In the real world. The one in which I was a waitress for, oh, about eight years.

Icecream so you tip minimum wage retail workers too to subsidise their minimum wage job ?

I always try to tip if service has been acceptable or better. I don't tip if the service has been bad!

Interested to hear from any Aussies in here as the tipping thing doesn't happen there as the wages are so high.

Sorry Tokyo again you forget to point out the comment I said I did a google search .

Aragog I paid 20% when I was over in the USA I thought it was standard . I only paid 15% if it was just a drink tho.

I like how people are saying looking online don't how to find a job when most big companies advertise online and jobsite like indeed cover most jobs in the area.

And again, I find it odd minimum wage workers are expected to increase someone's wage above what they earn.
Yes I would like a higher wage too please and thank you.

Londonista

The link I added a few comments up says that it's not customary in Australia but you may consider 10% for particularly good service.

It's interesting how much it varies.

It doesn't matter where on the internet you searched, because that is not how waitressing jobs are found and filled.

Jesus christ how many times do I have to say it. No wonder you think it's impossible to get a job. I wouldn't employ you either.

I agree with you that tipping should be completely the customer's own choice without pressure from the restaurant or society. I personally don't think you can blame the people who work there, I think the fault is with the companies who employ them. There are thousands of other service industries where tipping is not permitted however the employer pays them decently, this should also be the case in restaurants, not up to the customers to make up the rest of their salary in tips.

I know Janni totally agree said they worked as a waitress over 10 years ago and giving out bad advice like nothing has changed in 10 years . As I always say can’t argue with stupid .

Sweet - 20% is supposed to be very good service. 15 for acceptable, 18 for good/above acceptable, 20 for very good. As low as 10% for poor service but advised to also speak to the manager/supervisor if service has been poor.

Spoke to some Californians about the tipping culture over there, and have done in last I other areas and they've always suggested the same.

I have a job Tokyo smh can you read

icecream so, in a climate where costs are going up and disposable income allocated for eating out is reduced, you're actually advocating that if people don't want to tip they shouldn't go to a restaurant where tipping is expected?

I'm sure that will be a great help. I will take your suggestion on board though and avoid those establishments from now on.

Bonkers!

@Liveintokyo. Glad to hear it, also fyi distressing jobs are advertised online as well.

Shame you don't want to hire my friend for example, worked since 18 and is now 40, as a care assistant and have provided an amazing service to all involved and you know what she hasnt called people rude for not topping up her wages

Thanks aragog that’s interesting to know . You never know what to do for the best in a foreign country . Service is always so much better there too.

Yeah, a crappy one that you don't seem to think pays you what you're worth. If your bitterings sorry, witterings on here are anything to go by I'd say you're lucky to have that and certainly not worth more than minimum wage.

strange how people think they can do this and it makes them automatically invisible or something

It's cute that you think that's why I'm doing it.