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Original poster

Forced to tip in (not so fancy) restaurant... card payment...

165 replies

Forforkssake1 · 07/11/2018 23:46

Aibu to think it's so awkward when you pay a bill and the waitress stands there and hands you a card machine which asks if you'd like to leave a tip? The service was ok, the food was ok, but the glasses were dirty, and one of the meals came much later then the others and one of the sauces had congealed goop on it... because I have no backbone didn't want to make a scene I don't complain, and tipped 10%. Because I felt PRESSURED in to it. When did tipping become such a regular thing in the UK?

Aibu to think the should just up the cost of meals so you don't have to tip?!

OP posts:
Henryismyfriend · 08/11/2018 08:05

Also, if you really do not feel the service is up to scratch, do not leave a tip. If you do feel the service is up to scratch and cannot afford to tip/don’t want to, a good review online mentioning your server by name (where possible) is always very appreciated.

This. It makes my day to be mentioned on TA or similar, and many places offer staff a bonus if they are. Similarly I notice far more if someone is polite and treats me with respect than if they tip or not.

What annoys me is the 'service not included' printed on a bill, well unless the staff work for free then it is isn't it? Staff wages are built into the price of the meal.

I don't expect a tip, and I get paid my wages if they're left or not. What I do if I don't have cash is ask the server to increase the bill by the amount I want to tip and then press no when the machine asks. When they put it through the till they can then take the 'change' from the payment to put directly in tips and then the staff definitely get all of it and not the company taking a cut.

Iaimtomisbehave1 · 08/11/2018 08:06

Why didn't you just press no? It's not difficult. I do wonder how people who can't handle this sort of thing manage to make it through life.

OliviaStabler · 08/11/2018 08:11

I am a bit uncomfortable with tips now. With minimum wage why do restaurant servers get it while shop workers, care assistants etc don’t?

Because that's the way it is and I honestly don't know how it could change.

Also just because someone is on minimum wage doesn't mean they earn a lot. It's a rough job and tips are very welcome. I wouldn't eat out with people who didn't tip as a rule.

Ragwort · 08/11/2018 08:16

I think some people don’t really know what ‘good service’ Is, it’s not just ‘coming to your table, taking the order & delivering the food’ - that should be the absolute minimum; it’s about making you feel welcome, taking your coat (although that hardly ever happens these days), pointing out any specialities, checking for allergies, offering wine suggestions (yes I know that’s ‘upselling’ but it can be done well), ensuring your children have a high chair, activity pack whatever, remembering the food orders so you don’t just get shouted at ‘who’s the lamb’? Or whatever. And this doesn’t just happen in upmarket restaurants. We ate in a branch of Carluccios last week & got fabulous service, it really added to the occasion & we gave a generous tip. Even in McDonalds, where I assume I no onetips, there can be a huge variance in how your order is taken.

Lovemusic33 · 08/11/2018 08:17

A to of places do this now. Frankie and Bennies do it but I don’t leave a tip as the service is pretty poor and slow. Happy to leave a tip if I feel they deserve it. No ones forcing anyone, it’s given to you as a option.

TheBigFatMermaid · 08/11/2018 08:21

I had this happen a very long time ago. The service had been absolutely awful. I just declined to pay a tip. To be fair, they were lucky we even paid at all, or were still there to eat and therefore pay, it all took so long!

bluetongue · 08/11/2018 08:53

I live in Australia and had never seen tipping on a card machine until I went to the UK. It was a black cab and I was so shocked by the exhorbitant fare there was no way I was paying a tip as well!

CoffeeCoffeeLove · 08/11/2018 09:02

If I'm paying on card and they ask I always say I'll leave a cash tip.
Then always leave a tip of some sort whether I think they deserve it or not. Once at a restaurant they forgot to bring out a side dish (even after I asked them for it) but left it on the bill so I told them to leave it on and consider it the tip (£4 on a £90 bill) because I couldn't be arsed waiting for them to print out a new receipt and bring it over since it already took them 15 minutes to give us the first one! DH then popped another tenner on the table as we were leaving because he thought I was being tight - I really wanted that side dish! And they were slow throughout they entire meal, taking orders, bringing drink etc I thought £4 was generous considering their lack of speed/sense led to my young DS having a tantrum in the middle of a restaurant because everyone else had their food but they had forgotten to cook his and they never gave me my mushrooms!

VeganCow · 08/11/2018 09:04

I went to Zizzis once and the waiter handed me the machine then leaned over and pressed 'no' himself

MrsGollach · 08/11/2018 09:08

IF I'm going to leave a tip (hate tipping culture) then I never leave it on the card. Always press "No". Companies pay tax on tips received on card.

Why would anyone consider leaving a tip when they were unhappy with everything about the meal/service?

hellsbellsmelons · 08/11/2018 09:10

I never leave a card tip.
You don't have to.
Depending on service, I'll leave some cash on the table.

ginghamstarfish · 08/11/2018 09:10

I hate the whole tipping thing. Surely in this country staff are paid at least the National Minimum Wage, just as as many in other jobs where they don't get tips? Service, that is, their wages, forms part of the cost of the items you order, so I really don't get it, unless for something exceptional.

wheelygo · 08/11/2018 09:13

Also, if something is wrong with your meal please let us know!! If you grab your server and have a polite word or mention it when they check back then more often than not they’ll do anything they can to rectify the issue, and probably take a bit off your bill for the hassle. If you wait until the end to mention it then there’s nothing we can do to fix it! We don’t take personal offence Smile

InsuranceGirl · 08/11/2018 09:16

I worked at Frankie's and Benny's for a while and at the time the managers calculated what amount you should have earnt in tips and you had to give a percentage of that to then for the kitchen staff - if you didn't earn the tips then you need to provide the tip percentage from your own cash.

I used to do extra things to get tips (table magic) so never had to use my own money, but a few of the other people working there regularly had to pay their own money. It annoyed me as they food wasn't great.

I tend to tip now but if I'm not happy with the service I ask for the manager and ask what their tip policy is as I don't want the waiters/waitresses losing money due to a bad policy.

Jenny17 · 08/11/2018 09:17

I will never leave a cash tip as It's most likely supporting tax evasion. Taxes should be paid.

Hoppinggreen · 08/11/2018 09:24

I’ve had a 10% service charge removed before
Food was ok but service was awful, manager said nobody had even done it before, which I doubt but they did it.
I’m a champion “complainer” though, I’m very polite but firm and usually get money off the bill/free drinks etc when we’ve been let down.

QuizzlyBear · 08/11/2018 09:24

I waitressed throughout University and following that experience I only tip if the service was exceptional or they went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Tips, in my view, are for service outside the standard/norm. Staff get paid to deliver food to the customers, they get tipped for giving the customers a positive experience.

I did once go out in the West End for lunch with three friends- the service was atrocious so we didn't tip. The waitress actually chased us down the street to demand 'her money'. 

Imissgmichael · 08/11/2018 09:24

Rarely tip, don’t really agree with it. Why should I give servers a bonus I’m not their employer.

Jenny17 · 08/11/2018 09:30

@insurancegirl that sounds illegal.

Hate the tipping culture. Really don't feel it improves service. Whilst I said you don't have to tip but unfortunately when in a large group or with people who think differently it can cause disputes.

DayManChampionOfTheSun · 08/11/2018 09:30

I worked at Frankie's and Benny's for a while and at the time the managers calculated what amount you should have earnt in tips and you had to give a percentage of that to then for the kitchen staff - if you didn't earn the tips then you need to provide the tip percentage from your own cash

Is that a nationwide policy or just that the manager was a twat? I don't think I will be giving my business there again if this is true though. And I always tip unless the service is dreadful!

Vitalogy · 08/11/2018 09:31

InsuranceGirl That's disgusting, wonder if they still do it.

I will never leave a cash tip as It's most likely supporting tax evasion. Taxes should be paid. Dear me.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/11/2018 09:33

I will never leave a cash tip as It's most likely supporting tax evasion. Taxes should be paid.

There's always one Confused

shearwater · 08/11/2018 09:34

I usually leave 10-12% unless the service was poor. I have been known to ask for a default service charge to be omitted.

ileclerc · 08/11/2018 09:34

Just press no! I would never tip on card anyway, if I pay on card and want to tip I tip in cash.

mostdays · 08/11/2018 09:34

I waitressed for years. I'm very comfortable asking politely for the service charge to be removed. And I tip in cash.

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