To have tipped the waitress a fiver?

[listsandbudgets]

I went out for lunch with a friend yesterday - basic pub grub type of place.

The waitress was absolutely lovely. She found water for the dog without being asked, cleared efficiently , came over quickly if we were trying to get her attention and generally did her job very cheerfully. It may sound silly but she made a "pub grub" meal feel quite upmarket.

She was obviously very young - maybe 15 or 16 a I thought given how well she was working I'd give her a fiver (we only spent £25 so it was quite a good percentage tip) She seemed pleased

After we left my friend berated me saying that she was far too young for such a big tip and was only doing her job and that she'd just spend it on "crap" anyway and it would give her unreasonable expectations about life... and she hoped I wasn't going to expect her to contribute as she'd never have tipped anyone so young anyway as they don't really need the money.

I think she might soon be an ex friend!

So was IBU or have I led the poor girl into a path of unreasonable expectation and buying endless "crap"

your friend has an odd approach to tipping - generally people tip based on the service they received, not adjusting for how old they are and what they’re likely to spend their cash on!

My 15 yo has recently started a job at a gorgeous tea room in a historic town. It's always super busy and she works very hard waiting tables. The pay is crap, but she loves earning her own money, and is now more mindful of what she spends it on. The tea rooms have a 'tip' jar. They offer her nothing from it despite how hard she works. If someone tipped her a fiver she'd be too honest and put it in the jar, but I don't think you were being unreasonable. I generally tip the waitress serving our table and say 'put it in your pocket' but I know most places share the tips out, including the chef too.

Loathe tight people! Not endearing at all.
I can think of a very mean in law that would never, ever tip anywhere.

What has her age got to do with it? She's working just as hard as a 25 year old and is probably earning way less so a £5 tip was probably very gratefully received!

A fiver for the trash to take itself out? Bargain.