Page 3 | to not leave a tip after a pub meal?

MuffinToptheMule · 05/02/2010 10:34

I leave a tip if the service has been good. If the service is poor then I don't. The tip I leave is often small. I can't afford to leave a large tip. I earn minimum wage myself.

Fluffyone · 05/02/2010 10:35

I tip good service, so not all service. If I got bad service then I probably wouldn't go back anyway, we are spoilt for choice on places to eat where I live.
I was in New York recently and actually hated the automatic 20% tips added to bills, and the expectation from everyone that they would get a 20% tip. In some cases it seemed to mean that they just didn't bother to give a good service, they knew the result would be the same whatever.

gorionine · 05/02/2010 10:40

I also desagree with "forced tip" added to bills.

LittleWhiteWolf · 05/02/2010 10:55

My nan was scandalised once when she, my cousin and I stopped for a meal at a pub as we were driving her home (1.5 hour trip) and I refused to tip. It was a few days after Xmas and the half empty pub was staffed by a couple of people who looked my age at the time (22). They were clearly bored of having to serve us and took ages in spite of having very few customers. The food was crap, too.
So, no, nana, no tip for them.

Thats how it works in my book--I even ask to remove the tip if its been added on already and I dont believe its deserved. I dont ask for much so its not often I dont tip!

Hulababy · 05/02/2010 11:01

Wherever I am, pub or restaurant, I tip good service. If I don't get good service I don't leave a tip.

I don't tip at the types of places where you pay at the till first and get brought your meal. Often then you pay first, so I don't go back and tip. Same as fast food type places - wouldn't ever tip there either.

I am not keen on the way automatic tippping is going over here. I would rather employers actually paid their staff better.

Lots of low paid staff don't have tip. Not sure why some deserve tips and others dont really. I can think of other jobs much harder, but still as low paid, as waitressing where you do't get tips.

In the US 20% tips are now expected and I find that ! One of PIL's friends went to the US and were followed out of the restaurant down a road by an angry waiting staff shouting they hadn't left hm enough of a tip!!!

Hulababy · 05/02/2010 11:06

By MrsChemist Thu 04-Feb-10 22:08:26
If you've been running around like a blue arsed fly for 6 hours straight, getting abuse from arseholes and still manage to be pleasant and have a smile on your face, then you deserve a tip.

I disagree. You do not deserve a tip from a customer. You deserve a decent pay packer from your employer.

I used to get just over £2 an hour for working at Burgerking. It was hectic, loads of abuse from customers, on your feet, running around, hot working conditions, etc. I still smiles, went out of my way to sort things out, made sure the place was clean and tidy, took orders to customers who couldn't carry them (wheelchair, mums with prams, orders that had to be waited for), etc. Did you get tips? Of course not - who tips a fast food worker?

I did get tips for my parties - I was party hostess after school and on Sundays. But not always - and boy, did I earn my money those days!!!

GetOrfMoiLand · 05/02/2010 11:14

I don't mind the auto tipping in America as (a) eating out is generally a lot xcheaper than the equivalent in the UK and (b) in the main the service is a lot better.

I think the non-negotiableness of it makes it easier, there are no discussions about tipping or not, you just do it. better that way but I can't imagine it catching on here.

mayorquimby · 05/02/2010 11:18

"All this and more is why waitstaff get tips and checkout staff don't. "

Why?everything you described above is their job?
If they are getting paid too little that is an issue for their employer and them to sort out. By tipping you just give the employers an excuse to continue to pay shitty wages while they let the customers make up the difference.

YanknCock · 05/02/2010 15:21

I used to waitress in the U.S. and have worked in a pub that served food in the UK.

In the U.S. it is legal to pay less than half of minimum wage as it is expected that wait staff earn most of their money from tips. Everything ran through the computer system so at the end of a shift it would print out my total sales number, and then my tax would be worked out on the basis of 8% of my sales plus the basic wage. I actually averaged 17% of my sales in tips, so effectively got half my tips tax free. Basically, you are paying for the service separately, it isn't included in the cost of food (which is why it tends to be cheaper).

Over here, I got minimum wage for working in the pub and didn't expect tips. It was nice when someone said 'and one for yourself' (why does that mean 20p, BTW? don't really get that), but I didn't expect it. People ordered their food at the bar, and I'd bring it over, but they got their own cutlery and sauces. I cleared up after, but it was just part of the job, and I didn't do table service for drinks or check on them during the meal or anything.

So my answer is no, if it's a pub where you order at the bar, I don't leave a tip.

wubblybubbly · 05/02/2010 15:59

Like someone said earlier, it's the relationship isn't it? A waiter/ hairdresser/taxi driver all spend a considerable amount of time with you as a person, they can massively enhance your experience by going over and above the bare minimum that is necessary to do their job.

If I get a lovely taxi driver, who chats and entertains me, helps me with my bags, opens doors etc, then he/she gets a tip. Because that person has gone out of their way to make my trip a little easier. They don't have to do it, they could sit on their arse and not say a word.

Same with waiting staff, it really adds to the experience if you're served by someone who seems to really care that you have a good evening and enjoy your meal, tops up your wine glass, smiles and who somehow manages to not hang over you yet always be there when you require something.

That kind of service is personal and deserves to be acknowledged. People who don't recognise good service with a tip really are rude IMO.

Fluffyone · 05/02/2010 16:57

"I don't mind the auto tipping in America as (a) eating out is generally a lot xcheaper than the equivalent in the UK and (b) in the main the service is a lot better."
Lucky you. Most of the service we got in NY was indifferent at best. And a 20% tip is extortionate.

pooexplosions · 05/02/2010 17:02

people who insist everyone should tip based on their own ideas of social relations are rude imo.

wubblybubbly · 05/02/2010 17:43

Oh I don't insist poo, I'm happy to let people do whatever they want and then I talk about them later

kslatts · 05/02/2010 18:12

Normally at a pub where you order at the bar I wouldn't, but if the service was exceptional I would.

Maize · 05/02/2010 18:29

I think this assumption that waitresses are the only people on minimum wage who give personal service is a bit odd.

What about all those millions of people working as carers for minimum wage - now thats a crap job, rubbish hours, always having to go above and beyond, heavy workload, being an advocate for your client, dealing with death etc etc. They don't expect a top of course but honestly I think work such as that deserves a tip far far more than someone in the food service industry!

I tip for good service and only good service.

2boys2 · 05/02/2010 20:03

i would love a tip for just doing the job that i am employed to do ................ but being a nurse i find this highly unlikely!!

wubblybubbly · 05/02/2010 20:10

2boys2, I usually buy nurses a thank you gift, chocolates or something and always a thank you card.

2boys2 · 05/02/2010 20:33

i work in theatre recovery - we get nothing. Not even a mention on Holby

wubblybubbly · 05/02/2010 21:22

I'll remember that next time 2boys2, I'll make sure theatre recovery aren't forgotten

ravenAK · 05/02/2010 21:38

I'm an ex-publican with years of bartending, cooking & waiting tables experience, & I nearly always tip (10%, or 15% if they've gone out of their way to be helpful). Not at all if the service is crap.

I remember all too well how an unexpected fiver tip used to cheer me up.

When I ran pubs, it was generally acknowledged that the waiting staff had the crappest job & deserved the tips (whereas the bar staff got the banter & the odd drink bought, & the kitchen staff could wear scruffy tee shirts & swear a lot).

But no, if you don't want to tip, you shouldn't feel you have to - the 'deal' is that the staff get minimum wage.

2boys2 · 06/02/2010 08:28

diddl · 06/02/2010 08:39

Well I would say that pubs charge enough for their food to "tip" the staff themselves from the profits!

VigourMortis · 06/02/2010 08:56

When we lived in China we got inscrutable looks when we tipped in restaurants and hotels etc. so we left larger and larger percentages in an attempt to ingratiate ourselves before finally finding out it's seen as an insult...

PfftTheMagicDragon · 06/02/2010 10:07

I don't tip because they get minimum wage - tipping as standard does nothing to encourage the raising of this wage, plus poor service does not get a tip no matter how shit your pay is.

If you have served me well, you get a tip. If there is no service bar table clearing, you do not get a tip. If you are miserable sod, you get no tip.