How US-style tipping came to Britain – and sparked outrage from diners and drinkers

12 comments

1. “Restaurateurs insist that service charges are always discretionary. But critics argue that, by automatically adding it to the bill, diners are put in an awkward position if they don’t want to pay it.

   [ … ]

   Data on tipping shows why restaurants may favour putting an automatic charge. The average value of tips given to cafés, restaurants, hairdressers and other businesses dropped from £4.65 in 2022 to £2.85 last year as consumers tightened their belts during the cost of living crisis, according to SumUp, which runs contactless payment terminals.

   [ … ]

   The increase in service charges is largely driven by a move towards cashless, and an increased use of electronic payment and electronic tipping. Venues have been faced with customers paying by credit card and then not having an ability to reward staff.”

2. The wages for service staff in the US has historically been poor because it was understood that you made your money through tipping for good service. You were expected to earn those tips. In the UK we have minimum wage so you are on the same wage as lots of other people in jobs where tipping can’t happen, so why should you receive tips anyway, let alone as a matter of course? I bought 2 coffees in a bar the other day and the contactless pay gizmo had the tip option. I have no problem saying no. Staff are being paid the going rate. No one tips retail staff, checkout staff, delivery drivers etc so why should they automatically tip service staff? As an ex barman and waiter, it annoyed me no end to see poor service rewarded because the customer felt obliged to tip.

3. One of the few American things I’m all for – unless you have awful service

4. Haven’t been to a restaurant in a really long time so I don’t know how it’s is now. But always tip my barber. £5 – £7… he does a Stellar job hiding my hideously bad receding hairline

5. I’ve moved from Britain to Canada and let me tell you, I hate the tipping culture.
   In the UK I’m happy to round up a bill for a nice number, or chuck in a tip for above and beyond service (especially if I’ve made a special request or they’ve been extra attentive).
   I would much rather my food cost £12 than it cost £10 and then have to tip 20%.
   I especially hate when that charge is added to the bill automatically as a service charge. I think it’s rude.

6. When I worked for Greene King we only received cash tips, those done via the till were kept by the company, maybe this is common in the service industry.

7. Repeat after me.

   >I am paying for a meal. You are paying the staff.

   If the staff are exceptional on the night I will always give a cash tip, but do not automatically add it.

   When it is automatically added, especially via card machine I have absolutely no idea who is getting that tip. You had better believe it had best not be the faceless company not the hard working worker so I simply won’t tip as I can’t be sure.

8. If I tip here in the UK its for good servic3, not just for any form of interaction.
   A nice sit down meal. Tabke service. Pleasant server. Good food. I’ll tip.
   Greasy spoon cafe. Macdonalds. The chippy. No way
   Delivery guys. If its on time and still warm and a reasonable £ value. I’ll tip then.

   Tip is for good service. Not for any service

9. Just put the displayed price up, don’t hide a charge until the end.

10. If you don’t believe in tipping, it curses you.

    Your jewellery heist goes wrong, and you die in a Mexican stand-off.

11. Quite a few bars that are card only now, the machine will ask what tip (if any) you wish to give before paying

    Ive nothing against tipping a restaurant or taxi driver by rounding the amount up to the nearest few quid, but im not tipping per beer i buy

12. Nope. I’m not going to tip in the UK, and I never have.

    I have, however, done so in the US when living and working over there, but only because my company reimbursed it at the bare minimum rate.