Im British and Dont understand tipping

arknor said:
only worth it if your rich with tons of bags then and don't mind waiting 30mins in your room :D

someone should do a social experiment smart casual vs stupidly expensive suit guy and see who gets the best service
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Already done by me...

Be young in London and go to expensive shops/restaurants and you'll be followed around in shops and ignored in restaurants. Wear a good suit and they will leave you alone in shops and spend their time trying to attend to every thing you need in a restaurant.:p

It makes a massive difference in my experience and I presume many others.
 
Amp34 said:
It bothers me slightly when someone comes back and asks "how is your food?". It's fine thanks... If it wasn't I would have made you aware of it...
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Its a corporate thing. They seem to think diners want you to ask them if their meal is ok in the middle of their meal.

Its awkward for the server as they don't want to interrupt your conversation or meal but if they don't they might face disciplinary :(
 
wesimmo said:
+1 And are they trained to wait until you've just filled your mouth so end up looking like a nodding gesticulating weirdo mute person in an effort to give an affirmative without spitting food everywhere.
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:D

Mynight said:
Its a corporate thing. They seem to think diners want you to ask them if their meal is ok in the middle of their meal.

Its awkward for the server as they don't want to interrupt your conversation or meal but if they don't they might face disciplinary :(
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Happens in most small restaurants I go to as well... It's standard fare whether you're going for a Pizza in Pizza express or paying £25 for a main in a small privately owned restaurant (and the one Michelin star restaurant I've been to.
 
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I tip in restaurants, often even when the service is average, it just seems like the done thing. I recently started to pay my take away food with my card online which includes a delivery charge...but I'm still left with lingering delivery drivers expecting a tip. Sometimes I'll even throw them a couple of coins. Hate the expectations.
 
I only usually tip when eating in a restaurant if the service has been decent, and alao takeaway delivery drivers usually get a couple of quid from me unless they take forever
 
Amp34 said:
Happens in most small restaurants I go to as well... It's standard fare whether you're going for a Pizza in Pizza express or paying £25 for a main in a small privately owned restaurant (and the one Michelin star restaurant I've been to.
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When I had to serve food at the nightclub it was the part I hated most of all. I knew diners just wanted their meal and to chat with friends. If there was an issue they'd get my attention and tell me. If they didn't its highly unlikely they'd tell me when I ask them.

Was a real sod trying to time it so they didn't have a mouthful of food or in mid conversation lol. I was disciplined twice before they stopped asking me to serve food as I refused to do it :D
 
I hate tipping, whenever I go to a country where it's expected it makes me feel awkward, I mean the basic idea is they get paid a lower wage and you're expected to make up for it by rewarding them for doing their job competently, our system of people being paid a proper wage and not tipped works much better.
 
ubersonic said:
I hate tipping, whenever I go to a country where it's expected it makes me feel awkward, I mean the basic idea is they get paid a lower wage and you're expected to make up for it by rewarding them for doing their job competently, our system of people being paid a proper wage and not tipped works much better.
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It doesn't work though that's the point. We are known for our poor service and we are well down the rank list on survive provided.
People want money. It's why companies give a bonus, it's a very cheapo way of motivating people.
It's hard to do that for customer service as their aren't really any performance measures to go by. Customers is the one who is affected and best place to decide.
 
Cosmic182 said:
Why should you need encouragement (bonus) to be loyal and to do a job to your max? Shouldn't be there if you're not willing to do that without a bonus.
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Tummy said:
Why would you accept it though? You're already being paid a wage to do your job.
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Here Here. I bet these people wouldn't turn down their bonuses. After all, it's an incentive to do your job better. Just like a 'tip' is.
 
wez130 said:
Here Here. I bet these people wouldn't turn down their bonuses. After all, it's an incentive to do your job better. Just like a 'tip' is.
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I don't think its anything like it, but you are not the first that thinks it.
 
Craig321 said:
This exactly. They're already being paid for their job, if they go beyond that then I'll tip (maybe).

The Americans are big into it. I had a burger and chips in a NY restaurant, nothing particularly special. On my way out the guy has a right go whining about how this is American and 'we tip in America'. :rolleyes:. He literally cooked it and served it up, as I paid him to do, nothing more nothing less and he still expected a tip.
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its out of control over there - they expect tips for takeaway orders or for the people who show you to your table at a buffet...

tipping an actual waiter perhaps has some justification to it if they've spent time getting your order, making recommendations, bringing your food, checking everything is OK etc..etc.. but its now turned into an entitlement thing - the employers over there rely on the fact their staff are going to be tipped and underpay them as a result.... its not an extra thank you for good service its a semi-compulsory additional charge to your bill
 
Cosmic182 said:
Why should you need encouragement (bonus) to be loyal and to do a job to your max? Shouldn't be there if you're not willing to do that without a bonus.
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point is that like tips a bonus shouldn't be a default part of compensation necessarily.... both should be things that can be earned though neither should necessarily be expected...
 
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