Should we tip more in the UK ?

tom_e · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:08

Nope, no one's ever tipped me for stopping them getting a kicking so I'm not going to tip someone who can just about manage to bring my food to me or whatever.
If we're in a group and we've been pains in the bum which we can be and they've taken it in the good humour it's intended and had a laugh with us then we'll normally tip.

Sunbed · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:09

Same as other in this thread. Don't really 'get' tipping but will do it in certain situations, often begrudgingly (so yeh, I should just man up and not do it).

I would hate to have the american system of tipping.

James J · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:16

I think tipping sends the wrong message to the employer, which results in the american system in the first place. You should only tip if the service you get is deserving of it in your opinion. Tipping because you feel you have to though due to a daft system just isn't on.

Gilly · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:16

Rich_L said:
If you're in a restaurant for work purposes why are you picking up the bill in the first place Get on that expenses gravy train

I don't claim tips. You can, but I don't. My employer didn't experience good service

I claim the meals, of course!

Judgeneo · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:17

No, I think tipping is handled quite well in the UK, at least outside of London where it seems more Americanised.

Tipping more than we do would lead to it being expected, rather than earned.

Rich_L · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:17

James J said:
I think tipping sends the wrong message to the employer, which results in the american system in the first place. You should only tip if the service you get is deserving of it in your opinion. Tipping because you feel you have to though due to a daft system just isn't on.

Yeah that pesky american system where service is, with very few exceptions, exceptional compared to here. Clearly it's not working

dan958 · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:18

Nope. They get paid a wage - I don't get tips in my job.

Why should the waiter/waitress get the tip when the cook did all the hard work?

xGBHxPegasus · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:20

As everyone's said above, only for amazing service.

I don't get tipped at work when fixing someone's issue (its usually abuse I get instead

)

Mat · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:22

Maybe we could call it Voluntary Commission? That's politically correct enough to pass under the American way of life radar, non?

Freefaller · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:25

No

I tip if it is deserved, if the people go above and beyond what I consider to be their duty. Otherwise, I always ask for the service charge to be removed, or just don't pay it. I will not be dictated as to how good the service was.

MooMoo444 · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:25

I don't mind tipping for good service as long as it doesn't become expected.

I went to a restaurant once with the Mrs and they put a 10% 'gratuity fee' onto the bill, without even asking us. I had to question it with the manager to get them to remove it. I kinda felt bad arguing over the tip but they had no right to just take it from my card.

D.P. · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:25

Tipping is the only way to get good service. There is no other incentive to give great service so if you dont tip you get lousy service like you get in the UK.

James J · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:26

dan958 said:
Nope. They get paid a wage - I don't get tips in my job.

Why should the waiter/waitress get the tip when the cook did all the hard work?

That's my underlying issue with it too. With my profession I don't get a bonus scheme or tips etc, yet offer a vital healthcare service to the local populace I tend to. I'm well aware that "one system doesn't fit all", but the minimum wage system was set up so that tipping wasn't a requirement in this country.

I'm going to an Italian restaurant tonight and I'll tip IF the service is exceptional. Anything less than that will result in no tip.

James J · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:27

D.P. said:
Tipping is the only way to get good service. There is no other incentive to give great service so if you dont tip you get lousy service like you get in the UK.

Wait, tipping is the only way to get good service? You get the service BEFORE you tip, so how does that work?

Shimz · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:28

dan958 said:
Nope. They get paid a wage - I don't get tips in my job.

Why should the waiter/waitress get the tip when the cook did all the hard work?

I totally agree, all the waiter/waitress did was take and order and deliver the food, don't some places share the tips afterwards though? and is that fair in itself?

elmarko · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:28

D.P. said:
Tipping is the only way to get good service. There is no other incentive to give great service so if you dont tip you get lousy service like you get in the UK.

How does that work exactly?, you tip at the end of a night pending on your experience. Tipping doesn't result in better service in the UK, better service results in tipping.

My personal experience of good & bad service isn't related to my tipping (which is more a matter of wealth redistribution not a reward for good service).

tom_e · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:29

Freefaller said:
No

I tip if it is deserved, if the people go above and beyond what I consider to be their duty. Otherwise, I always ask for the service charge to be removed, or just don't pay it. I will not be dictated as to how good the service was.

The looks you get when you ask for it to be removed are priceless, I went out for dinner on new years a few years ago and the food and service was shocking then they got all bent out of shape when I asked them to remove their 20% service charge from the bill.

tom_e · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:30

elmarko said:
How does that work exactly?, you tip at the end of a night pending on your experience. Tipping doesn't result in better service in the UK, better service results in tipping.

My personal experience of good & bad service isn't related to my tipping (which is more a matter of wealth redistribution not a reward for good service).

That's the thinking behind it, if someone knows they're going to get tipped then supposedly they'll work harder for it.

Freefaller · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:30

tom_e said:
The looks you get when you ask for it to be removed are priceless, I went out for dinner on new years a few years ago and the food and service was shocking then they got all bent out of shape when I asked them to remove their 20% service charge from the bill.

Indeed - if they're not willing to serve (afterall I'm also paying for the service) then I'm not willing to give them a bonus for exemplary service! I don't care, besides they can't spit in my food any more unless they spit in my mouth...

Mynight · 3 Jul 2014 at 14:30

elmarko said:
How does that work exactly?, you tip at the end of a night pending on your experience. Tipping doesn't result in better service in the UK, better service results in tipping.

My personal experience of good & bad service isn't related to my tipping (which is more a matter of wealth redistribution not a reward for good service).

If you tip a bartender at the beginning of a night they'll come to you first when they next see you useful on a busy night. Not sure how it would work in restaurant though.