Services you tip?

barber, taxis, restaurants.

The only time I don't is if there is something wrong with the service. For instance, if I'm in a restaurant, I order my steak, I want it medium rare, if it comes out over cooked, I wont not tip the waiter if he's still done a good job. But if its a case of when I leave a tip I can either do it on the machine or by giving change, I'll opt to do it by change if the chef had been bad in order to ensure the tips are less likely to be shared out.

Aside from that I don't think its necessary to tip anyone else. If it the guy in the toilets with all his aftershave etc, tip him if you use his aftershave, but I don't bloody need him to dry my hands or turn the tap on for me thanks.

When I was in Egypt, I flew to Cairo from Sharm El Sheik for the day to see the pyramids, and on the way back at Cairo airport, I went to the toilet, washed my hands, there were signs everywhere saying "DO NOT TIP STAFF". I went to the hand dryer and the cleaner tapped it on for me. Dry my hands, as im walking of I hear a mumble. I turn around and say "sorry?" and the cleaner goes "gimme some money". I just laughed and walked away. Money for turning the hand dryer on? Please. Leave me alone. Polish my shoes and yes maybe. But the hand dryer button?!?!
 
Skidder said:
You are quite simply wrong. It is a part of our culture to tip in restaurants and has been for a long time.

There is debate as to the roots of tipping with either ancient Rome or medieval Britain cited.

I am not saying I love every aspect of tipping but it seems to me you're inventing your own history/culture in order to justify being a tight wad.

This is quite interesting "
•Tipping appeared in coffeehouses and pubs in 18th-century England. Signs reading "to insure promptitude" adorned prominently placed containers to encourage patrons to tip in order to hasten service, according to Sharon L. Fullen, who has written about tipping practices in "The Complete Guide to Tips & Gratuities." Customers also started tipping in exchange for an unique service, and tipping became a marker of social status. During this period, household guests also tipped the servants of their hosts; the money given to the servants was known as "vails." At first guests offered vails for good service, but eventually vails became expected."



http://www.ehow.com/about_6192417_history-tipping.html
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Shall I raise you the first ten search results that say it isnt expected, common practice or a common custom in the UK?

Y/N
 
atpbx said:
Shall I raise you the first ten search results that say it isnt expected, common practice or a common custom in the UK?

Y/N
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Do you seriously think it is not common practice to tip in restaurants? You are wrong on that, no two ways about it. You don't have to like it, but it is the norm (and I'm not talking about fast food, cafes etc. but restaurants)
 
Taxis cost enough as it is without voluntarily giving them more.

I generally leave a tip in restaurants so long as the waiter/waitress was friendly and the food didn't take forever to arrive
 
Haircuts (£1.50) and meals.

Will usually round the bill to the nearest multiple of 5, if the food was good or the waiter/waitress was good.
 
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Pretty much only restaurants if the service and food have been good.

Occasionally if I'm having a good night in a bar and the staff are friendly and chatty, I'll get them a couple of drinks too.
 
I only tip people if they deserve it.

I know some people will probably say this is wrong but I'm generally against tipping for the sake of tipping, I know full well waiters etc make some of their wages from it but that's not my problem.

Just to clarify, by "deserve it" I mean treat my like a valued customer, an apology if food is a bit late, coming to the table to check if everything is fine/if we want more drinks etc, good service in general.

I also refuse to eat anywhere that has a compulsory service charge, if I don't have a choice, I won't leave an extra tip.
 
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Fenris said:
I know some people will probably say this is wrong but I'm generally against tipping for the sake of tipping, I know full well waiters etc make some of their wages from it but that's not my problem.
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Totally agree, we have minimum wage and if people didn't keep tipping, we would have far better service. Even low quality service abroad is far better than most places in the uk.
Make them wok for the tip.
 
J-FRO said:
barber, taxis, restaurants.

The only time I don't is if there is something wrong with the service. For instance, if I'm in a restaurant, I order my steak, I want it medium rare, if it comes out over cooked, I wont not tip the waiter if he's still done a good job.
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why don't you just send the steak back :)
 
If he can't get it right the first time, I'd rather he didn't bother trying to correct it either. Probably under-cook it then.
 
Skidder said:
You are quite simply wrong. It is a part of our culture to tip in restaurants and has been for a long time.
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Oh look, the social pressure to fit in.
I very rarely, if ever tip unless I'm in a place in which it's the norm, as much as I hate it. I could argue about it a lot, assuming of course everyone can afford to tip, that the person being tipped even needs it, or the job being done deserves it.

When I was younger I had minimum wage jobs but I didn't get a tip because it wasn't the kind of place you'd expect to. But others are? I never understood this, so I won't take favour to one or another.
 
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