Comments on: Tipping in the UK: advice from a local

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 06:42:42 +0000

Thanks for your input Nikki. You’re not alone. I do think that the further from London you go, and the less tourists visit a place, the less expectation there is on tipping.
Your point on other jobs not getting tips is spot on. Yes, waiting tables or bar work can be tough. But to claim it’s worthy of some of the wages I’ve read being suggested is ridiculous.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:54:40 +0000

I have worked as a waitress and barmaid (in England) and for this reason I don’t tip. It’s not a particularly hard job; yes it’s minimum wage but so are many other jobs. I worked in a nursery on minimum wage and did I get tipped, even though the job was ten times harder? No I did not!
I never tip in the UK but it’s really not an unusual thing. Most of my friends/family don’t tip either.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:14:25 +0000

‘Keep the change’ is indeed a very often used term. Jeremy, I think we’re still some way short of the US in terms of expectation of tips (and sub-minimum wage service sector salaries). But yes, closer to US than rest of Europe in so many ways…10% is restaurants is pretty much standard these days. Where that 10% actually goes is a bit more variable though.

By: Jeremy Branham

Jeremy Branham — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:13:51 +0000

I’ve yet to visit the UK but didn’t realize it was so much like the US as opposed to the rest of Europe. I know for many countries in Europe, tipping isn’t necessary but you can round up if you want. Didn’t realize you did 10% in restaurants as well.

By: Mike C

Mike C — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Tipping in a pub? Never, no chance, jog on.

if a couple of quid were left by an empty glass in my local, someone other than the barman would have it off.

I tip taxi drivers but only because they get paid pittence and are often classed as self-employed etc.

By: islandmomma

islandmomma — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:09:17 +0000

Interesting. It has struck me recently that living outside of UK for 24 years, many things that I thought were part & parcel of life there have changed without me realizing. No matter how long one lives elsewhere one can’t change the basic fact of one’s nationality, and assume one knows all about one’s country.

Obviously tipping has changed over the years. One of the pleasant things about life here in the Canary Islands 24 years ago was that tipping was unusual. I once had a guy chase me out of a restaurant and down the street to return money I’d left by my plate in a pizzeria!

I always used to use a similar phrase to the one Keith suggests “Take a drink for yourself” in a pub or bar where we were going to pass an evening (as opposed to a quick drink before going elsewhere). It usually meant good service for the rest of the night. I also used to leave left-over cash in the room for the maid in a hotel.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:34:54 +0000

Two useful phrases for travellers to UK:

‘Keep the change!’

‘Something for yourself?’

And, only use when the service is really ‘above and beyond’.