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[Food] The NSC Great Tip Debate
- Thread starter Herr Tubthumper
- Start date
I always tip; always in cash, unless there’s a compulsory service charge (when I take note and don’t return). If there’s a suggested service charge, I ask the wait staff to remove it, and then tip as below.
10% if everything’s fine, 15% for very good service, 20% for truly exceptional (maybe once a year), 30p if the service is really poor - I don’t want them to be in any doubt that I forgot to tip.
10% if everything’s fine, 15% for very good service, 20% for truly exceptional (maybe once a year), 30p if the service is really poor - I don’t want them to be in any doubt that I forgot to tip.
- Thread starter
- #3
Same here. I also tip cabs and the hair dresser. I’m a bit old school I guess.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
How about tipping over and above the bill when it already includes a tip? If they include the tip on my bill I never leave more.
Always tip in cash and at least 10% for decent service, sometimes more if it is very good.
No tip if the service is crap and with attitude
I also tip hairdressers, taxis, the AA man and any workman who goes the extra mile when doing jobs.
Postie always gets a decent tip at Xmas, used to tip the binmen when they collected the bins but since I now have to put them out and they often leave paper and things that tip out of the bins when they are attaching them to the dustcart I no longer bother.
Always tip in cash and at least 10% for decent service, sometimes more if it is very good.
No tip if the service is crap and with attitude
I also tip hairdressers, taxis, the AA man and any workman who goes the extra mile when doing jobs.
Postie always gets a decent tip at Xmas, used to tip the binmen when they collected the bins but since I now have to put them out and they often leave paper and things that tip out of the bins when they are attaching them to the dustcart I no longer bother.
Yep, I tip those two as well - 10% for taxis, 40% for my hairdresser. Though, the latter is my neighbour who charges me a fiver, so I give her £7...
I slip a tenner or £20 to visiting workmen (boiler repair man, sparky, plumber etc), and a tenner to each refuse collection crew at Christmas.
I also drop any copper change I get into the shop’s charity box - cba to carry it around.
As someone who worked in pubs and restaurants for 5 years (3 in Brighton) tips change everything.
Worked in a restaurant down by the seafront where 10% optional service charge was added to every bill (99% of customers had no issue with this) and it made all the difference. Hours were often long and people were often incredibly rude, frequently to unacceptable standards. The extra money in tips (could double my wage on a good night) was some relief to what would feel like a pretty taxing job a lot of the time.
Personally, I believe that anywhere the staff are paid minimum wage and still provide a good service, you should tip.
Worked in a restaurant down by the seafront where 10% optional service charge was added to every bill (99% of customers had no issue with this) and it made all the difference. Hours were often long and people were often incredibly rude, frequently to unacceptable standards. The extra money in tips (could double my wage on a good night) was some relief to what would feel like a pretty taxing job a lot of the time.
Personally, I believe that anywhere the staff are paid minimum wage and still provide a good service, you should tip.
- Thread starter
- #9
Difficult to argue against this. I worked in a restaurant during my A levels (The Coach House in Rottingdean) and whilst the punters were generally pleasant it’s a tough gig at times and the tips made a huge difference. The owners were fantastic though, I had friends who worked in other places with tossers for bosses and they had it tough most of the time.
Tricky Dicky
New member
Me too, though I don't seem to have a comprehensive tipping policy. Cabs I tend to round up to the nearest pound unless it's too little. Barbers I probably add 2 or 3 quid to a £14 bill - the mid-cut chat might dictate the amount. I don't tip dustmen, postmen. Sometimes tip take-away delivery chaps - though I rarely have take-aways these days.
I generally tip waiting staff. I do expect something more than just having a menu slapped down on the table and meals thrown at me though. I expect a little bit of interaction from the waiting staff - recommendations from the menu etc. I never pay a service charge.
I used to tip taxi drivers but as prices went up and the service went down I stopped and now with Uber tipping seems an irrelevance.
I used to tip taxi drivers but as prices went up and the service went down I stopped and now with Uber tipping seems an irrelevance.
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I don't have the 20% level myself, I believe 15% should be plenty. I haven't done the 30p thing but I do love that idea so I'll be following your example going forward.
I tip in a restaurant if the service has been good, definitely wouldn't tip if the service was crap.
Even if the food isn't 100% that isn't the fault of the waiting staff.
I don't use taxis very often but when I do I tip the driver, I wouldn't if one deliberately went round the houses for extra fare though.
Even if the food isn't 100% that isn't the fault of the waiting staff.
I don't use taxis very often but when I do I tip the driver, I wouldn't if one deliberately went round the houses for extra fare though.
Yes Chef
Well-known member
When I eat out I automatically have it in my head to tip, it's possibly some kind of professional empathy. If I don't then it's because something has gone considerably wrong, not just a petty gripe.
It's worth bearing in mind whether kitchen staff get a share of the tips as well
It's worth bearing in mind whether kitchen staff get a share of the tips as well
Yes Chef
Well-known member
This isn't necessarily true, chef's often come unstuck when compensating for front of house mistakes
According to food and service UNLESS the menu shouts 'service not included' impying the staff won't be paid unless I tip. In which case I don't tip and never return.
I watched a game once in one of the Amex boxes, those of you that have experienced this somewhat different match day experience will know that you have a dedicated server who gets your drinks from somewhere else and brings them in as when required.
On that night the unofficial leader of the box insisted on a tenner a head tip for the young lady!!! There were 12 of us in there........
On that night the unofficial leader of the box insisted on a tenner a head tip for the young lady!!! There were 12 of us in there........
maltaseagull
Well-known member
I always tip in restaurants and taxis.
But it's odd that having worked in other service industries where tipping isn't the norm, I have to wonder why do we tip people for doing their job.
Checkout operator at the supermarket gives superb service but gets nothing.
Assistant at DIY store gives advice but gets nothing.
Barmaid/ Barman in a pub? OK, we always used to buy them a drink but how many do that now?
But it's odd that having worked in other service industries where tipping isn't the norm, I have to wonder why do we tip people for doing their job.
Checkout operator at the supermarket gives superb service but gets nothing.
Assistant at DIY store gives advice but gets nothing.
Barmaid/ Barman in a pub? OK, we always used to buy them a drink but how many do that now?
Sorry I don't know what you mean, I've never worked in catering.
Maybe I should have explained my point.
When out for a meal a few months back I ordered deep fried Brie for starters for myself and my wife, the Brie was still frozen in the middle. Both were obviously sent back.
The waiter wasn't at fault in my opinion and his service was very good, so he was tipped.
Hampster Gull
Well-known member
- Dec 22, 2010
- 13,465
Um, I tip if it’s a good experience not because I am trying to make a sociological point or to try and compensate the base pay (and yes I’ve been a waiter) or whatever. My threshold though is pretty low so nearly always tip but when the service is really really poor then I don’t. I have only once asked for the pre loaded tip to be removed.