Why do English people tip like they are still in England when they are abroad?

Question

Ok, I get it, tipping isn't a cultural phenomenon in England and Europe like it is in the U.S. I know that your servers get paid decent hourly wages there, and you never tip a bartender. My question is why, when you visit the states, do you still follow those rules?Do you guys know that we only get paid $3 an hour and rely solely on tips for our income? I love to wait on English tables becaue they are so polite and friendly. But I hate it when I get a poor tip at the end when I gave great service. Do you know how to tip here but just don't? What gives? There little tip cards in the check books that give tipping standards in America. Do you not even read them?

If you can afford to take a holiday to a foreign country and spend $30-$40 on a meal for yourself then you can certainly afford to leave a decent tip. Besides the dollar is so weak it's like everything is half price in pounds. And by check book I mean the book that is placed on your table with your bill in it that has a little card on the inside that clearly states, in several languages, standard tipping practices.

Ha, ha. My job is great, it pays my way throught college. All I am asking is that people be aware of cultural differences before they travel abroad. I lived in England for a while, and I always tipped accordingly to customary standards. Anyone who doesn't study up on the country they are visiting is a wanker. When in Rome do as the Romans, I guess the English do as the English regardless of what country they are in.

Answer 1

Tipping is an 'extra' for good service - not part of the bill itself - therefore it's at the discretion of the customer.

Instead of getting narky at customers why don't you direct your anger toward your employer - after all, if you can't survive on what they pay, but have to rely on the goodwill of customers it's them that's taking advantage - not some tourist who may have been saving for years to get a holiday.

Most europeans will tip well for good service but find it extremely embarressing/uncomfortable that generous tipping is expected in the US whatever the level of service.

PS The notes you've added later show what an utter moron you really are. You still don't get it, do you? The tip is descretionary. It's not for you, the employee, to decide what you think someone else should give you as a tip or gift - it's the customer who decides what they think your service was worth. Cultural differences have nothing to do with it. I'm not surprised you get tipped so little with your rude and greedy attitude! Just desserts!!!

Answer 2

I agree with what a lot of people have said here. Tipping is not usual in the UK.
One: because 9 times out of 10, the restaurant adds on an extra 12.5% to the bill itself so therefore it is taken automatically, (however they do let you know if it is discretionary or not, and if so, you can have it removed.)
Two: Like some of the people here have said, we see a tip as being a little extra thank you to the individual waiter if they have given good service and I suppose a personal bonus individual to them.

Like over here, waiters are not that well paid either, but there is a standard wage that applies to everyone, and no matter what business you work in, this is the minimum that the employers have to pay an employee and that they are not allowed to go below this.

And the third, I suppose you can say that we see that it is the restaurants responsibility (as a business) to pay their staff not rely on the customers, after all the restaurant is a business in itself and if we had to keep paying for the staff everywhere every time we went out to a restaurant/bar etc, people would soon stop going out.

Answer 3

Sorry, but you sound like a beggar,
and you make your country, which is an economic powerhouse, sound like a third-world poverty shack.

Tipping is a privilege, not a right.
$3 (£1.57) an hour isn't much, it's true, but it's your responsibility to find a job that pays amply. No one owes you a living.

And actually, it can be good for your country that your dollar is weak, because it means that as goods are cheaper to buy there, it can attract customers from abroad, thus helping the economy.

But you've obviously no idea how much British citizens are taxed and charged to the hilt.

Try and consider the situations of others before complaining about them and begging for rewards.

Answer 4

Sheer ignorance, I'm afraid. Where we come from tipping has no set amount, it's just what feels right according to the standard of service. 15% sounds like a lot to us. Especially families with children who may have stretched themselves to pay for the holiday.

And what do you mean by check books that give tipping standards? If you mean cheques you write out or travellers cheques - most people get money from ATMs these days.

Answer 5

Gosh, what a cheeky person you are!!Whats it got to do with anyone who you wait on, how much per hour you get? it not their problem,its yours! If you feel your wages are so low,why not work some place else? People in the UK work hard for their money,just the same as you do! Perhaps if you learnt not to expect,you will not be disappointed! I'm beginning to dislike Americans the more I read on these boards.Greedy,self centred, arrogant lot! You sound like a spoilt brat!

Answer 6

I never knew you got such low wages per-hour. I always give just over 10%. I heard that it should be about 20% of your meal well if your meal comes to $100 dollars thats an extra $20 to put on it and I think thats too much. You must be ab le to get a better job!

Answer 7

A tip is a reward, not a right and tipping is not part of the English culture I sugest you contact you congress man and have him pass a law so you get paid real wages. I know he won't do it because your bosses are paying him to prevent you get real wages.

Answer 8

Instead of complaining perhaps you should look for something else

Answer 9

Tipping is a reward for service here not an essential.We tip if and only if we feel we get good service not because the "server" expects it.

Answer 10

do you think we are all made of money in the UK ,our utilities are going up all the time interest rates council tax mortgage petrol .if we are on holiday then some of us are working on a very restricted budget ,the rates of pay are not that great in the UK either .research your facts before you criticize us and generalize all of us in the UK .