restraunt service in England?

Question

Is that true that in England they don't refill your soft drinks for you at the restaurant when you sit down and eat with your family? If they don't do that, what happens? Do they charge you for a secondary drink then? Is it true that you don't leave tips to the wait staff? Here in America we give them at least 10 percent. It's customary. The reason for all the questions.....I have been playing Xbox 360 for a little while, and I have friends that I play with that are from England, and I have been playing with them for a long time, and now, I am getting ready to go to England for a couple weeks, and visit with a few of them. I want to know some of the customs when I get there, so that I don't look like a complete tosser. O, I was also told that I can't bring my Handgun with me, even though I have a concealed carry permit here. England isn't a very gun friendly country, i've been told. Anyway, I look forward to the responses. Cheers!

Answer 1

No they usually don't refill your drinks unless you ask depends where you go- some places charge - some don't...again..depends where you go!

If not then either you wait for them to walk past or come over to your table or you go to front and order one there..... don't call them over from the other side of the restaurant....(!)

No you cannot carry your gun here. end of story.

You do leave tips. Maybe not as much as over there. but definately do.. it is rude not to.

Answer 2

Whats that... ten questions in one? Using words like tosser and cheers? Think about this...

My father is american and my mother is english. Lived in england until I was 8 and traveled the world as a military brat. Joined the military and spent many years around the world. Though I have been to see family here and there when I came back from the middle east after 3 years I decided to go to england for a bit. I spent 6 months, the longest I had ever stayed as an adult.

Right away my speech patterns started to change back to what I had learned as a child. Fine and well but I figured something out real fast...... find yourself in a pub and speak like a "Yank" and people want to talk to you. In fact girls will come up and want to talk to you since you sound american. Tossing in british sayings if you do not honestly come by it sounds, well silly.

10% for tipping in america? What planet is that? It's 15% for normal service. 20% for great. Anyway the rule of thumb in England is that you do not tip and if you are in a pub you pay each time you order and do not run a tab. British people do not get the concept that if you are a good tipper in america you might get a free one here and there. Again, rule of thumb.... don't even try to tip. Even in the tourist places the tip is built in.

Gun carry? Well come on. If you know something about conceal and carry laws you would know the issues even in the US concerning weapons. England does not tolerate any weapons whatsoever! It takes effort to get a permit to just get a permit for a 22 for just target practice. Why do you need a weapon?

Honestly it sounds as if you are super young, not really thinking about the real world and just dreaming. No one is so stupid.

Answer 3

I went to England last year, depends on which resturant you go to some do refill and some don't. But they usually don't and if you ask for a refill, they will charge for a secondary drink.

Its not true that we don't leave tips, if you like the service then you should give some tips as a way of saying thank you. Its only when the service is crap then you don't need to give, have fun in england,cheers oh and no guns hehe

Answer 4

Wow. O.o

Normal restaurants do not usually refill soft drinks if they do it will say on the Menu.
You *Do* leave a tip but the amount is up to you. Since waiting staff do not depend on tips as they get paid, at the very least, minimum wage.
Do NOT bring your gun.... There is no reason to. Leave your paranoia at home =)