People from the UK on vacation (holiday) here in the US...?

Question

I am not trying to be rude or make assumptions, but I work in the service industry (servers/waiters, bartenders, etc.) here in the U.S. and typically when we get a table or bar guest with a UK accent, we groan because we know we are getting a bad tip. Do people from the UK tip like that intentionally (I know most of the world hates Americans) or do they just not know any better? Typically in the US, you are supposed to tip 15% of the total bill for average service and 20% for good service (even to bartenders). Is it different over there?

I said "we" not "me." It is a widespread phenomenon. And yes, it is usually about 10%, so that answers my question. No need to be rude about it, it was just a question.

Oh, and **** face or whatever your name is, I am in school, so this is a real job. I make about $1000/week (500 pounds) for working 20 hours/week. Do you even have any idea what redneck means? I hardly think a redneck wears white gloves to work every day, troll. To others, my wage (if you could even call it that) is only $3.65/hr (which is the minimum you can pay tipped employees here) when the hourly minimum wage for non-tipped is $6.67/hr

Mr Mills, the only reason I make that much is because I work in a place where a steak is $54.99 (22 pounds, fifty pence), a plate of pasta is $39.99 (20 pounds), etc. That may not sound like a lot, but think about if the $ was equal to the pound and a steak cost 55 pounds? That's expensive, so the clientele that frequents a place like that expects a lot. You have to bust your @ss to please them. I work hard for my money and I am used to a certain standard, when it is below what I am used to, it is frustrating. It is the same for people who work at say, Waffle House, where the bill for one person is usually no more than $10. Especially since I only get paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $50/week after taxes.

Uh, Miss X*Mas, I guess you REALLY don't understand tipping. I make $3.65/hr PLUS TIPS. That's the whole reason for this question in the first place. I wouldn't make that much money if people didn't tip me 15%-20%. When people tip me 10%, that is a bad tip and cuts out of my money. the reason that sucks for us is because we only get paid $3.65/hr FROM THE RESTAURANT. The rest is all tips. Then I have to tip the bussers, bartenders, sommlier, and food runners all out of my pocket. If you don't tip me, I basically paid for part of your meal by tipping them when i didn't even get a tip. Is that clear enough for you now?

Answer 1

Yes ( I'm Canadian ) in the US laws allow employers in the service industry to pay lower wages because tipping is expected. Other countries don't permit this. 10% is the standard tip in the country which invented the custom.

Since my parents at times worked in the service industry I usually overtip. I also tend to be a regular and get the same wait staff often. Last year when found out my regular breakfast waitress was taking her family to the Ukraine for a visit during which her children would be meeting their grandparents for the first time. I gave her a set of Pimsleur Ukraine CD's for the kids to let them practice before meeting their Grandparent's.

Answer 2

In the UK it's different - waiters get 10% for good service & nothing for poor service, sometimes we would tip taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers. Tipping seems to be much more widespread in the US and people usually tip more over there. I had to teach an American friend of mine that in the UK it's OK not to tip all the time, especially if you're a poor student! I think the tourists you encounter just don't know what tip is expected over there.

The US government ought to ensure that everyone is paid a fair wage, not 2 different minimum wages so that everyone has to tip so that these people get a decent wage.

I wish I got £500 per week for just 20 hrs work!

Answer 3

We usually do tip in restaurant about 10% of the bill. Where you go to the bar for your drinks it would be unusual to tip. I am sorry to say that I think in America the tipping situation is really outragious and downright embarrassing. I have travelled all over the world and no other country behaves with regard to tipping as you do in America. If you earn equiv to £500 for 20 hrs work you are extremely well paid, although when you mention your hourly rate the figures do not match up so what you are saying is rather confusing. I honestly think the majority of visitors to US are absolutely disgusted the way you all 'beg' for tips, Likr you I don't mean to be rude but am not apologising for what I say as everywhere you go there are notices about tipping. Probably people in low paid positions who give good service deserve a tip but on a recent visit to US I travelled by hellicopter and there once again was a notice stating the pilot expected a gratuity.........are you trying to tell me a hellicopter pilot is in the lower paid ranks? I think if you think you deserve to be tipped as not paid enough then you should take a look at your country on the whole with regard to tipping, EVERYONE expects to be tipped and I can assure you in any country I have visited most people have the same opinion about the tipping policy in the US as I do. Often it is nothing to do with being mean or not having the money, it's just people feel it is a very ignorant way to act. I am sincerely not trying to be unkind to you personally as you certainly stated your question very nicely but unfortunately what I am saying is fact. Best wishes.

Answer 4

Hi, Good question. I visit the States irregularly, but have been a few times to Florida.

The whole tipping thing is a bit of a mystery to us I think, as has been stated, yes often its included over here, no we dont tip as standard, yes 10% is average as a tip here, but that doesnt change the fact that you are on what to us would be an APPAULING wage even though you are providing a good service, and you are being taxed to death in compensation! Your government needs a kick up the pants.

Personally I always make an attempt to leave a reasonable tip when Im on vacation, I'll aim for 15-20% but not being used to tipping, and with sales taxes etc to be added (we dont have that here either. the price we see is the price we pay) it can make it a bit difficult especially with some alcohol inside us to get the right figure. I have noticed that serving staff seem reluctant to put a figure on what would be a good tip as well. I assume this is just good manners in not 'asking' for a tip, but it does make it difficult for us to ensure we tip well. I would always appreciate advice on this subject!

As an example I am still flummoxed as to what to give a courtesy car driver for example (20% of nothing?) and I learned the hard way that you tip the housekeeping staff daily (I was staying for a fortnight on my first visit, and was leaving the tip till the end of my stay , $60 for the 3 of us, I thought would be reasonable, but the standard to which the room was prepared dropped steadily through the first week, till I quietly asked someone what was happening and very embarressdly left a bumper tip for the rest of the holiday)

I have to say the service I have received in the US always has been exemplary and when compared to that at home, makes me think they should introduce the same system across here too, You could all teach us a lesson in service- we could only improve!

But I digress. It is probably just an education thing. I found your question interesting as it helped answer a few questions I had regarding the necessity of tipping. There is really no information for us when we fly out as to what we should tip, except that it is expected.

I hope that if ever I am in your resteraunt and you serve me that I can manage a reasonable tip. With the currency rates we have at the moment strongly favouring the £ there is really no excuse for stingy tipping, so my apollogies on behalf of my countrymen and I hope it improves.

Answer 5

Ok - so the prices on the menu are for the food. You expect people to pay you 20% more [say] just to carry the food 20 yards? Can I save the extra and pick the food up from the kitchen myself?
Why not just put up the prices by the 20% and have the owner add it to your wages?
Its hardly a voluntary charge if it's expected is it?
How about deducting 20% for poor service - works both ways surely!

Answer 6

We don't really tip at all, because waiters etc are better paid over here. Also most restaurants add a 10 - 15% service charge at the bottom of the bill, so we are just used to not leaving tips.

Answer 7

Maybe people in the UK know that serving staff get a better rate of pay than their USA equivalents? Also, we are used to service charges being added to the bill - whether we get good service or not; although we do have the legal right to refuse to pay the service charge. However, whenever I'm in the US I do try to tip accordingly and eating out there is so much cheaper than in the UK that I'm always surprised by the low bill when it arrives.

Answer 8

If I went out for a meal with my family, I am being served by people who are being paid to do a job. That job is to bring me the meal and or drinks that I have paid for. A tip is not a compulsary thing, it should be something given when a customer feels they have received good, if not great service.

and the 20% thing; not a chance. If a meal were to cost me £100 for my whole family there is not a cat in hells chance I would give you an extra £20 for doing your job. I have yet to have a customer come into my office and give me a £1500 tip for doing a great job on his £7500 website.

The attitude of some waiters and bar staff when they are not tipped is often quite vindicating when you are the non tipper and they give a loud indignant sigh.

Answer 9

Hi there. Im from Scotland. We tip if the service is good. I know in the states you tip no matter what but we dont do that here. If the service is not good we do not expect to leave a tip. A lot of restaurants etc put a service charge on automatically here so that is their tip. I do not hate Americans.

Answer 10

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