How much tips to you leave in a restaurant?

Question

I start to live in the UK and never really knows how to tip.
Some leaves 10% in general, and nothing in fast food.
Other always tips one or two pounds whatever the price.
If you pay by card, do you pay more with your card or do you leave some coins on the table?
thank you!

Answer 1

It's usually better to tip the correct percentage in cash/coins as the restaurant and the waiters have to have a certain percentage taken out for basically paying the credit card use fee. Also in some restaurants tips left on cards are distributed among the staff at the end of a night instead of given directly to your specific staff. If possible, tip in currency- if not, tip on the card.

This site has some great rules for international tipping. Check it out: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A640018

PS FOR SOME OF YOU GETTING ANGRY and freaking out about people "not tipping" or "tipping badly" and talking about what wait staff in the US make.... can you read the question? Tipping etiquette is not the same in the UK. Grow up.

Answer 2

When I once worked in a bar, my boyfriend at the time worked in the adjoining restaurant. I was lucky to come home with £2 tips each night, whereas he would go home with at least £50!! I thought this was very unfair.

I'll never tip on my credit card, because you cannot guarantee that it will go to the staff that served you rather than the manager's pocket.

I only tip in resaurants where the staff have actually seated me and served me at the table (if it's a serve-yourself buffet I don't tip). I usually tip according to the service received. If it is very good, I'll leave around 10%. If it's anything less than good service, I'll leave nothing. I know that I'm very harsh, but I think it's something to do with the story I tell at the beginning of my answer.

I'm sure that tipping is an imported custom from the USA. I don't remember ever having to tip in a restaurant any time before I was about 16.

Answer 3

Generally about 10 to 12% depending on the cost of the meal...If I spent about £200 on a meal then I would think 10% was adequate, but if only spending £15 would maybe leave a couple of pounds....I usually leave a seperate cash tip when using a credit card...but beware, some restaurants include a service charge which is not highlighted on the bill, so you can tip twice if not careful.....don't tip for fast food, or at the bar when just having a drink........

Answer 4

You don't have to pay tips in a fast food restaurant. But you do have to pay tips for a none fast food restaurant. Usually it's 10% in a non high class restaurant. You dont' have to leave some coins on the table when you paid by credit card. Becasue they already charge you 10% automatically when you go to those restaurant. And you don't have to leave the coins on the table when you pay by card. But if you paid by money then i guess it's good to leave maybe just 1 dollar or 2 dollar there if you feel like. Otherwise you don't have to becasue they already charge you.

Answer 5

it generally goes by the place you are eating. like
fast foods---nil or some loose change in charity box
take aways---nil, its not expected
cafe----30p to £1 max
restaurants depend on quality of food and service generally 10% of bill but if your in a large group this can be a lot of money if only 1 is paying. I go by the total bill, so if t cost between £20 to £50 then £5 tip
between £50 to £100 then £10 tip,
if i pay by card i always leave a cash tip, waiters very rarley see money if its added onto the card.
finally ,in the UK a tip is optional, if its already added to your bill ask them to remove it firmly and leave a cash tip you feel apropiate
if you think you had bad service ...do not leave a tip, hopefully they will be more polite to the next customer.
hope this helps, these are only my views

Answer 6

You have it right ,10% in general nothing in fast restaurants
more when you have been treated extra special, less when you have not been treated in any special way, nothing if the service is poor.as for when you pay by card usually better to tip separate,as for leaving coins on the table only if they are pound coins not less. I hope you enjoy living in the UK,

Answer 7

It all depends on the service you received, but I think in general one Pound is about right, a bit more for really good service. If I pay by card I still leave a tip, as some places the tips go into a pool and are shared by the staff.

Answer 8

Check if service is included. If it is not, add 10-15% depending on how happy you are with the service, rounded up to the nearest pound.
If I have the right change, I leave tips in cash because then you know that the waiting staff will get it.

Answer 9

Your choice, but tipping is not a way of life here in the UK like it is in the rest of Europe, but I generally say 10% in a restaurant for good service, but nothing at all for fast food.

You can add tips on a credit card, but I think the waiting staff prefer cash to divide at the end of the night.

Answer 10

i'm a waitress and their isn't any excuse for her habit if she's having a foul day she ought to bypass away her recommendations-set on the door her customer are pay her charges. She's an fool. With that kinda provider identity nonetheless bypass away 15% yet identity bypass away a word and def seek advice from the administration. i think of 18-20% is a robust provider. Tip at present. Tip sharing has long previous up plenty at present we now ought to tip around 5-7% of what we get tipped. To different team bussers bartenders hosts ect yso 15% in maximum. eating place isn't reducing it now regrettably. playstation men i admire my job merely attempting to be informative.