Tipping
Danny_Girl
Posts: 2,763 Forum Member
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I had always thought 10% was the norm for waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers etc
Realised why the beauticians at the Spa I go to are always pleased to see me. I always give 10% of the charge in cash to them as a tip as they are lovely and do a great job. Turns out hardly anyone ever tips them (know them well so I'm not being spun a line) and on average they make £10 a week on tips. This is a Spa in a 4* hotel so I was frankly shocked.
Have I missed something here ..... do people not tip much these days?
Realised why the beauticians at the Spa I go to are always pleased to see me. I always give 10% of the charge in cash to them as a tip as they are lovely and do a great job. Turns out hardly anyone ever tips them (know them well so I'm not being spun a line) and on average they make £10 a week on tips. This is a Spa in a 4* hotel so I was frankly shocked.
Have I missed something here ..... do people not tip much these days?
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Comments
I do the same but judging by the reactions from the staff most people tip less. Like you I am happy to tip for an excellent service.
Perhaps the economic crisis has reduced people´s willingness to, or ability to, tip generously?
One of my wealthy customers tips me £10 every time (that really is a lot comparatively
As a broadly general rule though, I'd say it's the lower-middle-class that tip the most. The ones that have the most money are usually the tightest.
One wealthy individual once tipped me 50p, made up of 10p's, 5ps and even a bit of shrapnel. Almost told him not to bother.
It's of course a nice extra though, and never expected, and nor should it be. This isn't the United States of America, where everything excludes taxes and 'obligatory tips'.
I never tip anybody anything, unless they have gone over and above what is expected in their job, in serving me.
A useful addition to the conversation.
and when i say tip i mean i let them keep change , which usually isnt much tbh
(equal to over 2 years average mans wages) that went to my solicitor who then
suggested - 'I think presents are called for !
Why tip for exceptional service when you've already paid for it
The only reason I tip is to make myself look like a big shot. I make a gun shot with my fingers, I given em a wink, I click my tongue and say "keep the change, buddy":cool:
I hope you said "Here's your tip. Dark Star, 3:30, Kempton Park" then walked out.
Most people I know always tip for good service in a restaurant. Maybe your attitude was the reason for your lack of tips.
Tipping tells you a hell of a lot about a person's character.
No, it really doesn't.
I wasn't eligible for tips, as I was the maître d', however my colleagues would often fume because the Brits were notoriously cheap. I doubt I would be the face greeting everyone if I had a bad attitude either.
I always tip my hairdressers because they are really lovely and friendly in there I tend to round it up to the next £5 and tell them to keep it; my last haitcut was £36 so I gave them £40 and told them to keep the change. I don't tip delivery people as all they do is hand you your bag/box and go away.
It isn't like America' everyone gets a minimum wage so I don't feel bad for not tipping.
OK
It's likely then that you have different expectations with regards to tipping (in the same way as you see in America). In some countries it is expected as the norm, whilst in the UK many people see it as a reward for service that is above what they expected.
On a side note, did your staff pool and share tips equally or keep their own? I've had this conversation before and a lot seem to share, so that staff who don't normally have the opportunity to receive a tip get a share. They say that they contribute to the good reputation of the business.
I just think it is nice to tip. People fetching and carrying for me deserve a little something extra. I do think if people are rewarded they will be more likely to go above and beyond what is required of them. A nice meal can sometimes be spoiled if you have a bad waiter, and equally if it's an average meal but the service is great, it kind of evens out.
My staff weren't obliged to share, but often did because everyone pulled their own weight. As I was on a bit more pay, I didn't get a share of the tips but I was also management. I am glad to be out of that industry now, it is a lot of hard work for the pay you receive.
As another poster said, if we go out as a group and all chuck in a round figure for our meal we just hand it to the waiter with the bill and leave. We wouldn't dream of waiting for change. I don't use taxis.
At Christmas time, the bin men and window cleaner.
Why so irate? It's just the way I feel.