Here's the lowdown on British tipping etiquette, including an unfair tipping loophole which allows some restaurants to short-change their staff...
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about tipping tips while on holiday, and how to avoid some potentially embarrassing situations while abroad.
But as many Fools pointed out, what about tipping in Britain?
Unlike America, where tipping is the norm, when it comes to gratuities in the UK, there are no hard and fast rules, and rewards are left to our own discretion.
Many of us don't know what an appropriate amount to add to a bill is - if anything, so can end up feeling guilty or embarrassed about how much you should tip, and when you should tip.
So in an effort to make things a little clearer, here's a quick guide to who you should tip, when, and most importantly, how much. I'm also going to look at a unfair tipping loophole which some restaurants use.
Restaurants
The most common place Brits are likely to leave a tip can also be one of the most confusing.
Many places will not add any extras onto your bill. However, sometimes a `discretionary' or `optional' service charge of 10 - 12.5% is added, especially when dining in a larger group. This will be clearly stated at the bottom of your bill.
If this is the case, don't feel obliged to add anything on top. If no service charge has been added, and you were happy with the service you received, then 10% for good service and 15% for excellent (and I mean excellent) service is sufficient.
However, some interesting research conducted by The Mirror and trade union Unite has revealed that some of Britain's best known restaurants and cafes, including Café Rouge, Carluccio's and Garfunkel's are dipping into staff tips to help pay wages.
Firms can do this because of a loophole in the law which allows employers to pay staff less than the minimum wage, then make up the rest in tips.
For example, restaurant chain Tootsies adds a 12.5% service charge to all bills, but less than half goes to wait staff. The rest is shared among employees, including supervisors and managers.
Elsewhere, the Tragus Group, which owns Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada admits that credit card tips partly contribute to the minimum wage, with staff keeping all cash tips.
Unite have teamed up with The Mirror to try to stop restaurants from doing this, urging them to sign a `Fair Tips Charter' which will ensure that all tips go to staff on the front line. Firms which have already signed up include Pizza Hut and TGI Friday's. Let's hope others follow suit...
So, what can you do to ensure that your tip rewards the right person?
Firstly, if you are going to leave any tips, leave them in cash. If paying by card, you may even want to consider taking any service charges off, and leave them in cash afterwards. That way you can help to ensure that 100% of all your tips go to the people who deserve it.
Of course, you are by no means obliged to pay any of the service charges listed on your bill, and can take them off if you are not satisfied with the service received.
Cafés, Pubs and Clubs
Pub and bar staff don't expect a tip, and it is not usual to leave one when purchasing drinks at the bar.
However, some guidebooks I came across during my research tell you that instead of offering a tip, and I quote, `it is acceptable to offer the bartender a drink', which they can accept as cash (as they won't be able to drink on their shift!).
My question is, has anyone ever done this?
In your local pub, where you know the bartender, I think it's perfectly acceptable. But as a friend who used to work in a bar told me, a stranger offering to buy them a drink was more likely a sign of someone hitting on them than a show of appreciation.
So, if you do order a large number of drinks, or want to reward impressive service, show your appreciation with a tip, as I'm sure any extra monies won't go amiss!
Hairdressers
If you're satisfied with your haircut, tip around 10%, plus a pound for the person washing your hair. Tips in this situation can be awkward, as the junior who washes your hair often disappears long before it's time to pay.
Palming people money is best avoided. Instead ask for their share of the tip to be passed onto them when paying at the till point.
Taxis
There is often a blue moon out when I decide to take a taxi, as they are one of life's little luxuries I can ill afford. But on the rare occasion that I do take a cab ride, I always leave a tip.
Rounding up to the nearest pound for a short journey or 10% on top of the bill is generally the norm. The same rules apply to mini cabs, and even though you agree a price before setting off, a tip for prompt service and help with your bags will always be appreciated.
Hotels
Tips in hotels are not expected as widely as they are in America, but in high end establishments, porters welcome tips of around £1 per bag.
Obviously, this advice is not set in stone, and if you're not happy with any service you receive, don't feel obliged to leave a tip.
As ever, tipping tips from experienced Fools are more than welcome, especially when it comes to other services such as beauty treatments, as I discovered various tipping practices for this during my research.
And finally, if you think we get a raw deal in this country, let me draw your attention to some of the tipping standards in America, as highlighted by this gem from first-time poster MuppetKeeper:
'You've got to love America. During a three course meal in a restaurant, I had to ask for my drink five times, the plates from the previous courses were left on the table as the next course arrived, so by the time dessert came, we had to stack the plates on the floor next to us. The only time the waitress spoke to us was to scream and swear at us as I reduced the tip from 18% to 10%. She then threatened to get her boyfriend to shoot us.'
God bless America eh?
Happy tipping!
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