It can be hard to know what’s expected of you when it comes to tipping in the UK. When is it appropriate to tip? Who exactly do you tip? How much do you tip?
As COVID-19 transits to endemic and as rules relax around the world, tourists are returning to UK cities and citizens are returning to their local pubs and restaurants. It’s more important than ever to know the expectations of tipping. We should also understand the positive impact that tipping can have on the hospitality industry and its employees, especially amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The good news is that the discussion surrounding the importance of tipping is ramping up, with the government backing a new law ensuring that there is greater tipping transparency between employers and employees. Tips and service charges cannot be withheld from service staff and a new statutory Code of Practice will be developed to encourage a fair distribution policy.
So, here’s a guide to tipping for some of the hospitality and service situations you may find yourself in.
Tipping in restaurants and bars
Tipping is customary after a meal in a restaurant in the UK. Some restaurants include a tip on the bill, whereas others do not. If there is an optional service charge at the end of the bill which you can choose to use that as your tip or leave an additional gratuity if you feel you received exceptional service.
As the UK shifts towards a cashless society, cashless tipping is becoming more prominent. One example is the use of a QR code to direct customers to a web page to allow you to leave a tip in just a few seconds and ensure that the tip goes directly into the service staff’s pockets. Cashless tipping platforms also allow customers to leave a rating alongside their tip and this helps venues improve their service.
As a general rule of thumb, a tip is typically between 10-20% of your total bill, but the size of your tip depends on how happy you are with the service. However, the way you tip depends on the level of table services offered. You’re more likely to leave a bigger tip in a restaurant than you would in a café or even in a pub.
Tipping at the salon
It’s quite common in the UK to tip for a service such as hairdressing or various other beauty treatments. As the saying goes, ‘you should always tip your barber’!
So, when you’re looking for that perfect wedding updo, or to embody your favourite celebrity’s hairstyle and your hairdresser delivers exactly what you ask for, consider tipping them well for a job well done after your treatment and for any additional services like food, beverages, or maybe even in-salon entertainment.
After your appointment, look around for signs on the preferred method of tipping. For example, many UK salons now have QR codes leading to individual tipping pages for each stylist. If you are in any doubt about the amount of money you should give, a tip of approximately 10% or more for any brilliant beauty service you receive will always be appreciated by any staff.
Hotels
Tipping at a hotel can be quite confusing. Do you leave a tip in this situation? If so, who do you tip?
For cleaning staff, you’re free to leave an amount of your choosing on departure, or alternatively, some people choose to leave a small gift in the room as a ‘thank you’ once they’ve checked out.
Tips in the UK for other hotel staff such as concierges and door staff are discretionary and are most commonplace for those who help you take your luggage to your room. Furthermore, if you decide to order room service you can leave a small tip at your own discretion. This tip can be between £3-£5.
Events and curated experiences
When it comes to events and experiences, it’s important to know where you stand with tipping.
If you’re hosting an event, or even attending one, it’s important to recognise those who are helping the event to run smoothly. This includes event organisers, live entertainers, waiters, bar staff, and cleaning staff. If you see that these workers are doing an excellent job, it can go a long way to reward them with a tip for their hard work in a busy environment.
If you’re on a bus or walking tour, you may find a little tip jar where you can drop some coins in or cashless tipping options like QR codes.
The same goes for boat trips – if you’re receiving fantastic onboard service from the crew for entertainment or great food and drink service, it is encouraged to leave a tip at the end of the trip. The amount of the tip is usually between 10-15% but is entirely up to you depending on how pleased you are with the service you have received.
Taxis
If you’re getting into a black cab, it can be hard to determine whether you should tip the driver. If the bill is pre-calculated, most Brits wouldn’t hand a tip to the driver in this case. If the taxi cost is not pre-calculated and you’re paying cash, it is customary to round up the total fare to the nearest pound or simply say “keep the change.”
Since not many people carry cash around with them these days, taxi drivers now have card machines installed into their cabs which you can use to pay for your fare as well as tip. If you’re taking an Uber, you can easily use the app to tip your driver.
If your taxi driver gets you to your destination in time, helps you with your luggage or has delivered excellent service such as recommendations of great places to visit, a 10-15% tip is a nice gesture.
So, to tip or not to tip?
Ultimately, it comes down to whether you’re happy with the service you received and if you want to reward deserving staff.
With the hospitality sector crippled by the recent pandemic, and most service workers in the UK only earning a minimum wage, know that tips are a lifeline to an industry desperately trying to attract staff and for staff to give their income a much-needed boost.
Featured Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash
