Tipping in Restaurants

LudaMusser

I just wondered what the general feeling was on leaving a tip for the waiter/waitress in a restaurant? Do you always tip, do you never tip, do you only tip depending on your experience?

The reason I ask is because I feel awkward and as though we`re expected to leave a tip. Like it`s an unwritten rule.
I went to Prezzo on saturday night, the food was quite good but the service was average at best. I also hate it when you have different people serving you throughout. We did`nt leave a tip and then I felt awkward leaving as they always hover around the table incase you leave and money.

We went to a small restaurant in St Ives in Cornwall in the summer, the waitress was lovely and I tipped her a couple of pounds. The food was`nt anything special but she was just really nice and genuine which I like.

So, do you feel awkward not leaving a tip?

gingin_2

We always do if there is table service, unless the service is awful and then OH tells them that he won't be leaving a tip and why ( only happened on a couple of occasions). We tip more for a good meal and service.

We also try and tip in cash if we are paying by card as then it has more chance of actually going to the restaurant staff rather than the owner.

fannyanna

I'm a bit of a scrouge and don't like leaving a tip but I do feel awkward when it's obvious that you're not leaving one.

Having said that I will tip if I am pleased with the service!

Waffle_On

I only leave a tip when I get exceptional service - and I don't feel awkward about it. You wouldn't tip someone earning minimum wage in any other industry, so why are waiting staff different?

Errata

I always tip out of gratitude that I don't have to work in a caff serving grub to ingrates.

Nicki

fannyanna wrote: »

I'm a bit of a scrouge and don't like leaving a tip but I do feel awkward when it's obvious that you're not leaving one.

Having said that I will tip if I am pleased with the service!

I'm the opposite. I will always tip unless there is a very good reason not to, and can't recall many occasions where that has been the case. Anywhere between 10 and 20% of total bill depending on how good the meal has been. These days I think waitressing wages are so low that the tip is part of their wage really, and I'd feel bad about not doing it if they hadn't done anything wrong. I don't tip extra though if a service charge has already been added on to the bill.

VfM4meplse

I don't like tipping at all. I don't expect a tip for doing my job and going the extra mile, it's the expectation rather that the giving that bothers me.

LudaMusser

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I don't like tipping at all. I don't expect a tip for doing my job and going the extra mile, it's the expectation rather that the giving that bothers me.

Yes, this is my point exactly. It`s like a tip is expected.

an9i77

I will tip 10% if service is good. If it's mediocre I will prob still leave a tip but begrudgingly and perhaps not as much. If the service is poor I won't leave a tip. Service would have to be pretty bad to leave no tip, but I kind of think you should leave a tip unless there's a reason not to.

Miss_Havisham

Nicki wrote: »

I'm the opposite. I will always tip unless there is a very good reason not to, and can't recall many occasions where that has been the case. Anywhere between 10 and 20% of total bill depending on how good the meal has been. These days I think waitressing wages are so low that the tip is part of their wage really, and I'd feel bad about not doing it if they hadn't done anything wrong. I don't tip extra though if a service charge has already been added on to the bill.

Same for me.

adelight

I always tip a little bit unless the service is absolutely shocking. If I was in somewhere like Prezzo with okay-ish service and different people serving me I'd probably just leave the change from the bill or an extra two quid. If the service is exceptional I'll tip at least 10% or £5, whichever's bigger.