Do you tip?

Ladyhawk

In this instance definitely not. I normally give a quid or 2 for taxis.

I never tip anyone else except waiters and waitresses.

heretolearn_2

If you have to go by car because of health issues (rather than living in the sticks, say) - have you checked if the hospital has a car service for appointments?

My parents are always picked up for their hospital appointments as they can't get there otherwise- sometimes the driver does a bit of a round and collects other people as well so they aren't getting anything special- and it doesn't cost them anything.

emsywoo123

I was in London town last week, and the taxi driver explained he could take me to the door of the destination but as there was a one way bit and diversion it would add a tenner+ onto my journey. If he dropped me where he suggested and I walk about 30 yards up that road I would get to the same place for half the price!

So yes, I tipped him.

As with others, I would change taxi company.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I'd give him a tip. I'd tell him a good tip is not to ask for tips in advance, particularly when the actual fare is massive, and cancel and rebook with another firm.

gingin_2

I'd find a different cab firm and tell them why you are cancelling also. It's a cheek.

I tip cabbies up to the nearest £, perhaps the nearest note if it is not very much but it's a pretty decent living and not the most taxing of jobs so I don't really feel the need to show them my appreciation of their service. I do happily tip restaurant staff and removals men so am not a tight tipper!

marisco_2

I would cancel and rebook with a more reputable taxi firm. That driver sounds like a chancer to me and not very pleasant. The only tip he would get off of me is to apply for a refund from the charm school he attended.

Tips are a gratuity given at will when you have been left really pleased. Not blatantly expected or asked for in advance.

kashkarena

i like what funky bold ribena has said, a good tip is to tell him not to ask for tips in advance!

Yeah, by saying that he put you in a spot and makes you feel obligated which no one should ever do. I hate doing things that i don't feel like doing but bcos someone said so, and that makes me feel bad if i don't do it.

I would get another driver.

bagpussbear

I always tip an extra £1, and for the that length of journey I think it would be appropriate to tip a fiver, however being asked for £20 is downright cheeky, they shouldn't ask at all.

browneyedbazzi

I'm with the others - I would either rebook with another company or call and specifically ask that they don't send that driver and tell them why. If it's a decent firm and they hear that one of their drivers is putting customers off then they'll make it clear to him that he needs to pack it in.

If the guy drives a hackney carriage (they use meters and in most places they are london style cabs as opposed to private hire vehicles which are usually saloon cars) then it's actually illegal for him to ask you for a tip or any payment over what is shown on the meter.

I do tip taxi drivers and others in the service industry (often quite generously) when they've given a good service, but anyone who expresses an entitlement to a tip or who doesn't give a service to the standard I expect get nothing.

gazzak_2

I only tip if the service is outstanding, and that's taxi's, waiters or whatever, (if the service charge is part of the bill and the service is standard I will ask them to remove it). If it's not outstanding I simply won't pay a penny extra.

In this case, (or in any case when someone mentions a tip beforehand), I will never tip and let them know why. You need to rebook this asap with a different driver, no question.