We’re all used to the tip jar in bars, the extra change left with a bill and the sly extra fiver slipped subtly into the hand a hotel porter. It’s all part of the service economy and helps many workers across the world make a living.
That said, each country – even city – differs in the way it presents the tip.
Whilst the tip is universally acknowledged as etiquette and sometimes a necessity for the porter, waiter or bartender, the way the transaction occurs varies widely. In the USA, personal tips are customary and vary in amount, whilst in France 2 to 3 euros is the norm. The UK, and especially London, has a different system and it can be a little tricky to get your head around.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Tipping in London
Tipping in the UK is always welcomed. After all, who wouldn’t want an extra few quid in their pocket? However, it is not always expected and is entirely dependent on how good the quality of your service is. This means there is a level of flexibility. Of course, if you’re staying a luxury hotel like Park Grand London Paddington, you’re almost guaranteed to have quality service at every turn. More on tipping at hotels below…
Bear in mind that most – or at least fair – salaries and hourly rates should be enough for the service provider to get by on, especially in London where the living wage is raised from £8 an hour to £10.55. This accommodates for the heightened cost of living, and whilst it may not be a lot, it still means that any service charge is thought of as extra pennies in the pocket, rather than necessary for surviving.
Tipping at hotels
At luxury hotels such as those on the Premier Club Rewards scheme, traditional tipping is usually reserved for porters and concierges.
These are entirely dependent on the quality of the service you’ve had or indeed on what you can spare. In hotel restaurants, tipping is usually added to the service charge, around 10 to 15 per cent of your overall bill. You can also leave an amount of your choosing for cleaning staff at the end of your stay.
Tipping at bars
Tipping in bars is not usually customary. There is often a tip jar or a tray left at the counter for customers to leave their spare change, but it is not mandatory. Often, these tips are shared out among the staff at the end of the day, mostly amounting to a few extra pounds, but nothing substantial, like when tipping bar staff in the US. Don’t feel obliged to tip bar staff at the pub you’re visiting, but remember that every little bit helps, and extra money will always be welcomed!
Tipping at restaurants
Usually, restaurants have an optional service charge, or gratuity, which can be added to your bill on payment. This is usually somewhere between 10 and 15 per cent of your overall bill but can be more if you so wish. However, it’s a good idea to check with the waiter that the tip you’re providing will be going into their pocket rather than to the company they work for.
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