Why do British people complain about tipping at restaurants?

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johnr1

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So we ALWAYS tip 15-20% in restaurants in America. It not really optional. But I was in London and the difference between sit in and "take away" is ridiculous because of the added service charges. So essentially you DO tip, you just have zero control over it, unlike in America where service is not directly factored into the cost of the meal.

So why do British people whine about tipping in America when 1) food here is generally cheaper than anywhere I've seen in the UK and 2) at least you have the option of tipping a smaller or larger amount depending on the quality of service whereas you have no control whatsoever over the service charges tacked onto the price of your meal in the UK.
 
Why tip at all? If the bosses paid a living wage to their staff tipping would not be expected. I worked as a pharmacist for years and never expected or received a tip for my services - why should other people?
 
Part of the difference between eat-in and takeaway prices is VAT. Most restaurants do state on the menu if they automatically add a service charge, although many do not.

As for tipping, I do not consider it my place to supplement the salaries of other people so that their bosses can hang on to more profits! People are paid to do the job they do, so why should I use my hard-earned money to add to that because they're not being paid enough?? Your culture encourages companies to under-pay their employees, safe in the knowledge that Americans are daft enough to not only pay for the goods and services, but then top-up the staffs' pay for them! Ridiculous!

That said, I will tip for good service, but no more than 10% My money is mine. I didn't earn to supplement others' pay!
 
I'm british and if i receive good service i tip accordingly. You're just generalising, like so many people do. If you aren't getting tips it's because you're not good enough. And i agree that you are being paid already, why should i pay you more? I'm a student nurse and i doubt if i were to end up giving you CPR you'd give me a tip?
 
i'm british and i tip everytime i go out for a meal, the better the service the better the tip, if a waiter/waitress is rude and arrogant they get nothing its as simple as that, i don't see why i should have to pay a mandatory 15-20% on top of my food as thats just another tax, i will pay what i see fit.
 
Why do you keep asking this question?

You're obviously a VERY poor waiter with an attitude if you don't get tips, change your outlook, give the service we Europeans are used to and you may get somewhere.
 
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