As a bit of back story I’m from UK, I’m aware tipping culture is a bit different in the USA and maybe elsewhere. I firmly believe tipping should be for above and beyond service.

In the UK it is generally expected that you tip 10% on sit down meals. Now I disagree with this expectation for a few reasons.

First of all I do not feel like many restaurant food prices are particularly reasonable to begin with, the margins made on drink are obscene and by management over charging in that sense I feel much less inclined to tip servers regardless.

Secondly my main enjoyment taken from a meal is generally the food. I’d say 8/10 times I eat out and want to tip it’s because I really enjoyed what I ate. Normally tips go to servers and not the chefs.

Thirdly, Friday or Saturday nights it’s normal for you to wait a while and not get much attention from servers or whomever, whatever fine that’s not an issue I get it’s busy. But to expect a tip on top of that? I get you may be busy but if our table personally hasn’t received any attention other than ordering and delivering of food, I don’t feel there’s any reason for me to tip.

Call it heartless but I don’t feel like it’s my responsibility to bump up someone else’s wages for just doing their job. If they go above and beyond, take time to talk and make us laugh and go that extra mile if the opportunity presents itself then I will tip every time.

Finally I also don’t understand why this cultural expectation seems to be restricted to restaurant services. I’ll often tip my hairdresser when they make effort with conversation. If anyone gives me good in store advice or saves me money I’ll pay the difference as a tip. It all seems so very arbitrary. CMV!