Upcoming trip to the UK
- Thread starter Madman
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whatlep
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Madman said:
For England (& Scotland, Wales & N.Ireland) as others have said a 10% tip in restaurants is usual unless the service or meal is not up to standard, though check service hasn't already been added. Some restaurants - usually the higher end places - automatically add "x"% where "x" is invariably more than 10%. They must indicate that they will do so on the menu. Taxi drivers will expect a tip as will porters, but everyone else can go take a running jump until they regularly tip me for my services!
In France, the same goes for taxi drivers and porters and 10% is acceptable (or a Euro per bag for the porter if that works better for you). All cafes and restaurants normally add in a service charge of 15%, so there is no need to leave any kind of tip unless the service or meal are exceptional. The words "service compris" will likely appear on the menu and/or your bill, indicating that a tip has been included.
Just do not bother to tip at all in UK. I do not as I believe it is a way that allows Companies to pay poor wages. Staff will never get a decent wage so long as we accept the principle of Tipping. Plus it is ordinary people trying to be something they are not. Tipping is for posey rich people to do in my view. Don't be worried about it, you would be doing it just as you are about to leave so the embarrassment factor if indeed you have any only lasts for a few seconds.Madman said:
JonD
tight fisted Yorkshireman!
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Jon, I don't think you are going to change the way an entire industry works in such a manner. I'm sure your intentions are entirely laudable but until a government comes along with a mandate to legislate such changes it ain't going to happen. Used to have an evening job as a waiter about 35 years ago and did quite well out of the shared tips along with the £5 per 6 pm-1 am shift pay.
Now if you had come to London before 2010, were in Golders Green (and previously Whitechapel too) and had a hankering for Kosher food you could have visited Blooms. This restaurant "chain" were unusual in that diner's/customer's contract was between them and the waiter and not the restaurant when you were served. That's right, the waiter in the restaurant bought your meal from the restaurant kitchen and the money they made was on the mark up built into the menu and any tip you left. Your waiter was a one person self employed tied take out business. A unique arrangement in my experience. Mazzal tov. Max
Now if you had come to London before 2010, were in Golders Green (and previously Whitechapel too) and had a hankering for Kosher food you could have visited Blooms. This restaurant "chain" were unusual in that diner's/customer's contract was between them and the waiter and not the restaurant when you were served. That's right, the waiter in the restaurant bought your meal from the restaurant kitchen and the money they made was on the mark up built into the menu and any tip you left. Your waiter was a one person self employed tied take out business. A unique arrangement in my experience. Mazzal tov. Max
Madman
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maxi-model said:
If I understand you correctly, the waiter was basically self employed. Employers here would love an arrangement like that. It takes all of the burden off of them. Problem is, it creates a sort of "Piece work" mentality. This is why UNIONS and a labor movement are oh so important. I cringe when I hear people talking down the labor unions. They have not learned one ioda, their history lessons. And to add insult to injury, CEOs in this country earn 350 times what the average wage earner makes, compared to 40 years ago when that ration was 35:1. I'm boiling right now so I'd better stop writing.
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Wow, what have I started ? I only mentioned it as an anecdote. It was certainly a curio' employment wise in the restaurant trade here. And as I noted, the waiters were very much self employed. And yes indeed, it created an odd "piece work" mentality. The waiters at Blooms were noted for their ability to create a high level of customer turnover so as to increase a day's possible takings.Madman said:
Max, a current willing Trade Union member, for 22 years of a 43 year working life to date
Madman
Registered
I apologize if I sounded harsh, this morning. At my age, I have been around long enough to see the mistreatment of the working class. The night before, my wife and I were watching a documentary on Public Television about how we get screwed out of two thirds of the money we invest in IRAs, 401Ks and annuities. The fees taken by the administrators of our retirement portfolios ad up to the two thirds I mentioned when figured on an amortization calculator. So I was thinking about that program when I was venting this morning.
In my next life I hope to be born without a conscience :-X
In my next life I hope to be born without a conscience :-X
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Couldn't emphathise more with you on that one. Was watching our "heavy" news program on the BBC last night, "Newsnight". Main topic was about how there had been a serious increase in "self employment" levels in the UK recently. Was this down to a new found entrepeneurial zeal found by the UK workforce or those darstardly employers circumventing employment law to deny their workers holiday and sick pay pay rights, fixed hour contracts and deny the government tax and national insurance revenues ? Now what do you think might be the answer ? Yes, we need to keep an eye on these things. Political soapbox now put away. Max.
Gavin Sowry
Garden Railroader and Raconteur
Must be getting close to the big trip .