Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Tipping in London

Search

Tipping in London

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 11:02 AM
  #1  
Lpk
Original Poster
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Tipping in London

thank you all for the great ideas. Taking my 18 niece this weekend to London

Can you give me suggestions for tipping

justairports car service are tips included If not how much ?

restaurants in general?

thanks again
Lpk is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 11:33 AM
  #2  
Community Builder
Conversation Starter
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,015
Likes: 50
>>Can you give me suggestions for tipping

justairports car service are tips included If not how much ?

restaurants in general?<<

OH my - - you are going to regret posting this

As for justairports - just a small tip. Max 5 if you have a boat load of luggage has has to schlepp. If the fare is say 38 cash -- I give the driver 40. But I travel carry on only.

In restaurants check the menu/bill closely -- more and more are tacking on a 12-ish% service charge. If so just round up a little (or leave nothing extra). If no service charge is included I'll round up to a max of 10%. Sometimes just a tad more in very posh places.

Abandon your tip everybody 20% American habits when you step off the plane.
janisj is online now  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 11:53 AM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
How much do you tip the pilots?
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 12:00 PM
  #4  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 17
Nothing.
cdnyul is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 12:48 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,201
Likes: 12
This person is new-ish to the forum and seeking your advice. I'm sure they would appreciate serious replies (like janisj) not just horsing around (like PalenQ).
suze is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 01:16 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Janis has explained it well. No need to post more comments as to how and why someone tips more or more often but I’m pretty certain someone will.
historytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 06:22 PM
  #7  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 0
In fairness to Pal, the "tipping the pilot" thread is a running joke here (an oldie but goodie) and not intended to be snarky, I don't think. Usually when these tipping threads appear, it's time to get the popcorn out.

Re. the original question: what JanisJ said up thread. That's all you need. Be aware that many times when using your credit card in London you need to confirm that you wish to pay in local currency on the card machine.
Trophywife007 is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 06:38 PM
  #8  
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Since the OP is new to this forum, he/she would not be familiar with the “ tipping the pilot “ thread making Pal’s post appear snarky. All cleared up now. Thankfully.
historytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 19th, 2019 | 11:41 PM
  #9  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,374
Likes: 0
What Janisj says. The majority of restaurants now add service charge to the bill, usually 12,5%. If you pay by cc there is often not even an option to add anything extra.
We never add a tip if the 12,5% is included.
If the restaurant does not include service, this will be very clearly marked on the bill.

Taxi's; round up to the nearest round amount, or a few pounds, depending on the service.
Tulips is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 02:08 AM
  #10  
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Conversation Starter
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44,600
Likes: 3
Tip as you feel the level of service WARRANTS and not what somebody tells you is THE amount. That attitude should not be left behind or on a plane.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 02:08 AM
  #11  
Lpk
Original Poster
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Thanks that sums it up nicely
i didn’t know this was A THING
very funny
Lpk is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 08:19 AM
  #12  
Community Builder
Conversation Starter
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,015
Likes: 50
>>Tip as you feel the level of service WARRANTS and not what somebody tells you is THE amount. That attitude should not be left behind or on a plane.<<

I know you like to tip in Europe. But I meant one should not bring their habits from home when traveling to other places. When in Rome and all that. Over tip if you wish and it makes you feel good. Absolutely your choice. But IMO not good advice for those asking for useful guidance . . .
janisj is online now  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 08:32 AM
  #13  
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
I agree with Janis. If there were to be the 12.5 per cent service charge on restaurant tab, you could leave some extra cash to round up to 15 or 20 per cent.

I am generous to barmen in pubs.

Thin🐩
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 08:36 AM
  #14  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,555
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by kerouac
Google is usually pretty good about guessing such spellings.
Not even Google will come up with Oxford from Oggsford... speech to text might work, though.
Trophywife007 is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 09:36 AM
  #15  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,269
Likes: 0
We don't usually tip bar staff in pubs (though I've noticed some machines for contactless card purchase seem to include a stage of asking you if you want to include a gratuity, I've also known barmen to cancel that before presenting the machine). On the other hand, if it's quiet, you'll probably find "And one for yourself?" isn't refused.
PatrickLondon is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 10:52 AM
  #16  
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 0
Why ask the question?

Nobody cares.

Canadians wear maple leafs on their bags, Yanks tip everything in sight. Just a way to define your national identity.

If it makes you feel better leave 100, tipping isnt necessary in the U.K. but it will make you feel better.

Tipping threads are tedious beyond any comprehension.

Last edited by BritishCaicos; Apr 20th, 2019 at 10:54 AM.
BritishCaicos is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019 | 01:56 PM
  #17  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Coronation Street is in many ways true to real life and in many more ways a gross exaggeration - but it's in the daily things that I think it must portray average Brits - like tipping - many folks in the Rovers pub will say keep the change. But many will not. But listen to the Brits above and take their take on tipping to heart - leave your American ideas at home.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019 | 02:57 AM
  #18  
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
This is a reasonably accurate guide to tipping in the UK but it's only a guide:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel...Etiquette.html

You don't have to tip, you won't get chased down the road like some places in the US. You may find some hostility to this question as those of us that live here don't want tipping to escalate (and be expected) to the "crazy" amounts that are common in the US.
Hooameye is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019 | 05:27 AM
  #19  
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Pepper_von_snoot

I am generous to barmen in pubs.

Thin🐩
Yes, and I also believe in remembering the invisible chambermaid who cleans your room daily.
29FEB is offline  
Old Apr 24th, 2019 | 04:09 AM
  #20  
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Quite often the 12% added to the bill is optional meaning you don't have to pay it. I've asked for it to be removed on several occasions. Once because there was a large group of us, we had paid a substantial amount for a 'chef's table experience' yet the service was poor so I requested it to be removed and paid a more appropriate figure. Another time I've asked for it to be removed because the service was appalling and left no tip whatsoever (after all, a tip is for recognition of good service) and another time I requested it to be removed and gave the waitress a cash tip direct because the restaurant was one that was notorious for witholding a percentage of tips intended for staff.
jc_uk is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -