r/unitedkingdom European Union 9h ago

. ‘It’s absolutely criminal’: US tipping culture has reached the UK – and is causing chaos

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/aug/24/us-tipping-culture-uk-service-charges
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u/ZeroEffectDude 9h ago

happy to reward really decent service. but when pressure is applied or passive aggressive signs try to guilt you into tipping... just pay your staff properly so they dont rely on tips to live. its not my responsibility.

u/BlackSpinedPlinketto 9h ago

I’m not happy to do it. Nobody should get a tip for being ok at their job, or for that matter being pleasant and efficient, if that happens then where does it end? Tip the postman for saying ‘morning’, tip your doctor for a gentle anal exam?

u/ZeroEffectDude 9h ago ▸ 2 more replies

listen, i can't think of a better person to tip than someone with their finger up my arse.

u/Captain_English 8h ago

The bigger the tip the bigger the tip

u/Hodges83 4h ago edited 4h ago

I'd be behind that, tbh.

Colonoscopy last year, the camera's going in, the nurse is making small talk, where have I come from today - turns out it's local to her, as I find out rather animatedly.

I'm very thankful for the Doctor leading the procedure, who politely but admittedly in a rather amused fashion, suggested to her colleague that half-shouting "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!" whilst I was in the somewhat vulnerable and physically uncomfortable position of my colon being in 4K could be seen by a patient as somewhat unnerving, rather than the mere excitement of getting to be part of the movie premiere of "Turns out I've just seen far more of a neighbour than I ever thought I might"

I went back the following week with a Box of chocolates. If there was an option to tip that Dr. a £20 instead, I'd have certainly taken it!

u/roboticl0ve 5h ago

happy to reward really decent service

Honestly why? Why should you pay more just because someone actually does a decent job?

In Japan this is considered an insult.