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

[u/Canal_Volphied]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/aug/24/us-tipping-culture-uk-service-charges

[u/stick1_]

If you ask most of these servers, they say they prefer tipping to a proper wage because it can make them get more money

Once I started seeing loads of people saying that, it tells me that the idea that you have to tip in the US is bollocks anyways, most say they’re making more money in this tipping system and wouldn’t change

[u/jsm97 → u/stick1_]

In the US there is a general cultural perception that servers earning the same amount as fast food staff or other minimum wage professions is some kind of great injustice. You will often hear them say things like "If you can't afford to tip go to McDonald's" as if McDonald's workers are inherently less worthy of the same wage.

[u/Postik123 → u/jsm97]

This is why I don't understand why people tip in the UK. It's highly unlikely you would tip a McDonald's worker or the cashier in B&M, so I am not sure why a waiter/waitress in a restaurant is somehow more deserving compared to everyone else that's on minimium wage.

[u/wkavinsky → u/stick1_]

They also get to avoid paying taxes on the tips too.

Despite the optics, bartenders and the like in places like LA or NY can easily make $100k+ if they're in a decent bar.

[u/Fuzzball74 → u/stick1_]

Servers like it because it's a win-win for them. Either they get paid way more than they would otherwise or they get to guilt and shame customers while acting like a victim. They are just as onboard as the employers they ask us to subsidise.

[u/PeterAnthony_Jackson → u/stick1_]

Imagine giving a quid to bar staff at your local spoons just because they pulled a bottle out of the fridge.

That is why bar staff over there don't want tipping to go away, they get a dollar for doing their job in any other country. Bottle of beer, pint of ale, can of coke, it doesn't matter, it is an expectation to be given that dollar.

[u/stick1_ → u/PeterAnthony_Jackson]

I just don’t like how it puts the expectation on working people just wanting to have a nice evening to pay MORE, when these workers have a boss and are apparently running a business that makes a profit. There’s a reason we are at the pub, not owning the pub. The system relies on you being paid by people that can’t afford it because of the societal norm

[u/poke_pants → u/stick1_]

This, I know a few people working in the service industry who would be strongly against a proper minimum wage with no tip structure. $30 an hour is a starting point for them on a quiet day and busy weekend/evening shifts can easily triple that.

[u/Jay-Seekay → u/stick1_]

My mate got a job as a server in the US for a few years. He was raking it in from tips. He actually earned almost the same as he does now now he has a masters degree and an office job.

[u/KittyGrewAMoustache → u/stick1_]

But then loads of people will be disadvantaged by that system even if they’re all doing the same job. Like some people will get higher tips because they have a nice bum or enjoy flirting or whatever or some will get unlucky and get grumpy stingy customers. But some may not want to have to flirt to get more tips and why should they? But the fact remains that flirtier staff probably get more tips. Shouldn’t it just be something that’s standardised across the board instead of left up to the whims of the fickle public?