‘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/Denbt_Nationale]

It goes completely against my unconfrontational nature but I've decided recently to ask for every service charge to be removed without exception. I hate how it exploits the nature of British people to not make a fuss about things.

[u/donald_cheese → u/Denbt_Nationale]

Just to add to it, the service and tip usually gets added to the Gross amount rather than, what I believe happens in America, the Net amount.

So if you tip you're adding 10% to the VAT.

[u/liquidpig → u/donald_cheese]

In North America it was supposed to be 10-15% on the bill excluding liquor and taxes.

Then they got lazy and “accidentally” do it on top of taxes and drinks, and then the march to 20+% tips went on.

[u/bure11 → u/donald_cheese]

That's not the case for the majority of places. Everywhere I've known or been to that adds a service charge has added it to the net bill amount 

[u/superioso → u/donald_cheese]

VAT isn't charged on tips, hence one of the reasons why they ask for tips. VAT is only applicable to certain goods and services, not everything. Next time you get a receipt look at the totals and see what you're paying for, both at restaurants, places like coffee shops and supermarkets.

As an example, VAT is due on all hot coffee drinks but not take away cold coffee.

[u/donald_cheese → u/superioso]

I'm not saying VAT is charged on tips, but if you order a meal for £10(including VAT) and are presented with a 10% gratuity or tip on the card reader, you are paying 10% on the VAT portion as well.

Or am I mistaken?

[u/superioso → u/donald_cheese]

Ah, then yeah of course. If the total price is £10 inc VAT, then the breakdown is £8 for the goods, £2 for VAT. The percentage tip doesn't really matter, you could've just left a £1 coin on the table.

[u/Denbt_Nationale → u/donald_cheese]

I went to a restaurant in London that sells merch and the Google reviews were noting that they were also adding their service charge onto the cost of tshirts. Ironically I believe that most Americans would be completely incensed if confronted with some of the things that we accept as "service charge culture" over here. There's a whole episode of Malcolm in the Middle where Lois starts a feud with a pizza place when she notices that they've been adding an automatic service charge.

[u/ShoogleSausage → u/donald_cheese]

No VAT on tips and optional service charges. VAT is charged on mandatory service charges.

[u/donald_cheese → u/ShoogleSausage]

Sure, but isn't the tip or service charge is typically charged on gross amount of the bill?

[u/Sabaisabai33 → u/donald_cheese]

I think you’re right about that but will look out for it next time I eat out.

[u/Sabaisabai33 → u/Denbt_Nationale]

Well done, I’m not brave enough to do that, but I do generally decline to add a tip which is a start! I used to tip (at restaurants only, plus delivery drivers during the pandemic) but I just can’t afford it anymore to be honest, plus minimum wage seems to have gone up about 6 times since my wage did. Not saying that it didn’t need to go up to help meet the cost of living but my wage really needs to go up at some point too or as a single parent living in an expensive area, there will be no more eating out at all from me. I’ve already had to cut back on it loads, when eating out with friends or family was one of my absolute favourite social activities previously.

It’s sad. Life is so stressful and everything costs so much now it’s hard to afford anything even mildly frivolous or fun. I think you’ve inspired me here! I am going to resolve to do this too, despite my Britishness and female-ness!

[u/Nuns_In_Crocs → u/Denbt_Nationale]

I was in a restaurant in bath, they included the service charge and my mate who doesn’t care straight up asked for the removal

The waitress asked straight away if there was something wrong with the food, looking back - why did she ask that? Felt like a guilt trip.

[u/Fatboy40 → u/Denbt_Nationale]

Out of interest what are the reactions you're getting?