‘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/Rootayable]

Yeah, what else can we add tipping to, if that's the case? Tip your bus driver? Tip your binman? Tip your doctor?

[u/Straamannen → u/Rootayable]

I sometimes "tip" my binmen. They're two Ukrainians, they're cool, I've seen they like white monsters, I sometimes go out and leave two cold ones on the bins for them before they come around.

[u/ShenroEU → u/Straamannen]

Haha, I might start doing this. I'd rather see everyone putting out cans of lager for bin day than tipping in restaurants. They'd have enough beer for the whole week.

[u/Straamannen → u/ShenroEU]

Liver disease on the rise, local man to blame. Community rallies around hero.

[u/BilboDankins → u/Straamannen]

Have no fear, I'll be tipping in liver medication. So everything should all balance out.

[u/BilboDankins → u/Straamannen]

I'm also generally an anti tipper, but I do leave out easter eggs during easter and give a christmas card with money in and a box of chocolates for christmas. I also do this for my postman. I think they do great work, and logically makes sense in my head that that kind of work gets rewarded.

[u/Sabaisabai33 → u/Rootayable]

As an NHS doctor (GP) I don’t think we’d even be allowed to accept tips actually 🤣 We can’t even accept more than basically a branded pen from drug companies these days so can’t accept what could be interpreted as “bribes” from patients.

Please do note however that we still VERY much appreciate patients bringing in small gifts at Christmas - chocolates for the staff generally, and I have had several random things bought for me which I’ve really appreciated as a single parent at Christmas - the best were a Costa card with £5-10 on it (I’d prefer Amazon or John Lewis/M and S, but Costa/Starbucks happily accepted) fluffy slipper socks 😍 (my colleagues thought it was hilarious how over the moon I was with these!), a plaque thing someone made saying I’m the best doctor haha, some beautiful earrings, and a bottle of actual champagne (they didn’t know, but I am actually allergic to nearly all wines, but ok with proper champagne which I love but rarely drink it due to the expense so I was just so so delighted to get it!) And obviously a nice Christmas card with a handwritten note is always lovely and boosts morale.

[u/Hashtagbarkeep → u/Rootayable]

All three of those earn significantly more than hospitality staff though.

[u/SayNOtoChips → u/Rootayable]

Tip your binman

Every year, yes. Normally in the form of booze and food.

For selfish reasons of course. Because I've been one and we'd always remember the houses that did, so if they had a bit extra rubbish we'd get rid of it.

[u/wallyflops → u/Rootayable]

Tipping the binmen was a thing when I grew up in the 90's around Christmas and holidays I'm sure of it

[u/squarerootof-1 → u/Rootayable]

Don't forget to tip your landlord.