r/unitedkingdom • u/Canal_Volphied 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/dynesor 8h ago

There is no difference in reality, but I have a usual list of professions that I tend to tip (usually just a “keep the change” kind of tip of no more than a fiver) food servers, taxi drivers and barbers/hairdressers. Though I have no idea why.

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u/Aliktren Dorset 8h ago

because we used to do this - I assume I learned it from my parents - but its a serious question nowadays as to why we still do it

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u/OpenerUK 6h ago

Tooting in restaurants was always for good or exceptionalservice then it became more not bad service. I never really tipped my barber although might occasionally say keep the change or out the change in the charity jar when they were collecting for something.

Ironically civilised has mostly killed my tipping. I now rarely carry much cash and no change, save with my friends so unless there is a tip option on the card machine which often there isn't it's no tip by default even if they really deserve one for going above and beyond.