Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="hewligan" data-source="post: 3374147" data-attributes="member: 19688">I lived in New York for a couple of years after college, and as a Brit it was a difficult lesson for me about tipping. In the UK there is a minimum wage, but it is quite high (compared to US). I was told by my friends at the company I worked with in New York to top 2 times tax. I did that religiously and never got in to trouble, except once I tipped only about 5-10% because the service was terrible, food was late, waiter was rude, etc. I wanted to give nothing, but a colleague with me would not let me. When I left the restaurant the waiter actually followed me out and told me I needed to pay more. I then proceeded to ask him why. He told me 2 x tip. I asked if that was not what is known as a discretionary service charge, and since his service had been horrendous I was not going to give it to him. He started shouting and swearing at me. I walked off, but I wish I hadn't left him anything. Anyway, most times I over tip, and now in the UK I am considered a very good tipper.Case in point: Today when picking up my kid from his nursery, his carer, who had baby sat him the Saturday night before, gave me an envelope. When I got home and opened it there was a letter with a 5 pound note (about $10) saying I had over-paid her for babysitting. She just did not understand that I had given her a tip for arriving early and doing an excellent job. I need to go to the nursery tomorrow and explain that to her. Britain - you have to love it!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="hewligan, post: 3374147, member: 19688"] I lived in New York for a couple of years after college, and as a Brit it was a difficult lesson for me about tipping. In the UK there is a minimum wage, but it is quite high (compared to US). I was told by my friends at the company I worked with in New York to top 2 times tax. I did that religiously and never got in to trouble, except once I tipped only about 5-10% because the service was terrible, food was late, waiter was rude, etc. I wanted to give nothing, but a colleague with me would not let me. When I left the restaurant the waiter actually followed me out and told me I needed to pay more. I then proceeded to ask him why. He told me 2 x tip. I asked if that was not what is known as a discretionary service charge, and since his service had been horrendous I was not going to give it to him. He started shouting and swearing at me. I walked off, but I wish I hadn't left him anything. Anyway, most times I over tip, and now in the UK I am considered a very good tipper. Case in point: Today when picking up my kid from his nursery, his carer, who had baby sat him the Saturday night before, gave me an envelope. When I got home and opened it there was a letter with a 5 pound note (about $10) saying I had over-paid her for babysitting. She just did not understand that I had given her a tip for arriving early and doing an excellent job. I need to go to the nursery tomorrow and explain that to her. Britain - you have to love it! [/QUOTE]

Verification