Tipping in the UK - do I do it or no?

I just got back from the UK and wasnt sure whether to tip the waiter in a restaurant or not.  Ive heard that tipping isnt customary...but in nicer restaurants or what?

What do I do?

 

Usually, I do about 10% in the UK if it's good service.

Also, it varies from restaurant to restaurant but some places add in a discretionary service charge (that you can dispute and refuse to pay if you feel the service sucked or whatever).  I don't tip on top of that.  But if service isn't included, I usually tip 10-15%. 

we usually tip 20% in the uk if the service was good. Last night it was 30% because I like to tip in cash and all I had was a £10 note and it's a place we go regularly. because tipping is less expected I tend to be more generous here than in the states. 

I tip, because I just don't feel right if I don't.  But to be honest, I tend to be more generous in places where we are regulars.  Mr. K thought I was nuts at first, but we are regarded as special customers in those places and always get a table and great service.

I usually tip 10% in restaurants, maybe up to 15% if it was excellent service (maybe a bit less than 10% if money is tight). However, I don't tip anything if the service was totally crap (it has to be really bad for me not to leave a tip at all though).

Depends on the restaurant.

I've been to places were gratuity was explicitly included in the bill breakdown, and didn't leave an extra tip (unless the service was exceptional).  And I've been to places where gratuity wasn't explicitly included in the bill breakdown, but the waitstaff were surprised when I did tip and alerted me (as an American tourist at the time) that it wasn't necessary.  And I've been to places where they make it clear that no form of gratuity is included in the bill and to please remember to tip, and I've tipped then.

In the US, I usually tip a minimum of 20% after tax, but my fiance says that in the UK, only 10-15% is ever really needed.  20% in his opinion is a bit overkill, unless it's a favorite local and you have a good relationship with the staff there.

Also, it varies from restaurant to restaurant but some places add in a discretionary service charge (that you can dispute and refuse to pay if you feel the service sucked or whatever).  I don't tip on top of that. 

Good point. If a service charge is added, I don't tip at all.

I don't tip if I have to go up and order my food at the counter (like in a pub or at Nando's or somewhere like that). I do tip 10-15 % if its a nice restaurant and they are taking my order, so long as the service charge is not included (it will state clearly on the cheque if it is or not). I don't usually tip bartenders. I've tried a few times and they always treat me like I'm being ridiculous, so I just stopped. If they have a little tray on the bar (some of the ones in London and Edinburgh did, but not around here), then sometimes I will put in a few coins (no more than a pound).

I tip, because I just don't feel right if I don't.  But to be honest, I tend to be more generous in places where we are regulars. 

Yep, we have a few neighborhood places that we go frequently, and they always magically have a table for us and wonderful service.  Places where we're regulars also tend to be on the cheaper end, so a pound or so extra might mean a ginormous tip (on a percentage basis).

I don't tip if I have to go up and order my food at the counter (like in a pub or at Nando's or somewhere like that).

Good point!  I never tip in those situations, either. 

I've finally gotten over my compulsion to tip in pubs.  When we first arrived, I just felt awkward not tipping, it's just so ingrained in the US.  But it quickly became evident that it was more awkward to tip than not.  So I stopped. 

If you are a regular at a pub and you know the barperson a bit maybe when you get your last order of drinks of the evening you can say "have one yourself". Especially if they have been helpful with big complicated rounds. Since bar staff are generally not allowed to drink on duty they will "put it in the till" or in a glass or bowl or something. I have found this gets over any awkwardness very nicely.

If you are a regular at a pub and you know the barperson a bit maybe when you get your last order of drinks of the evening you can say "have one yourself". Especially if they have been helpful with big complicated rounds. Since bar staff are generally not allowed to drink on duty they will "put it in the till" or in a glass or bowl or something. I have found this gets over any awkwardness very nicely.

Yes. My friend and I bought a round of drinks for the staff at a pub we went to in London because we had been in there several times through the week and the staff were really friendly to us. They still protested a bit, though, but we won in the end.