Tipping in restaurants

[JanB]

Grumpy reminded me when we went to a restaurant for the first time in Ourique. Not been back since, even though the food was gorgeous.

The waitress was the most surly, banging plate down type of person, stared at us whilst eating and then slammed down the dessert menu.

We had ordered in Portuguese and she informed us "it's in English, speak English"

She got nothing. I actually paid to the last centime

[TheOstrich]

I've never automatically tipped in cafes or restaurants, to be honest. If service / food has been good, then yes, a few quid, not a percentage or anything.

The only regular person I tipped was the barber. Pre-Covid, when it was £8, I'd tip £1. But at the start of Covid, he hiked the price to £10 so he didn't have to handle coins (!) so I stopped.

Mrs O always used to tip her hairdresser pre-Covid when she paid cash. Since Covid, they've gone to card only as well as raising prices, so now she doesn't. As had been said up-thread whether these price increases are feeding extra cash back to the staff or just staying with management, who's to know?

[miasmum]

Whenever I go out we always split the bill too, no quibble just straight down the middle after its been rounded up.

But I suppose my thoughts are still why do you tip 10% and will you continue to do so after the minimum wage goes up?

Thats where I am coming from maybe, not do you tip, but why do you tip? Habit?

[Workingman]

Don't and Do.
A couple of reasons....

Don't.

Pizza Hut. The local one is self-service for hot drinks, cold drinks and ice cream. The waiting staff take your order and deliver it. That's it. Pay at the till on the way out. There is a tips box if you absolutely must.

Do.

Jino's Thai street food café. It is a favourite of the family for birthdays, special occasions etc. The meals are described under Thai names with a brief description but the staff are always at hand to explain deeper. You can also swap things within a meal like water chestnuts for spring onions, getting more or fewer chillies, not having sesame oil splashed on to dress a meal (my pet hate). If you are in a group you get a team of waiters so that all the meals arrive at the same time. Well worth a tip.

I have never given a thought to what the staff might get paid.

[cromwell]

I was brought up short when MrsC told me of a woman who works in a nearby pub that does meals.
Her wages for her part time job go on the bills and general expenses, her tips go towards food for her and her children. So that's why I tip there.