Tipping isn't common in the UK, as far as I know
Save for a "keep the change" or something along those lines.

I understand tipping is commonplace in America- mainly because it forms a large part of the staff's pay.

But the minimum wage in the UK is high enough for tipping not to be necessary, mandatory, or even expected.

And I'd always thought it was the same way, throughout much of Europe. Maybe I've been coming across as a tight bastard when I've been in Belgium. I do hope not.
( Thinker, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 19:19, 2 replies)

Hehe, maybe!
Also check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip

I'd say Belgium's situation is about the same as Germany's.
(St. Dymphna, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 19:30, closed)

UK tips
generally i go for 10% in restaurants (unless they've already applied a service charge, in which case zero), and rounding up the the nearest 50p or £1 in taxis ... the idea of tipping shop assistants or bar staff (as in the USA) just seems weird
( writerblock ... embedding disabled by request on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 21:46, closed)

I usually tip in bars as well
Every few drinks that is, not for every drink. And it's more a 'keep the change' thing than anything else :) One dollar a drink in the US is extremely weird to me... (even weirder than tipping hotel staff etc, I really cannot see myself do that)
(St. Dymphna, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 22:22, closed)

It can work out quite well in the States
When I lived there, shelling out a few extra dollars on the first few rounds meant really swift service and, more often than not, lots of free drinks later (providing you tip a dollar for every freebie you get...).

Still took a while to get used to though!
(Lapin, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 12:12, closed)