A couple of months ago, I read an article on tipping, and how, in London, the owners/managers of the various establishments incorporate that 10-12.5% into the bill - and, crucially, the extra whateverpercent you sign for doesn't go to the people who've been serving you, but the people who own the establishment. Typically, that whateverpercent goes to pay the wages of the serving people...
... unless you decide otherwise. If, like me, you tip according to the quality of service - and you want to be sure the tip goes to the people who've made your dining experience a pleasant one - don't automatically sign for that 10, 12.5, 15% on your bill. It's optional; you can avoid it. Ask the waiter/waitress whether it goes to them or to the managers. They'll be happy to tell you; they'll be happy to be asked. If the added whateverpercent doesn't go to the waiting staff, don't pay it. Score it off the bill - but be sure to pay it in cash. Make sure the people who've made your dining experience a good one are remunerated for their pains. Pay in cash.
I've been adhering to this for the past couple of months, and it's made tipping much easier. In my experience, waiters and waitresses don't volunteer this information, but they're extremely keen to tell you about it if you ask - they see it as evidence that you're interested in them as individuals as opposed to service-providers. Ask - and, if the whateverpercent doesn't go to your waiting staff, score it off and pay in cash.
Apologies for repetition within this post. I'm pissed out of my face. On a school day too... |
