Who not to tip
The UK, London, falls between the two. Here are some people you do not tip:
- bar staff making or serving drinks, or bringing food to tables
- people in coffee shops who make drinks or serve food
- ushers in theatres or cinemas etc
- bus & coach drivers, ticket collectors, inspectors
- police, fire, ambulance staff, doctors, nurses, pharmacists…
- immigration staff
- buskers and beggars
- doormen
- guides on paid tours
- shop assistants and street vendors
- hotel cleaning staff or reception or handymen
- general delivery drivers
In fact, most people. It’s not a part of the culture, it’s not expected, it could be awkward or embarrassing. We generally get a decent wage for doing a decent job,
There are chains, Starbucks we are looking at you, where there could be a tips jar on the counter. This is because the staff know many Americans will come in and they will leave a tip out of habit. And no-one turns down a bit of extra money, right. But don’t do it.
Who to tip
Here is a list:
- taxi etc driver
- anyone who carries or stores your bags in a hotel (more like a charge anyway)
- wait staff in restaurants etc, people who take orders, deliver food and provide information
- guides on free tours
- hairdressers
- room service
- food delivery drivers, maybe
- anyone who provides a better-than-expected service or goes out of their way to help
That’s about it.