Tipping in London: Know How Much & When to Pay?

Understanding Tipping Culture in London

The tipping custom in London is considered unique because the very concept of tipping originated in the 17th century in Britain itself. The tipping culture in London is more relaxed and less mandatory as compared to other countries like the United States. Though the possible factor may be that, employers are paid handsome salaries in London as compared to other lands, which contributes to a more flexible tipping culture. However, tipping is not a requirement, it is a polite gesture to show appreciation for the best services in hotels, cafes, salons, etc.

If you want to tip for the services you liked the best, the amount generally ranges from 10% to 15% of the bill in restaurants, but some entities sometimes include service charges. To help you get a better understanding of these tipping customs and how and when you can pay, below are the tipping policies in London at different establishments during your visit to London with your friends and family.

Why Tipping in London Is Appreciated?

Londoners usually appreciate tipping as a way to respect for the best services offered. It is a practice that evolved from historical customs of rewarding servants and has become a social norm worldwide, especially in the hospitality sector. Thus, the following are the possible reasons for the appreciation of tipping in London you can refer:

1. Service Quality: As per the latest finding by Southern Economic Journal, tipping is a strategic investment in service quality. It is a social behavior that creates a reputation that affects future service.
2. Discretionary Nature: Tipping is not mandatory; it is a polite way to say thanks to the service provider if you feel the deliverance was good.
3. Cultural Practice: The tipping culture in London is majorly a social norm and people's tip because it is expected, often due to feelings of unfairness or embarrassment.
4. Extra Earning: The tipping norm in London seems a big portion of their income. Therefore, London consistently demonstrates higher labour productivity compared to the UK average.
5. Motivational Factor: According to the American Economic Association, tipping showcases the psychological and social motivations that significantly influence economic behaviour.

After knowing the reason for tipping in London UK, time to learn about tipping styles at different establishments like cafes, bars, hotels, taxi drivers, etc.

Tipping at Restaurants and Cafés

A service charge will be added mechanically to your bill when a VAT of 20% is added. Service tax will be usually around 12.5%. It is always optional. So, if you have satisfactory service, you just pay the total bill, including the charge in the final amount. If you had poor service, just pay the total bill without service charge, usually labelled as subtotal.

Service Charge Is Added

If you decide not to pay the service charge due to bad service, then you will have two options to handle the situation. If you are paying with a card, say no to them that you are not going to pay the service charge when they arrive with a payment machine. When you are paying the bill with a cash amount, just pay the subtotal to the server. In that case, tipping in London restaurants is your choice, and of course, you are not going to pay a service charge due to poor service.

No Service Charge Is Added

If a service charge is not added to your bill, then paying a 10-15% tip is customary, though you can pay even more as per your wish, if you find the services exemplary good. Here, it is essential to know that many times tipping in London cafes is collected together and thereafter distributed to other staff members.

Besides restaurants, if you are with friends and want to go out to Bars & pubs every weekend, and thinking about whether you should tip bartenders or not? So, the possible answer depends on your choice, for this, you can read the next section.

Tipping in Bars and Pubs

In most of the pubs and bars, tipping for standard bar service is usually not expected. However, some visitors generally may choose to leave a tip, when they feel the service was exceptional. Here is the categorization of tipping essentials for the following services:

1. Standard Services: Bartenders do not expect tips when you are buying drinks at the bar. The general perception is that they are receiving paid salary for their service.
2. Exceptional Services: If you feel that the bartender has provided excellent service, you can offer a small tip in the form of rounding up the bill will be a nice gesture.
3. Buying a Round: When you are buying drinks for your whole group, offering a drink to the bartender is a way to thank them for their service.
4. Table service: It is customary to pay 15% to 20% of the total bill when you are seated at a table and receiving the services.

Tipping Taxi Drivers and Ride-Sharing Services

London's taxis are widely celebrated and known for their high standards. They are iconic symbols of British life and a popular mode of transportation, which must pass a difficult test called " The Knowledge". So, you can imagine how their service would be? Excellent, thus drivers must deserve the reward.

Tipping Ride-Sharing Apps

Multiple ride-sharing services are operating in London, including Uber, Bolt and Gett. There are specialized services too, like Wheely and Blacklane.

1. Optional: Tipping is however, usually optional through the app as this is the tipping policy in London for ride-sharing services. Though you can leave 10-15 % of the fare is often recommended as a reasonable amount.
2. In-App or Cash: Some companies provide a facility to tip through the app itself after you have rated the driver for the service. Many companies like Uber provide a facility to pay via the app, you can tip them between £2 – £5.

Tipping Taxi Drivers

Black cabs are London's official taxis, you can find them on local streets or fixed stations, such as train, tube and bus stations. You can book them via the Gett app and by phone. Besides, you can hire private services such as minicabs. However, tipping taxis in London depends on the following conditions:

1. Hourly/Short Drive: Generally, in London, tipping taxi drivers happens by rounding the bill amount. For example, if the fare is£9.40, you could round it up to £10. 
2. Day Trips: If you are planning for a day trip, then you can typically tip between around£5 and £10 per person or 10-15% of the tour cost.

With the help of a taxi driver, you will now reach your hotel, resort or guest house, it will be your home for the next few days. So, you must select that abode which offers excellent service. You can even award hotel staff with your polite gesture.

Hotel Staff and Housekeeping Tips

When you are in London and do not visit its mesmerizing hotels, would be a loss for you. However, at high-standard London hotels, it is suggested to tip around £2 per bag to the porter and in medium-end inns people tip up to £10. Following is a more detailed breakdown of the tipping in London hotels for the various services:

1. Housekeeping: £5-10
2. Bellhops/Luggage Service: £1-£2 per bag in high-end hotels, or £2-£5 overall is common. 
3. Valets: Tips range between £5-10 per service. 
4. Front Desk Staff: If you are happy with the service, a small tip of £3-8 is a nice way.

Being at a hotel all the time is not the wise option at all, you must visit the city and of course, what will you do. For that, you need to hire some guide services in some or other form. In London, you will get loyal and affordable tour guides, and if you tip them then of course your experience will just double.

Tipping Tour Guides and Experiences

Visiting the whole city with your family is one of the best things to do in London, but your experience depends on whether you have chosen private tours or free tours. If you have paid for your tour, then you do not need to give a tip anymore. If you have done free tours, it is highly suggested for tipping, because these local tour guides only make money when tipped by tour guests. To be very honest, in that case, you should show your appreciation for getting a tour for zero cost. You can check out below basic tip rules for tours in London:

1. Free Tours: £10-£15 per person for the best experience or £5-£10 if you have less budget.
2. Private Tours: 20% would be a suffix for your private tour, if you find so, as you have already paid for the tour service.

Various hotels in London offer salon services as well for your relaxation. However, if you want separate services, you can visit some of the best salons in London.

Tipping at Salons, Spas, and Personal Services

There are some very popular and well-known hair salons in London such as RichardWardHair & Metrospa and STA studios. Though tipping in London for salon service is not mandatory, 10% of the total bill will be good, and 15-20% for more elaborate styling. Besides, following is a detailed breakdown of tips for specific services:

1. Hair Service: £5-10 is considered a pretty amount, even for shorter haircuts.
2. Massage & Spa: A 15% tip is usually appropriate for spa treatments like massage and facials.
3. Personal Services: This includes waxing and makeup and 10% will be a good start.

Thus, we have covered all the methods and styles through which you can tip in London, but have you ever noted that there might be some situations when you should not tip? And being a tourist, you should be aware of this so that no one can make you a fool.

When Not to Tip in London?

Now coming to the situations when tipping in London should not, the following are the cases involved:

1. Fast-Food, Self-Service: Tipping is not compulsory for this kind of setup as it does include your self-help service.
2. Bars & Pubs (without table service): Do not pay for just buying drinks at the bar, tip only if you are using table service specifically.
3. Service Charge Added: In high-end restaurants and hotels, service charges are automatically added to the bill so tipping is not expected.
4. Public Transportation: If you are using public transport services like city buses or trains, you should not tip for them.
5. Foreign Student: If you are a learner at London University and living in student accommodation in London, you should not tip for anything ranging from taxis, tours or cafes. As you are staying there with a planned budget, so use your money wisely.
6. Other Services: Tipping is not usually expected for concierge services such as a hotel retainer, guides and provides solutions for guests’ problems.

Conclusion

So here we are! Tipping in London is a customary practice not mandatory as the United Kingdom carries the legacy of soft power and global influence. Therefore, hospitality is itself in its roots, the blog has covered all the fair tipping suggestions for the establishment ranging from restaurants to transportation. You can refer to this information for your reference during your visit to London. Additionally, we have also mentioned that you should not tip if you are living in student accommodation in UK at your parent's cost, a service charge is added or you are doing help service. So, wish you all the best for your London journey!

FAQs

1. Is tipping mandatory in London?

No, tipping in London is not a compulsion, but it is a common and appreciated practice. Tipping is more about showing good gestures for better services rather than being a requirement.

2. What is the etiquette for restaurants in London?

In London restaurants, your etiquette shows respect and gratitude when interacting with staff or people. Following are a few restaurant etiquette you must include in your personality while dining at London restaurants:

1. Tipping
2. Greeting
3. Politeness
4. Table manners.

3. When should you not tip in London?

There are certain circumstances when it is not recommended to tip in London, the following are the points given:

1. A service charge is added
2. Self-help Services
3. Meal-Takeaways & Fast-Food
4. Public Transportation
5. Budget Constraints

4. How much should I tip in a London restaurant?

Generally, you can pay around 10-15% for good services, however, it is crucial to first check your bill, as many establishments add an automatic service charge to it. If the bill already has service charges, you do not need to tip extra.

5. Can I tip using a credit or debit card?

Yes, a credit or debit card is the way you can tip. You will add the tip amount to the bill, which will then be added to the total amount charged to your card. However, some establishments may provide a line for tips on the receipts, you can either fill in the amount or choose from the recommended percentage.