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We will be in London for 3 days pre-cruise next month. When and where is the gratuity included and when should it be added? What percentage is considered appropriate? We will be taking taxis, limo service (from the airport and to the cruise terminal in Dover) and eating in restaurants. Thanks.

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A big subject - but a simple reply, basically ....

 

Restaurants 10 - 15%. If possible it is better to leave it in cash rather than addit on to the credit card to be sure that the intended staff get the tip. Check on the menu or the bill (check) if gratuity is already added - I still might leave a couple of quid for a nice waiter even if it is.

 

Taxis - add £2/3 under £20, £3/4 under £30 and so on - for a limo guy it would be reasonable to add £10-20 depending upon distance / service / number of bags.

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We will be in London for 3 days pre-cruise next month. When and where is the gratuity included and when should it be added? What percentage is considered appropriate? We will be taking taxis, limo service (from the airport and to the cruise terminal in Dover) and eating in restaurants. Thanks.

 

Sorry to be a bit vague but there is no appropriate.

 

Tip if you feel you get good service but don't feel that you have to tip as you do at home, to receive a tip in the UK is a bonus and no one will be offended or come running after you if you don't.

 

I tip around 10% in restuarants but not if the service is poor. A few restuarants add a service charge - check the bill, it should say so on there. You can remove it if you want. If I'm going to tip I prefer to pay cash to the server rather than pay it on the bill. I round up the fare for a taxi, but no more than a couple of pounds and only if the taxi driver is nice :) I've never taken a limo :o

 

Please don't worry about it too much, tipping isn't a big thing in the UK. Spend your money on yourselves instead and enjoy your cruise :)

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Thanks for the replies, but now I am really confused
Sorry. To try and sort out the London taxi thing, here's roughly what I do:-
  • Fare up to £5: At least 20p, rounded up to next 50p or whole pound.
  • Fare £5-£10: At least 50p, rounded up to next 50p or whole pound.
  • Fare £10-£15: At least 50p, rounded up to next whole pound.
  • Fare £15-25: At least £1, rounded up to next whole pound.
  • Fare over £25: I shouldn't have been in a taxi. :)

If I'm feeling particularly generous or the driver has been particularly good, I might tip a bit more. Occasionally, if the driver has been a complete plonker, he will get nothing.

 

But in general, all this seems fine with the drivers. As usually I'm in a cab once or twice every day, this is either a pretty widespread view or I have an unusually thick and insensitive skin. Before the big increases in fares which started about five years ago or thereabouts, they expected more. However, as I say, the expectations have come a long way down.

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For black cabs, in general round up to the the nearest pound. Its probably seen as being a little mean if you don't - conversely, some cabbies have waived me small change where its just over a round number eg £5.10, so there's a little give and take.

 

For more substantial journies, say over £25, I might add 10%, if the driver has been particularly courteous or helpful. It is certainly not expected.

 

In restaurants, people generally tip 10% or thereabouts for service if its at least adequate. Many restaurants automatically add a service charge of 10-12.5%, and more if the party is large (say 6 or more). Don't be afraid to ask if service is included. I believe that, technically, you are not legally obliged to pay this if you do not feel it is deserved.

 

There is no need at all to tip bar staff, although the use of small metal trays to return your change in some of the posher bars might suggest otherwise! There really is no culture in the UK of doing this.

 

Hope this helps.

 

JFH

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There is no need at all to tip bar staff, although the use of small metal trays to return your change in some of the posher bars might suggest otherwise!
Indeed, as far as I'm concerned any bar staff that - at the bar - return change on a small metal tray are instantly disqualifying themselves from any possibility of any form of tip. It's a disgraceful form of pressure.
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What you have to remember is that tipping is not a way of life in the UK, unless you are a taxi driver its a windfall that is no big deal if not given. Clearly expectations are very high from an American staying in a Marriott where people there are accustomed to 15 and 20% tips, but the same people from experiance would be pleasantly surprised if they got anything at all from say a Korean.

 

I would suggest most UK people do not pay tips at all to barmen and room maids. For London taxis I would suggest just leaving the change. On a run down to Dover, 10-20 GBP if the driver was courteous and helpful would be gratefully received.

 

In restaurants some. especially in London will add gratuities to the bill, this practise gets English peoples noses up and I've seen people insist on a replacement bill without the gratuities added.

As a general rule if the table has a cloth on and the waiter is comfortable walking you through the menu i.e. offering a service then consider if a tip is worthwhile. But only tip if you have received good service, nobody is going to come down the road after you if you don't tip.

 

Whatever you tip, don't tip 15-20% like in the states, 10% is generous.

 

Above all don't get stressed worrying if you should tip or not.

If you feel don't feel comfortable not tipping then tip even if nobody else is.

Receivers of tips in the UK for the most part view tips as an unearned windfall, its not perceived as an incentive to provide a better service.

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