Tipping Southampton car service

[taffyemma]

We have hired a car service to bring us from LHR to Southampton.  Is tipping the driver customary?  If so, how much?  Also, should we tip in Southampton restaurants?

[kerryincork]

Tipping in UK is not customary,

 

No more than 10% in any of the restaurants.

[John Bull]

If the trip is up to standard (always has been for us) we Brits normally give a driver £5.

You don't say where you're from, but if you're north American the driver might be hoping for ten unless you can perfect an English accent . Or better still, perfect an Australian accent - then he'll be expecting nothing at all. 

 

Check whether the restaurant has a service charge (if it does, by law it has to be shown on the menu).

We try not to use restaurants which have a service charge (it's not the British way), but if we do we never leave a "second" tip even for exemplary service

Southampton's not a tourist city and most restaurants don't have a service charge except sometimes for large tables. 

For dinner for two (total £40 to £80) we usually leave £5 in cash (in most restaurants you can alternatively add it to your credit card payment) but if the service is sub-standard we don't tip. Staff are paid at least the legal minimum wage and tips have to be earned.

We go one step further - if the meal is sub-standard we don't tip. Not the server's fault, but they should go work for a decent restaurant. 

With part-service eg order & pay for food & drinks at the bar (common in pubs), reduce or delete tips accordingly.

 

JB 

 

[Bob++]

On that trip from LHR to Southampton, the driver will usually help with the luggage. Assuming he does, a fiver is sufficient - if he is not helpful then don't tip. As JB says - tips have to be earned.

 

We usually tip in restaurants unless the food or the service is bad. For the pubs where you pay in advance at the bar we generally don't tip at all. I have never seen a service charge at a pub with that system, but that doesn't mean someone won't try it on.

 

In pubs, It's common to open an account at the bar, where they will swipe your card. All your meal and any extras like fancy coffee or drinks will be added up and you check out at the end. If you feel that the wait staff earned a tip then give them cash.

 

Incidentally - if you use a taxi for a short trip across town (taxi back from the restaurant/pub) then no tip is expected or required.

Edited April 26, 2019 by Bob++

[LHT28]

we found  a couple of places in Southampton did have the SC included  & some had tip bowl on the counter

Did not see a way to add a tip to CC payment  & never thought to ask them to add more to the bill

not something we do here 😉

[taffyemma]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.