Good to know about United Kingdom
Table of contents
Etiquette in Britain
Dining etiquette
- You should leave a very small amount of food on your plate when finished eating
- Leave a dinner party shortly after dinner ends
- Wait for your host to begin eating before digging in
General etiquette
- Handshakes are light, not firm
- Do not push, shove or cut in line. Ever
- Always hold the door for the person behind you
Tipping in the UK
Leaving a tip is fraught with misunderstandings all over Great Britain. Making many think of the class-based society this nation is trying to move past, there are times when a tip is most definitely not well received.
However, many do appreciate your tips, and here are some basics for tipping in England and the United Kingdom:
Wait staff usually receives up to about 10% of the bill in most restaurants, with higher tips customary in more upscale places. It's not fair, but that how it works. Also, if the service is not satisfying, local think nothing of not tipping at all, and you should follow suit. The thought is that a certain level of friendliness and competence is why they are paid wages to begin with.
You would normally not tip in a local cafe or coffee shop, though a few coins are appreciated.
Taxi drivers certainly like getting the fare rounded up to the nearest pound, or even a couple of quid extra for a late night or long ride.
Bartenders sometimes won't even accept your tips, but most appreciate a pound coin. Just leave it on the counter once you've got your change.
Most of all, tipping here is seen as recognizing better than normal service.
