A survey consisting of more than 2,000 respondents has revealed who and why the British public tip.
While 88% stated that they tip waiters in restaurants – with 21% doing so even if they didn’t think they’d received good service – only 29% of respondents stated that they tip bar staff.
Uber drivers, however, were revealed to be the least tipped, with only 19% of respondents stating that they tip after a trip.
When delving into the motivation behind tipping, 61% stated that they do so because “that is just how things are done” while a further 24% said they only tip because they feel “social pressure” to do so, and would feel ashamed not to.
One survey admitted that they had tipped a taxi driver who” fell asleep at the wheel at a red light” because they would “feel awkward not to”.
Moreover, roughly one in five Brits would still tip at a restaurant even if they received mediocre service, while close to a third would feel too embarrassed to ask for service charge to be removed.
In addition, 15% of those surveyed stated that they tip because they do not feel that workers “earned enough”.
Full survey results
Do you tip the following?
- Beauty salon workers: Yes 62% No 38%
- Waiters: Yes 88% No 12%
- Hairdressers: Yes 73% No 27%
- Bar staff: Yes 29% No 71%
- Taxi drivers: Yes 77% No 23%
- Uber drivers: Yes 19% No 81%
- Delivery drivers
- Takeaways: Yes 49% No 51%
- Groceries: Yes 56% No 44%
- Shopping orders (Amazon/ASOS/furniture): Yes 22% No 78%
Why do you tip?
- Because I would feel ashamed not to/social pressure: 24%
- Because that’s just how things are done: 61%
- Because I don’t think they get paid enough: 15%
Which option best describes what you do at a restaurant?
- I only tip when it has been a good service: 79%
- I always tip, even if service was mediocre: 21%
Would you ask to take off service charge from a restaurant bill for bad service?
- Yes: 68%
- No, I would be too embarrassed to ask: 32%
Research: OnBuy.com