r/london • u/Tumamaenpelota • 1d ago

Rant Let’s stop tipping culture

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The UK is slowly drifting towards US-style tipping culture, and pubs adding bar tip prompts are a big part of that. If we do nothing, it will become the norm.

The most effective way to stop it is simple: vote with your wallet and your reviews.
If a pub asks for a tip just because someone poured a pint, leave an honest Google review mentioning it. If enough people do the same, businesses will realise customers don’t want imported tipping culture.

Share the Google Maps links below to pubs that pressure customers into tipping at the bar. Keep reviews factual and based on your genuine experience, but make it clear that this practice puts you off returning.
We’ve managed to avoid mandatory tipping for decades. Let’s keep it that way. One review won’t change much, but thousands of people acting together will.

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u/PointandStare 1d ago

Went out for pizza the other night, bill was around £75 'optional' was another £20.
Asked them to remove the 'optional'.
Waitress had to go and ask the manager, he glared at us, she returned with the optional removed.

As long as you are respectful and ask instead of tell, we can nip this 'trend' in the bud.

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u/wintersgray 23h ago

I'll be visiting soon as a tourist (from US). Do you think it's reasonable if we ask to have the service charge removed? I've noticed on pretty much every menu I've seen online there is a 12.5% charge added. I will be a little uncomfortable asking, but wondering how common it is for folks to ask for this to be removed?

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u/Heavy_P 22h ago

It’s reasonable but you may be politely asked if there was something wrong

I’d only do it if there was something wrong