TGA

not my words but a FBFs

Dreamy

...mmm right..

Is it Sweeping Generalisations Day already?

Beoz

London cabbies always make a good loose change money box. Especially when they get really pissed off with you after you give them a street they can't remember from the knowledge test.

ozzieeagle

Quite simply Oz is basically a non tipping nation as it's lowest paid workers receive one of the highest minimum wages in the world @ circa 17 bucks or 9 quid an hour..

Takes something special to get a born and bred to tip, as they expect people to be paid enough.

bcworld

I don't think that's true. Most people are worldly wise enough to know things are different elsewhere. Aussies have a pretty bad reputation in the US for non-tipping, not because they don't know or understand how it works there, rather they just don't want to (tip).

ozzieeagle

I'd argue that it's a cultural thing BC... Yes the US is different and Aussies do know for the most part that people earn money via tips there. However I think that it goes against the grain for the average aus to top up someones income via tipping. Especially London Cabbies.


Personally I find it very difficult not to tip, and am at odds to a small degree with most people in my social groups when I do tip. It's one of the few UK habits thats still part of me.

Beoz

Um er .... sorry but when have Brits been into tipping? Oh you mean that 10% service charge thing that goes to the restaurant owner that is on your bill?

ozzieeagle

I'll definitely not tip a London Cabbie ever again, I'm fairly certain the last one we caught took note of our Melbourne tags on our suitcases and took an appropriately (in his mind) longer route from Victoria to Canary wharf..... Probably to cover what he thought would be the lack of tip. I tipped at the time, because it was late, and I was fairly unsure whether we had gone a long way or not, but after thinking hard about it, with my 30 year out of London map in my head... I reckon he conned us.... I think crossing the river twice was what convinced me.... Unless for some reason unknown to me that is a quicker and more direct route.... doubt it though, not at 11.30 pmish even for traffic reasons.

So be warned fellow Brits, if they think your Aussie, they may take a longer route.

Bermudashorts

I would have said it is pretty normal for a Brit. Taxis, hairdressers, beauticians, workmen etc.

Mr Grumpy

It is not the responsibility of the customer to directly pay the income of an employee. That is the legal responsibility of the employer. The concept of tipping is quite perverted and anyone who expects it is an extortionist and should be charged with a criminal offence.

Beoz

I've seen Aussies tipping hairdressers in Oz. I usually round up mine and give them a few bucks. Tipping should be for good service, matter where you are.

As for a London taxi driver, and a Sydney taxi driver, most don't deserve one.

Bello

i always tip, for me its just something i like to do, might be abit self centered sometimes but makes me feel good

BadgeIsBack

I see it's that old cockney mockney geezer TGA...

TGA

you love it!!!!

NigelWaring

A couple of years ago we joined a cruise in New York, the roadside baggage guy said if you give me a decent tip I'll make sure that your bags get to your cabin. He was about 50% bigger than me and about three decades younger. It would have been foolish for me to argue even though all that he could do was to cart our cases to where the crew member picked them up to take them to our cabin. I got the impression that if I hadn't tipped him our cases could have accidentally gone over the side. We are off to Japan soon where offering a tip in considered an insult.