The survey by Thinkmoney showed Londoners were the most generous and also revealed an age divide – with 88% of 25-34-year-olds saying they generally tip, compared to 70% of over-55s.
The research shows people who work in tip-earning professions, such as bar staff, waiting staff, hair stylists and taxi drivers, are 19% more likely to leave a tip than people who don’t.
Londoners are the most generous with their tips, with almost half (49%) tipping between 10% and 20%, 7% tipping 20% to 30% and 1.7% giving more than 30%.
The survey was conducted among 2,000 people across the UK.
Ian Williams, spokesman for thinkmoney, said: “Our research suggests there’s a wide range of opinion to tipping in the UK, with plenty happy to admit they’d rather not tip at all. A gesture of thanks needn’t break the bank if tipping is approached sensibly and people only tip what they can genuinely afford.
“Although service sector employees in the UK are protected by minimum wage laws – unlike in other countries where tips form part of the basic wage – it’s likely that any tip is better than none to the staff serving us.”
Worst Tippers by Region
REGION PERCENTAGE WHO DON'T TIP
North East 35%
West Midlands 33%
East Midlands/Yorkshire and the Humber 32%
North West/East Anglia 29%
Northern Ireland 27%
South East 25%
South West/Wales 23%
London 16%
Scotland 13%
Most generous tippers by region
REGION TIP 20%-30% TIP OVER 30%
London 7% 1%
East Anglia 3% 1%
North East 2% 2%
West Midlands 0% 2%
South East 1% 1%
South West 2% 0%
Scotland 1% 0.3%
Wales, East Midlands and NW 1% 0%
Yorkshire and & NI 0% 0%
To see more results go to www.thinkmoney.co.uk