Only 29% of Brits tip bar staff

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​

• 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%

• 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%

• I only tip when it has been a good service: 79%
• I always tip, even if service was mediocre: 21%

• Yes: 68%
• No, I would be too embarrassed to ask: 32%

Research: OnBuy.com​