Apologies if this has been asked before.

[sandrajo]

How do you feel about tipping? Why is it expected in some service industries but not in others?

[mistys]

I have worked as a waitress so I always tip. I think leaving one pound per person is more than enough. I don't like it when service charge is included however, I think it should be a choice. If you have had bad service then why should you have to tip them, and if you have had very good service then you are less inclined to tip when it has already been added into your bill, so the waiter loses out really.

Anyway waitressing is the worst job I have ever had, and I think most more than deserve a tip.

[logic]

I do not aggree with it at all, if waiters, and hotel cleaners etc don't get paid enough, they should not do the job in the first place, in wich case the wage would have to be increased,
My wife always left a tip for the waitress or waiter in a cafe,
but would never dream of giving a tip to a girl on a checkout till in a supermarket, which in my opinion must be one of the most tip deserving jobs in existence.
It can also put you in an embarasing situation if you are dining out with friends.

[Satan&Co]

Seems that the companies take it for granted and some use it to actually pay part of the wages
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91251-1 313243,00.html

"Many diners do not realise that a large number of well-known firms use the cash to make up workers' pay instead of letting them take home the cash as extra."

[Jugglering]

If you want to tip for excellent service etc, do make sure you give it in cash direct to the employee so it belongs to them and not their employer..... if you add an amount when paying by card, it belongs to the employer ! Yes, Satan and Legend are quite right, there are still some cheapskate employers who include the amount tipped in calculating staff wages (to bring them up the legal minimum wage - totally outrageous). Unfortunately for some people this sort of work is all that's available and they have little choice but to accept low pay.

I will tip for good, attentive service - about 12% usually.