Do we need to give tips in any places? Get to know the English policy.

The whole thing about tipping in London differs much from the tipping in other cities outside an English boarder. The difference is that here are actually no tipping rules, so we can give nothing more than the hints about where the tips shall be given.

First of all we are going to mention restaurants. You can often see the service charge to be already added to the bill, taking about 12,5% of the total cost. This amount sometimes confuses even the London native citizens. Nobody is sure whether this amount shall be paid at all, and if yes – shall the tips be actually given. If you consider the service of the low level, say it to the manager right on the spot. If you do not do so and then refuse to pay the service charge, the things may get pretty unpleasant. So better bring manager’s attention to the problem before the things got any worse.

So, if the service charge is included in the bill and is ok for you, feel free to pay it – and not to leave the tips. Still if the waiter was really brilliant leave him or her some tips as the appreciation of the work. The amount of tips may be from £2 and up to how your budget feels. There’s no need to calculate 12-15% of the bill.

Same rules go for any local pub, however they mostly do not include service charge here. They do not wait for you to leave tips, still you may do it.

Now let’s talk about the hotels. Most of the tips are received by the local porter, about £2 – £5 for his help with the luggage, and the maid for room cleaning gets about £2. The cub drivers usually do not get tip.

The tips will be appreciated in the following hotels: Regency Hotel London of 4star class, the famous Levin Hotel 5* with luxury restaurant, the Langham hotel placed in the ancient building and most of the other accommodations.