Should you tip wait staff more at Christmas? Etiquette expert recommends DOUBLING tips during the festive period (research shows that the older people get, the less they give)
British people are naturally quite careful with restaurant tips. But an etiquette expert advises them to slow down and be more generous during the holidays.
He even recommends doubling the amount they would normally offer.
John-Paul Stuthridge said: ‘We Brits like to tip appropriately and not excessively. Christmas is the one time of year where we step it up a bit. No one has to do that, but increasing the tips is all part of the good and fun party atmosphere.
‘This may mean giving higher tips – 20 percent instead of 10 percent – or simply tipping more often.
‘Tipping on the spot via the ticket machine is still not entirely normal for many people, but if a waiter or establishment has a plate, coffee cup or the like, it is always welcome to drop a few pounds in there. At this time of year, the catering staff works very unpleasant days and hours and gives tips for this, especially on or around Christmas Day.’
Etiquette expert John-Paul Stuthridge (above) said: ‘We Brits like to tip appropriately and not excessively. Christmas is the one time of year where we step it up a bit’
However, the younger generation may not intend to follow John-Paul’s advice.
He was speaking as part of an investigation into the tipping culture at card payment and solutions providers DojoThe research shows that 18 to 24 year olds generally tip three times more than older generations, with an average of £18.24 per £100 note.
By comparison, over-65s pay an average of £5.11 per £100 note, which is below the typical 10 per cent tip.
John-Paul Stuthridge said: ‘Hospitality staff are working very unsociable days and hours at this time of year and are tipping for it – especially on or around Christmas Day.’
The research, based on 2,000 British adults, found that respondents aged 55 to 64 offer even less, with an average of £5.01 on a £100 note.
This group also claimed that they would prefer to eliminate the typical service charge and tip based on the service they received.
The research found that people aged 45 to 54 tip slightly higher – on average £5.15 per £100 note – those aged 35 to 44 tip £6.52 per £100 and 25 to 34 year olds tip on average £9.26.
Although this is a more generous amount than that of the older generation, and puts this age group in second place, it is still below the average of 10 percent.