Do you do Advent calenders? This was my view at breakfast today, I was working 9-5 rather than my usual 8-4 because of a training course, so I got to just about have breakfast in the light! So nice. My mother gave me an Advent calender on Sunday when we were at her house for dinner. I can't stop looking at it. It is a Quentin Blake calender and as I love his illustrations I am eagerly awaiting opening these doors!
Ai asked an interesting question in the comments of the last post about tipping in the UK. There is so much to say on it that I thought I would reply here rather in the little comment box :) Tipping is up to personal feelings so much of the time but there are cultural expectations that set the base line from which one's own generosity works. In some places and countries it is actually rude to offer a tip as it is not seen as being respectful. The USA seems to be much more of a tipping culture. In the UK I would say that the following rules apply:
- In a pub you always order drinks from the bar. This is also infamously the only place that British people do not queue in a line. You need to slightly assertively hold your place at the bar as the rule is that people get served in the order that they arrive at the bar. You should be fair in indicating who was first unless it is complete mayhem in which case you are lucky to get served at all ;) You would not be expected to tip in a pub at the bar. The exception to this is that if you order cocktails then you might leave a tip of 10% or so. I would especially adhere to this if it is a place you are ordering many drinks from. The desire to be tipped is usually indicated by the barperson handing you your change on a dish rather straight into your hand. Don't just leave random money on the bar like in the USA. You might also offer to buy the barperson a drink if they have done a great job or been particularily helpful in which case they might take the cost of a drink from your change. The rules are only different if it is a 'gastro pub' where you order food from a waitperson at the table. In this case the 'pub' is actually acting as a restaurant and the below rules apply.
- In a restaurant you would tip 10% for normal service and more if they have been very helpful. You would either add this to the credit card payment or leave it as cash after settling the main bill. Some places are not honest in passing on the tips to the waitperson so if in doubt ask the waitperson if they would prefer the tip left in cash or ask about the general policy on tips. Do not ever leave without tipping unless the waitperson was horrible or rude, they will see this as a horrible slur for you not to leave anything at all!
- Other everyday places that you might tip in the UK is to your hairdresser or taxi driver. I would be inclined to round up the taxi fare. If the taxi driver has been very helpful add more. The hairdresser is a tricky one as there are two people you might be tipping - the person who washed your hair and the hairdresser themselves. This requires tact, it is so much easier if there is a tip jar! In some establishments a tip is not expected so you need to use your awareness as to what might be the policy. For both taxi drivers and hairdressers they would not be insulted if you did not leave a tip, it is just something extra that you might do.
- It is tradition to tip the bin man (refuse collectors), postman, and milkman (or women!) at Christmas. I would say anything from £5-£20 would be normal but this depends on the relationship you have with these people. I have no idea who mine are so I don't think I would tip them.
If anyone has anything to add to this discussion I would be interested to hear it :)
