Let me ask you a question,

The Family get together in restaurants should be outlawed, this mothers day the entire family descended upon a restaurant where we all ate in my opinion a " Bog Standard " meal. When the end came and it was time to pay the bill, chaos ensued.

To tip or Not to tip ?

My own personal view point on this is " Not to tip " which caused some division amongst the party. It's Outdated and Outrageous, and probably one factor in helping to keep the wages of waiters and waitresses low. I stuck to my principle despite being called Scrooge and other names and refused to put into the final bill, why is it people seem to think that by tipping they some how feel like lord of the manor throwing a few coins at the sub servants ?

My reasons for not tipping were explained but went unheard so i gave up and let them boil in their own juices, however my reasons are as follows,

1. I have decided my meal based on price along with my personal preferences so why should i pay more for an item i have already bought at a set price ?
2. Despite shouts of " The service industry is renowned for tipping to boost wages of waiters and waitresses " my answer to this was " Do you pay the Binman extra each week for emptying your bin " that's a service is it Not ?
3. Waiters and waitresses are on minimum wage, I'm sorry i didn't set the rate, nor did i set my own pay rate for the job i do, but if you are not happy, stick it out until you find something better. Easier said than done i know.

I work hard for my money as do the waiters etc but it's not my duty to top their wages up by emptying mine onto the table just because they put a plate under my nose. Where would it end ? do i have to tip a McDonald's worker next just because they are in the so called " Service " industry ? I'd be skint beyond belief. No one gives me extra on top of my wages at the end of the week for producing a component off my machine so why should it be different elsewhere ?

No I'm sorry but tipping feels like something out of the dark ages and in my opinion should be banned, i feel it is outdated and outrageous.

As ever, this post will be added to the MoneySavingExtreme website forum for open discussion.