Are we at a tipping point?

Move over awkward small talk, chats about the weather and arguing who ate the last gyoza; there’s a new debate dividing the dinner table: are we becoming a nation of American-style tippers?

New research reveals Britain is officially at a tipping point. Nearly half of us (46%) admit we feel annoyed or pressured when a service charge is added to the bill, yet more than 4 in 10 (47%) still quietly pay it. So while we might mutter into our napkins, most of us are searching in our pockets for change or simply tapping “accept” on the card machine.

The research from Lightspeed highlights how younger diners are far more likely to leave a tip behind when eating out. A third of 18–29-year-olds say they’re happy to pay a service charge, and a quarter (26%) believe it should always be paid. For many, it’s less about obligation and more about empathy, having often worked in hospitality themselves.

Aston spoke to Liam Crooks, managing director of EMEA hospitality at Lightspeed.

Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash