A British expat living in the United States has issued a stark warning to fellow UK tourists about a common American custom that consistently leaves visitors from Britain bewildered: the deeply ingrained and often pressured tipping culture.
The Screen and the Stare: A Modern Tipping Dilemma
The man took to TikTok to share his experience, highlighting the now-ubiquitous moment of payment. He described the anxiety of having a self-service machine spun around, displaying tip options of 25%, 20%, or 30% while a staff member watches. "British people, you are not prepared for tipping culture in America," he stated. "They're staring into your soul like it's a test... where is the option for, 'I smiled politely'?"
He humorously pondered the consequences of selecting 'no tip', asking: "America, do alarms go off?" His video resonated with many, with one commenter agreeing: "Oh my gosh, the screen and the death stare, it's the worst."
Why Tipping is Non-Negotiable in Many US Services
Unlike in the UK, where tipping is often discretionary for good service, in the US it is a critical part of many workers' income. Employees in roles like waiting tables, bartending, taxi driving, and hotel service often earn a low base wage supplemented by tips. For them, gratuities are essential to make ends meet.
The expected amounts can be a minefield for the uninitiated. In restaurants, 20% is frequently considered the standard, while at a bar, $1 per drink is common. For hotel housekeeping, a daily tip of $2-5 is the norm.
Brits and Americans React: From Bewilderment to Defiance
The discussion sparked a wide range of reactions from both sides of the Atlantic. One British user back from New York said the machines made them feel "so much worse," noting they are now "everywhere," even in counter-service takeaways.
The original poster was particularly baffled by being asked for a tip on a takeaway coffee from a chain, exclaiming: "I can't." However, not all Brits felt pressured, with one user claiming they "no tipped most places" without issue.
Americans also weighed in, with some expressing frustration at the system's expansion. One shared a story of getting frozen yogurt, serving themselves entirely, only to be presented with a tip screen at the register—the one time they left a $0.00 tip. Another stressed the importance of not punishing servers for bad food by withholding tips, as it's "the servers that lose out not the chef."
Meanwhile, a practical tip emerged from the comments: always calculate the gratuity yourself based on the pre-tax bill, as machines often base percentages on the total including tax.
The consensus among many, including Americans, is that while tipping for full table service or delivery is understood, the practice has "gotten out of control," extending to scenarios where minimal to no service is provided. For UK tourists planning a stateside trip, forewarned is forearmed: prepare your wallet and your resolve for the ubiquitous tip prompt.
