The Mezzanine

In Britain we tip a very limited number of people. In a taxi I generally pay to the nearest pound and tell them to keep the change unless they have been particularly helpful, in which case I might give a little more. In a restaurant I usually give 10%, because I know they are taxed on the presumption they get a certain amount each month. Always cash, though, never added to the card payment. And yes, waiters should be paid adequately and it shouldn't be necessary. I usually give my hairdresser a fiver if she's done a good job of hiding my grey locks. Other than that, most people tip removals men and often give a tip at Christmas to postpersons, milkmen and paper deliverers.

Generally tipping is rare here outside those groups, and would normally never go beyond 10%. It's not considered particularly mean not to leave a tip, either. I can't get my head round the tipping culture in the US.