Gratuity? - The UK doesn’t get it.
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008I just got back from SEO Class in the UK. This was a terrific class with world class presenters including Internet Marketing Consultant, Ammon Johns of Fresh Egg, SEO & business consultant, Brian Turner, Shaun Anderson, cofounder of HOBO, an SEO company in Scotland , and Lyndon Antcliff, master linkbaiter who offers a killer content creation service. Heck - even Quadzilla of the SEO Black Hat Blog
took time out from his world tour to make a presentation!
The class was a wild success. The presenters were all great guys. Everyone learned a lot & had a great time in the process.
Outside of the conference, I was somewhat surprised to discover that it is impossible to get decent service in a UK hotel, restaurant or pub. Need a room after flying all nite and arriving at the hotel at 7:30 AM? Too bad. Wait till 2:30. Never mind that these were arrangements made in advance.
Need to combine some tables at the restaurant for a large group? Well those tables aren’t going to combine themselves. Have at it my friend.
Ready to order your meal? Well, belly up to the bar, buddy. That’s right - all 10 in your party. You don’t expect the server to handle 10 orders do you?
Tipping in the UK is a “foreign” concept, so there is ZERO incentive to do anything, but scrape by. From what I heard, this even extends to the strip clubs (.)(.)
A note to visitors to the US from the UK: Please tip your server / strippers generously. The value of the GBP vs the USD is exceptionally strong . Sure, I used to be a cheap SOB who hated the idea of tipping, just like you - but I have seen the light.
Thanks Edinburgh