Fears UK may copy American tipping culture as pubs change how drinks are charged

America's over-the-top tipping culture might be creeping into the UK as some pubs have changed the way punters get charged for their drinks.

The Scotsman Group - which own 153 venues in Scotland - has introduced a two per cent automatic charge on beverages, similar to what they do in America.

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A pint at one of their pubs that's listed for £5.95, is reportedly costing £6.07, according to the Telegraph.

At another bar, their Pornstar Martini is advertised as £10.50, but costs £10.71.

While customers can request for the charge to be removed, one staff member said that 'most people don't notice because it is added to receipts'.

The bartender claims she earned an extra £200 on her last payslip as a result of extra drink charges.

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes said it's important that businesses in the hospitality industry remained 'crystal clear about what they are charging'.

She said: “Companies should be paying their staff appropriately and not relying on creaming off tips or service charges to be able to subsidise that.”

LADbible has contacted The Scotsman Group for comment.

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Tipping will remain a controversial topic, like marmite, you either like it or you don't - there is no in-between.

Content creator Christian (@cbwritescopy) went viral on TikTok last year when he said the way people tip in America has 'gotten out of control'.

This comes after, a fancy etiquette guide published by New York magazine The Cut suggests: "At coffee shops, coffee carts, cafés, and bodegas, tip at least 20 percent."

"Even though their pay isn’t as tip dependent as waiters’, the average salary for a barista in New York is just above minimum wage," they argued.

Although that kind of makes sense, what people are having a hard time coming to terms with is their idea that tipping 'anything under 20 percent is rude'.

However, Christian is fuming after comparing his tipping experience in the US with restaurant visit in Italy.

In a video posted on 23 September, he explained: "Just finished dinner in Italy, had a great three course meal, paid the bill, the waiter brings out the check and he goes 'sign here please'.

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"I got to sign it and there's only a line to sign your name.

"There's no tip line, there's no total line, nothing.

"You just sign your name that's it.

"Meanwhile in America, you pay for a water bottle and they flip the screen around and ask you to tip 20 to 30 percent - for grabbing a water bottle.

"And don't get me wrong, I'm happy to tip for great dinner service, like this guy in Italy deserved a fat tip.

"But to tip for a Starbucks employee to hand me a water bottle, like where do we draw the line? Seriously?"

Some people were in total agreement.

"If I don't sit, then I don't tip," one person said.

I actually agree and I work in the food industry." a second wrote.

"UK here. I won’t tip. Some places already add a 20 percent service charge. Not my place to pay the staff wages," a third added.