Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A survey by consumer group Which? has revealed the nation’s habits when it comes to tipping everyone from waiting staff to posties – and we’re not as generous as we might thinkA survey from Which? found just under 30% of people tip waiting staff after every meal (stock)(Image: Getty Images)Service sector workers’ tips are being handed out extremely chaotically, research has shown. Just under 30% of people tip waiting staff after every meal, and a quarter do so more often than not.However, one in five customers have owned up to never tipping at the end of a meal out. The study by Which? found that only 28% tip their hairdresser every time, with 38% saying they had not tipped a hairdresser or barber in the past 12 months. Three-quarters of respondents said they never give a gratuity to bin collectors or posties, and a third never tip their taxi or Uber driver.Nearly four in 10 people never tip their hairdresser (stock)(Image: Getty)And of those ordering from a food delivery service such as Deliveroo or Just Eat, only one in 10 said they tip every time.Which? also found that confusion is rife over who actually gets the money. Since legislation last October, employers are now obliged to pass on all tips to workers, without deductions. However, just under a third who had tipped in a restaurant in the past year said they were not sure who got the money.Reena Sewraz, Which? retail editor, said: “Tipping can be a great way to reward good service but our survey reveals widespread differences in etiquette – with some sectors unlikely to receive a gratuity at all. You should never feel obligated to leave one but, if you wish to, tipping in cash can ensure it gets into the pocket of the person who served you, if that’s what you want, rather than ending up in a pool. Small gifts such as chocolate could also be an alternative, a nice way to thank your postie or bin collector at the end of the year.”Are you one those who give a tip to every time you get a takeaway delivery? (stock)Tipping overall can be seen as a minefield, from when to do so, to how much. Which? has advice on how to tip well, including having cash for those who want to reward a specific member of staff, rather than a whole team. It also suggests talking to staff about how tips are shared and who gets what.For those nervous about leaving a tip, or who can’t afford it, Which? recommends leaving a good review online, perhaps naming specific staff.Finally, it urges people not to be embarrassed, saying you shouldn’t feel obliged to tip if the service received was not up to standard. You can ask for any service charge to be removed if you’ve had a bad experience.The US and Canada are widely seen as being the most generous at tipping, with adding an extra 10% to 20% on meal bills considered the norm, often to boost workers’ basic wages.At the other end of the scale are countries such as Japan, where tipping isn’t just uncommon, it is considered embarrassing.
