The British attitude towards tipping

The way the Brits treat tipping is pretty cool. It's not expected at all. In America, when it comes time to tip, I always feel like I'm going through motions that have no meaning. I either tip the requisite amount or someone will spit on my food next time or make me stand waiting for a drink for a while. Here, if you order a drink at the pub you can either not tip or order "one for yourself". In other words, you show the publican some respect and offer to buy them a drink. It turns an utterly mechanical reaction into something thought about and far more personal. Honestly, I haven't had a chance to try it out, I'm still learning so much about the differences but hopefully tomorrow night I'll be able to give it a go.

I'm having some trouble figuring out the food ritual at the pubs here. I know now that you find your table, look over the menu, go to the bar, order your drink and meal and pay immediately. That gets you a spoon with a number on it that I'm not sure what the purpose of is. I guess it's just a way of numbering tables, but I also know that her in America you can order food at the bar and have it brought without a numbered spoon. The host brings the food to you and so far I've just been getting up and leaving my plate when I'm done. I'm not sure if leaving the finished plate is the right procedure, but I haven't heard any complaints so far.

Still learning a lot, lots left to learn. It's not exactly a backwards world but the little things that make it unique are interesting.

-- Cheers