h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On a very limited budget here, (due to need to save probably with less spare cash than most of these poorly paid wait staff infact. So the question is how do I tell when I should tipp. (living in east anglia UK). On the rare occasion that I go out for a meal it's a big treat (and fortunatley somewhere like MaccyD's so I dont need to worry) but obviously I'm not used to reading restaurant vibes. If I know a large tipp is expected I would'nt go in the restaurant. So other thn the simple things like taking lots of change so I can leave however much I decide and not have to ask for change from paper money, what should I do?


Having worked in shops, as a chef in a horrid little coffee thing (till i got sacked)as a toilet cleaner and in a hospital laundry I understand what it is like to have a nasty job and deal with the public all day. I am not unsympathetic to the plight of staff in 'service industries' but I do resent the implication that just because I might want to have a pizza on my birthday I can afford to leave a large tip which will possibly be spent on necessities but more likely be spent on a CD. If I wanted it to be spent on junk I could do that myself!

Other than avoid eating out all together, and let's be honest I only do it about once a year anyway, what am I supposed to do?

Please help

FABT

brain like a seive me, that first line should have read (saving £15,000 in a year)