When dining out, the question of whether to tip, especially if the service was subpar, can cause some anxiety. Tipping is not only common in restaurants but also in various service industries like hair salons, taxis, and hotels. A recent law ensures that workers receive all their tips, benefiting millions of workers in the UK. While there are no strict rules on tipping amounts, showing appreciation for good service is important, according to etiquette experts.

Tipping practices vary among individuals and countries. In the UK, a service charge is often included in the bill, while a 10-15% tip is suggested. In the US, tipping can exceed 20% and is sometimes mandatory. In some Asian countries, tipping is considered rude, but Western influence is changing this perception. The level of tipping may depend on the dining establishment, with higher-end restaurants often receiving larger tips to convey a sense of generosity.

Some customers feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills, viewing it as coercive. It’s essential to check if a service charge is included and request its removal if deemed unnecessary. Leaving a positive review on social media is becoming an alternative to tipping, as it can benefit the entire team, from front-of-house staff to kitchen workers. This gesture is highly appreciated by businesses and can have a lasting impact.

Tipping has evolved from leaving spare change to include card and contactless payments. The spirit of tipping remains strong as a way to thank hardworking staff. While tipping is a personal choice, it’s crucial to ensure that staff receive their due recognition for good service. Ultimately, whether through tipping or leaving a positive review, acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is essential in the hospitality industry.

Original news source: Should you tip even if the service wasn’t worth it? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask the students to work in pairs and summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the key information and practice paraphrasing skills.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the students into teams and have them take turns choosing a word to draw while their team guesses. This will help reinforce vocabulary retention in a fun and engaging way.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Designate one side of the room as “Agree” and the other side as “Disagree”. Read out statements related to tipping from the article, and have students physically place themselves along the spectrum based on their opinion. Encourage them to discuss their viewpoints with classmates who are in different positions on the spectrum.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the students into groups and ask them to list the pros and cons of tipping based on the information in the article. After a few minutes, have each group present their lists to the class. This activity will encourage critical thinking and debate skills.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine the future of tipping and discuss how they think tipping practices will evolve in the coming years. Encourage them to consider technological advancements, cultural shifts, and societal changes that may impact tipping. This activity will engage their creativity and encourage them to express their thoughts in English.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are some service industries besides restaurants where tipping is common?
2. How do tipping practices differ between the UK and the US?
3. How has Western influence impacted the perception of tipping in some Asian countries?
4. Why do some customers feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills?
5. In what way is leaving a positive review on social media becoming an alternative to tipping?
6. How has the method of tipping evolved beyond spare change?
7. Why is it important to ensure that staff receive recognition for good service, whether through tipping or other means?
8. According to the article, why is acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers essential in the hospitality industry?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

When dining out, the question of whether to tip, especially if the service was subpar, can cause some anxiety. Tipping is not only common in restaurants but also in various service industries like hair salons, (1)______, and hotels. A recent law (2)______ that (3)______ receive all their tips, benefiting millions of workers in the UK. While there are no (4)______ rules on tipping amounts, showing appreciation for good service is important, according to etiquette experts.

Tipping (5)______ vary among individuals and countries. In the UK, a service charge is often (6)______ in the bill, while a 10-15% tip is suggested. In the US, tipping can exceed 20% and is sometimes mandatory. In some Asian countries, tipping is considered rude, but (7)______ influence is changing this perception. The (8)______ of tipping may depend on the dining establishment, with higher-end restaurants often receiving larger tips to convey a sense of generosity.

Some (9)______ feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills, viewing it as coercive. It’s essential to check if a service charge is included and request its removal if (10)______ unnecessary. Leaving a positive (11)______ on social media is becoming an alternative to tipping, as it can benefit the entire team, from front-of-house staff to kitchen workers. This gesture is highly (12)______ by businesses and can have a lasting impact.

Tipping has evolved from leaving spare (13)______ to (14)______ card and contactless (15)______. The spirit of tipping remains strong as a way to thank hardworking staff. While tipping is a personal choice, it’s crucial to ensure that staff receive their due recognition for good service. Ultimately, whether through tipping or leaving a (16)______ review, acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is essential in the hospitality industry.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on tipping in restaurants and other service industries?
2. How would you feel if tipping was mandatory in your country?
3. Do you think tipping practices should be standardized worldwide? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever felt pressured to tip more than you wanted to? How did you handle it?
5. Do you like the idea of leaving a positive review on social media instead of tipping? Why or why not?
6. How do you think tipping culture differs between your home country and other countries you have visited?
7. What is the importance of showing appreciation for good service in your opinion?
8. Have you ever had a negative experience with tipping? Can you share what happened?
9. Do you think tipping should be based on a percentage of the total bill, or should it be a flat rate?
10. How do you feel about the idea of tipping being seen as a way to convey a sense of generosity in higher-end restaurants?
11. Have you ever worked in a job where you relied on tips for income? How was your experience?
12. What are your thoughts on the idea of tipping evolving to include card and contactless payments?
13. How do you think the perception of tipping in Asian countries is changing due to Western influence?
14. Why do you think some customers feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills?
15. In your opinion, what is the best way to ensure that service workers receive fair recognition for their efforts?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. subpar
2. etiquette
3. mandatory
4. perception
5. establishment
6. convey
7. coercive
8. alternative
9. gesture
10. evolved
11. contactless
12. recognition
13. appreciation
14. hospitality
15. acknowledging

Meanings:
(A) Using force or threats to make someone do something
(B) Required by law or rules; compulsory
(C) A business or organization, especially a public one
(D) To communicate or express something
(E) The act of identifying someone or something as having a particular status or quality
(F) The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests
(G) The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted
(H) A different option or choice
(I) Payment or interaction without physical contact
(J) An action performed to convey a feeling or intention
(K) The customary code of polite behavior in society
(L) Developed gradually over time
(M) Below an expected or usual standard
(N) Gratitude or thankful recognition
(O) Accepting or admitting the existence or truth of something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the recent law in the UK mentioned in the article related to tipping?
(a) Banning tipping in restaurants
(b) Ensuring workers receive all their tips
(c) Limiting the amount of tips workers can receive
(d) Making tipping mandatory in all service industries

2. What is the suggested tipping percentage in the UK?
(a) 10-15%
(b) 5%
(c) 20%
(d) 25%

3. In which country can tipping sometimes exceed 20% and be mandatory?
(a) United Kingdom
(b) France
(c) Canada
(d) United States

4. In which region is tipping considered rude, but Western influence is changing this perception?
(a) Europe
(b) Africa
(c) Some Asian countries
(d) Australia

5. What is one alternative to tipping mentioned in the article?
(a) Ignoring the service
(b) Leaving a positive review on social media
(c) Complaining to the manager
(d) Leaving without paying

6. What is a concern some customers have about automatic service charges on their bills?
(a) Find it convenient
(b) Appreciate the transparency
(c) Believe it leads to better service
(d) View it as coercive

7. How has the practice of tipping evolved, according to the article?
(a) From being mandatory to being banned
(b) From being a flat percentage to a fixed amount
(c) From leaving spare change to include card and contactless payments
(d) From being only for restaurants to all service industries

8. What is the main message of the article regarding tipping?
(a) Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is essential
(b) Tipping should be banned
(c) Tipping should be mandatory
(d) Tipping is no longer necessary

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. In some Asian countries, tipping is traditionally considered polite, but Western influence is changing this perception.
2. Tipping has evolved to include card and contactless payments, not just spare change.
3. Leaving a negative review on social media is seen as an alternative to tipping in some cases.
4. Tipping practices vary among individuals and countries.
5. Tipping is common not only in restaurants but also in industries like hair salons, taxis, and hotels.
6. A recent law in the UK ensures that workers receive some of their tips.
7. Etiquette experts emphasize the importance of showing disdain for good service through tipping.
8. Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is considered essential in the hospitality industry.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How does tipping vary in different countries and what are some common practices in the UK, US, and some Asian countries?
2. Why do some customers feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills, and what alternative gesture is becoming popular as a way to show appreciation for good service?
3. How has the practice of tipping evolved over time, especially with the introduction of card and contactless payments?
4. Why is it important to ensure that service workers receive their due recognition for good service, whether through tipping or other gestures?
5. How can leaving a positive review on social media benefit the entire team of a business, from front-of-house staff to kitchen workers?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are some service industries besides restaurants where tipping is common?
Hair salons, taxis, and hotels.

2. How do tipping practices differ between the UK and the US?
In the UK, a service charge is often included in the bill, while a 10-15% tip is suggested. In the US, tipping can exceed 20% and is sometimes mandatory.

3. How has Western influence impacted the perception of tipping in some Asian countries?
Western influence is changing the perception of tipping in some Asian countries where it was previously considered rude.

4. Why do some customers feel uncomfortable with automatic service charges on their bills?
Some customers view automatic service charges as coercive and may feel uncomfortable with them.

5. In what way is leaving a positive review on social media becoming an alternative to tipping?
Leaving a positive review on social media is becoming an alternative to tipping as it can benefit the entire team and is highly appreciated by businesses.

6. How has the method of tipping evolved beyond spare change?
Tipping has evolved to include card and contactless payments in addition to leaving spare change.

7. Why is it important to ensure that staff receive recognition for good service, whether through tipping or other means?
It is important to ensure that staff receive recognition for good service to appreciate their efforts and motivate them to continue providing excellent service.

8. According to the article, why is acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers essential in the hospitality industry?
Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is essential in the hospitality industry to show gratitude for their hard work and dedication, ultimately improving the overall customer experience.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) taxis
(2) ensures
(3) workers
(4) strict
(5) practices
(6) included
(7) Western
(8) level
(9) customers
(10) deemed
(11) review
(12) appreciated
(13) change
(14) include
(15) payments
(16) positive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. subpar
Answer: (M) Below an expected or usual standard

2. etiquette
Answer: (K) The customary code of polite behavior in society

3. mandatory
Answer: (B) Required by law or rules; compulsory

4. perception
Answer: (G) The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted

5. establishment
Answer: (C) A business or organization, especially a public one

6. convey
Answer: (D) To communicate or express something

7. coercive
Answer: (A) Using force or threats to make someone do something

8. alternative
Answer: (H) A different option or choice

9. gesture
Answer: (J) An action performed to convey a feeling or intention

10. evolved
Answer: (L) Developed gradually over time

11. contactless
Answer: (I) Payment or interaction without physical contact

12. recognition
Answer: (E) The act of identifying someone or something as having a particular status or quality

13. appreciation
Answer: (N) Gratitude or thankful recognition

14. hospitality
Answer: (F) The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests

15. acknowledging
Answer: (O) Accepting or admitting the existence or truth of something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the recent law in the UK mentioned in the article related to tipping?
Answer: (b) Ensuring workers receive all their tips

2. What is the suggested tipping percentage in the UK?
Answer: (a) 10-15%

3. In which country can tipping sometimes exceed 20% and be mandatory?
Answer: (d) United States

4. In which region is tipping considered rude, but Western influence is changing this perception?
Answer: (c) Some Asian countries

5. What is one alternative to tipping mentioned in the article?
Answer: (b) Leaving a positive review on social media

6. What is a concern some customers have about automatic service charges on their bills?
Answer: (d) View it as coercive

7. How has the practice of tipping evolved, according to the article?
Answer: (c) From leaving spare change to include card and contactless payments

8. What is the main message of the article regarding tipping?
Answer: (a) Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is essential
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. In some Asian countries, tipping is traditionally considered polite, but Western influence is changing this perception. (Answer: False)
2. Tipping has evolved to include card and contactless payments, not just spare change. (Answer: True)
3. Leaving a negative review on social media is seen as an alternative to tipping in some cases. (Answer: False)
4. Tipping practices vary among individuals and countries. (Answer: True)
5. Tipping is common not only in restaurants but also in industries like hair salons, taxis, and hotels. (Answer: True)
6. A recent law in the UK ensures that workers receive some of their tips. (Answer: False)
7. Etiquette experts emphasize the importance of showing disdain for good service through tipping. (Answer: False)
8. Acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of service workers is considered essential in the hospitality industry. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧