Despite the rise of contactless payments, most Britons still prefer to leave a tip the old-fashioned way. A nationwide study of 2,000 adults found that 58% tip in cash, while only 15% use a card.
Nearly four in ten say they’re more generous when tipping with coins or notes, and one in five admits they only tip if they have cash on hand. The decline of physical money has had an effect, too; 17% said they now tip less often simply because they carry less cash.
Personal connection remains a key reason. More than half of respondents said handing over money feels more meaningful, while many worry that digital tips don’t always reach the right person. Others prefer the control of deciding the exact amount themselves.
The cost-of-living crisis is also reshaping habits. Almost a quarter say they’re tipping less overall, and over half feel pressured by preset card machine suggestions. Even so, 60% still carry cash specifically for tipping.
Restaurants top the list of places most likely to receive a tip, followed by taxis and hairdressers. Interestingly, a fifth of people say they tip more when trying to make a good impression — proof that generosity, at least for now, is still best expressed in notes and coins.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG
