We last mentioned tipping at the beginning of the year, but it’s in the news again and for all the wrong reasons: tipping as a way to make up the minimum-wage (shocking!) and tips for waiting staff going straight to the owners means that the very act of leaving a little extra after a good meal is being brought into question.

Indeed, a few establishments have been so nonchalant about their actions to the point that they are now being boycotted as Facebook groups like this one show.

I’d hope we all agree that waiting tables is a very thankless job normally and when you consider that this is often a way for students to put themselves through college or for people new to the city to get a foothold here, tipping is important.

If you scroll through the comments left on Word of Mouth, you’ll see some from people who have worked these jobs and explain exactly why tipping is crucial from their point of view:

When I worked at a VERY busy covent garden restaurant for up to 40 hours a week as a full time student, basic wages came to less than £130 a week. Tips were the lifeblood of staff there who all clammered to get the plum tables so that they could at least pick up enough to pay their rent. I agree its not up to a customer to subsidise but please done think we were all going home with bulging pockets every night.

It’s very healthy debate and it does question how good an idea it is to ever leave a tip via credit card, but what do you guys think? Will you be joinging the Facebook protest groups, tipping in cash only from now on or do you think it’s all a storm in an after dinner teacup?