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Fortunately attendants in London (well outside the worst places in the west end) seems to be a dying trend.

In fact the last time I saw any it was in Dublin.


It's not a matter of being tight, I'm just perfectly capable of washing my own hands with soap and water thanks.


In Holland the attendants (usually ladies outside the bog doors) don't wash your hands, but they do threaten to kill you if you think about setting foot back in the toilets having previously left without tipping.

It always added an extra edge to the night out!


And yeah, hate the silver trays. It smacks of thinking you're so grubby they don't want to risk touching your hands. Not enough toilet attendants clearly ;)

You'd rather see the cost of service and toilet cleaning fully absorbed into the price of drinks? Fair enough - I suppose it's a matter of preference.


Personally I prefer tipping bar staff as it incentivises good service.


I also don't mind toilet attendants as they keep the toilets clean. I certainly wouldn't be intimidated by them.

It's just a fact that if they are getting tipped for serving they will serve more people. It's an incentive.


Furthermore, if they are pleasant and courteous then they are likely to get bigger tips.


I have no problem paying for good service- you rarely get it for free.

Each to their own. Traditionally Britain doesn't work with a tipping culture on the whole, outside of a restaurant or a cab.

We expect Sainsbury's to be clean without having to tip, I don't see why it should be otherwise with The Bishop.


Likewise, if I had a good night and good service I'll probably wave away a few quid change from a note, but I don't like that it should be expected with every drink and bad service ensues if you don't (a la the States); why should it be, that's your job to pour a pint and it took you all of 15 seconds, well done. Silver trays is the thin end of that wedge.

Asset- I think it's pretty obvious.


Imagine working in a really busy bar with bar staff paid a flat hourly rate (minimum wage no doubt) then how would you feel about serving as many people as you could as quickly an courteously as possible. Now contrast that with the same situation but where each time you served someone you picked up 50p or a quid.


Which bar would provide the better service do you think?


Then it just comes down to whether you value good service and if so how much are you willing to pay for it.

>>Then it just comes down to whether you value good service and if so how much are you willing to pay for it.<<


The problem with this though is the next step in the progression: where the waiter/bog attendant/whatever instantly assesses each new customer for their "tip potential" and then proceeds to render a quality of service designed to realise that potential. The waiter blatantly and shamelessly working one table (to the detreiment of the adjoining tables simply because he rightly surmised these were businessfolk on expeses or rich americans or whatever and would tip him royally at the end of the meal used to be one of the real curses in eating out...

Reasons for bars employing toilet attendants (in order of actual importance)


1. To create an impression (now hopelessly outdated) of 'exclusivity'

2. To put people off doing coke in cubicles.

3. To stop people having sex in cubicles.


4. To keep the toilets clean.


(4) Rarely ever occurs, as the unpaid attendant is too busy thrusting tissues at people and trying to make eye contact so they feel guilty enough to leave a tip.

1. To create an impression (now hopelessly outdated) of 'exclusivity' - No one thinks that.

2. To put people off doing coke in cubicles. - They don't stop you doing coke as long as you tip.

3. To stop people having sex in cubicles. - See point 2.


4. To keep the toilets clean. They do indeed.


They also give out aftershave and chewing gum but I expect you've got your own bottle of Joop in your man-bag *Bob*.

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