Diners tip bad waiters £328m

Restaurant diners are paying more than £300 million a year in tips for service or food that is below par.

Of more than £1.6 billion that waiting staff are given each year, £328 million is handed over even though customers are not satisfied, according to a study of 1,000 people. It revealed 50 per cent of diners tip because "it is the done thing".

Others feel sorry for waiting staff or do not want to make a fuss.

Most diners leave between six and 10 per cent of the bill. The survey, for internet bank Smile, also shows that while waiters are the most tipped workers, two thirds of people give gratuities to taxi drivers and 61 per cent to hairdressers.

Only 14 per cent of people tip lavatory attendants.