Sophia Money-Coutts: What’s the deal with tipping these days, given that literally everything has become more expensive?

If you’re an American and reading this, move on. You guys are confident and generous enough when it comes to tipping. You have no need for help. Unfortunately, we Brits are, generally, less comfortable with the practice. To us, tipping — whether it’s after a haircut, a day’s shooting or a week on a superyacht — is a distressing experience which we try to manage as quickly as possible. Brits will palm someone a note or an envelope, stutter thanks, then largely turn and flee. Urgh, money. How revolting . How desperately vulgar.

Tipping can feel even more fraught, these days, given that the price of basically everything has leapt up and many are feeling the pinch. VAT on school fees and a tenner to your hairdresser? You’re not Jeff Bezos!

Obviously, in most places, tipping is optional.