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An alleged Applebee's server's low tip has gone viral in a TikTok video viewed more than 568,000 times. It's ignited a heated debate over tipping in the comments section.
In the TikTok video posted by @kingj023241, a receipt is shown dated December 13 at a Staten Island, New York, Applebee's that was zoomed in and out on. A song by Boostedlx91 played with the lyrics, "No, no, no." The amount due was $73.45 for the whole meal, and the customer left a tip of $6.55, totaling the bill to an even $80. There was also a note left by the customer as well that said, "You was great, holidays are just rough right now." The note pointed to the tip amount with a sad face added as well. The customer signed the receipt, which also had at the bottom a suggested tip amount of 18 or 20 percent, which would be a total of $12.14 or $13.49 respectively.
According to Statista, the total food service and drinking sales in the United States in the year 2020 equated to $621.5 billion. The age group with the highest annual average expenses on food away from their home are between the ages of 35 and 44.
Consumer Reports suggested leaving a tip between 15 and 20 percent of your bill before taxes when dining out at a restaurant. However, 20 percent is the amount the majority leave.
The viral video has sparked a debate among viewers. Some people defended the customer, while others have a different outlook on it.
"Ban tipping," one viewer suggested. "Force the restaurants to pay servers living wages."
Some TikTokers didn't mince words. "If I can't afford a 20% tip, then I'm not going out for an $80 meal," a user said.
"Then don't go to a restaurant and spend $74," another person suggested.
While one fan added, "Holidays can't be that rough still spending almost $75 on a meal."
"If we can't tip at least 20%, we don't go out to eat," a TikToker revealed.
While other viewers actually defended the customer. "They wanted to take their family somewhere nice, and at least they tipped," someone said.
"Tip shaming is so low," another viewer admitted. "Why not call out the establishment that doesn't pay y'all guys instead of calling out a family that just wanted a night out?"
Another viewer told the creator of the TikTok to "be thankful." "Tips are not an entitlement." They also added. "Tips are not mandatory. They gave what they could."
"They're struggling," another person said while defending the customer. "They left a nice note explaining the low tip. I would be appreciative enough."
One TikToker simply said, "Better than nothing, be grateful."
Newsweek reached out to Applebee's for comment.
