'Keep That': Restaurant Server Returning Low Tip to Customers Sparks Debate

A waiter turned heads online after sharing in a now-viral post that they recently let a customer keep their "insulting" tip.

Posting in Reddit's "Antiwork" forum under the username u/VascoDegama7, the server said that, despite providing "prompt and courteous service," the customer left a $3 tip on a $58 bill. The post has garnered over 9,700 upvotes and sparked a heated debate amongst commenters about tip culture.

How Much Should I Tip?

The federal minimum wage for tipped workers in the United States is just $2.13 per hour, according to Real Simple. And although the hourly wage in some states can be as high as $14 per hour, in many cases, tips account for "over 60 percent of a server's total earning," TableAgent, a restaurant reservation system, told Real Simple.

With this in mind, Lizzie Post, the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette expert Emily Post, told CNBC that customers should always leave at least a 15 percent tip.

"The baseline is 15 percent for basic service, but if you have any extra cash or you feel inspired, go for it and tip more,"

Should I Tip If My Service Was 'Subpar'?

Post said, adding that customers should never "skimp" on this, even if service is "subpar." Instead, they should pay the 15 percent gratuity and then speak to a manager.

"Never let your tip speak for you," Post said.

An 'Insulting' Tip

The tip u/VascoDegama7 received, however, was less than 10 percent.

"Tonight a table of two came in, ordered some beers, an appetizer and a pizza. They received prompt and courteous service from me. Drink refilled on time, food brought out hot, check delivered as soon as they were done eating," u/VascoDegama7 wrote.

"Now when I give bad service, I know it...I don't get upset over a tip if my service was poor. I get it," u/VascoDegama7 continued. "[But] this couple received perfect service from me."

The waiter said the couple's bill amounted to $58.48, but they only left $62. Frustrated, u/VascoDegama7 took the change out from the register, walked out to the parking lot and returned the couple's tip.

"[I] wasn't rude, just told them, 'It's ok, you can keep that,'" u/VascoDegama7 recalled.

"Five percent is not a tip," they added in the comments section. "It's an insult. [T]aking the money means allowing yourself to be insulted."

Redditors' Mixed Reactions

'Mad at the Wrong People'

Many Redditors took the story as an opportunity to vent about tip culture and slammed u/VascoDegama7 for taking their anger out on the "wrong people."

"OP [original poster] is getting mad at the wrong people. Be mad at the people who are exploiting your labor and forcing their customers to pay your wage so they can cut corners and line their pockets," u/False_Maintenance124 wrote.

"It's simple; you've been hoodwinked, and you blame the customer," u/ieGod said. "There is no legal, moral, or ethical contract between you and the customer that isn't outsourcing the restaurant's failings of adequate pay. You're mad at the wrong people."

u/letscheckthisout2 added: "Lol imagine getting mad at the customer and not your s**tty employer."

'Can't Tip? Don't Eat Out'

Other commenters critiqued this way of thinking and argued that, while tipping culture "shouldn't exist," customers still need to tip their servers appropriately.

"Tipping culture should not exist. But it does in the US. If you can't tip don't go out/order takeout. I don't understand why this is hard for people," u/Emothional-Price-4401 commented.

"Wow, so much arguing about tipping. Yes, we all know that the system that requires tipping is messed up. But, the system that requires tipping exists...If you can't afford to tip whatever the standard rate is in your area, then you can't afford to eat out. The system sucks but it isn't the waiter's fault," u/Ok_Definition322 argued.

u/BBQ-Batman said: "If you tip less than 20 percent then f**k you. No excuses."

Newsweek has reached out to u/VascoDegama7 for comment.

Tip Culture News

Of course, u/VascoDegama7's post isn't the first to start a conversation about tip culture.

In January, a drive-thru customer received online support after stating in a now-viral video that "tipping culture has gotten out of control."

Last year, a photo of a restaurant flyer asking customers to tip went viral, sparking an argument about tip culture.

And earlier this month, a server ignited a viral debate on TikTok about tipping after telling viewers she once shamed a man into giving her a better tip.