Many would argue that tipping culture is out of control, while others say servers are underpaid and diners should be compassionate. Two things can be true at the same time. But what happens when the service is super shoddy and the waitress is rude and entitled to boot? Do you leave a tip? Maybe yes. Maybe no. Or perhaps the bare minimum...
One guy decided 10% was enough after receiving what he described as "really poor" service. To his surprise, the waitress berated him, publicly humiliated him, and called him a cheapskate. The customer retaliated in his own spiteful way. He's given a full account of the incident online, but many are divided about whether he handled it the right way.
What was meant to be a romantic night out turned into a dinner disaster for one couple
Image credits: Yunus Tuğ (not the actual photo)
Not only did they receive terrible service, but they were publicly humiliated as well
Image credits: Golden Horn Bridge (not the actual photo)
Image source: LeJeb40
Most Americans aren't always sure whether or how much to tip for various services
Only about a third of 12,000 Americans polled by the Pew Research Center say it’s extremely or very easy to know whether or how much to tip for different services. In short, most people are confused.
According to Investopedia, you should expect to tip in places like restaurants, bars, salons, and hotels. This includes servers, bartenders, hotel bellhops, delivery drivers, valet drivers, and more, they say, adding that it’s also customary to tip your hairstylist, nail artist, and food delivery driver.
"The actual tip amount varies depending on the service, but restaurants generally follow a 15% to 20% rule," advises Investopedia. Qantas Airlines' experts put the figure higher. "A gratuity of 20 to 25 per cent on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with extra given for topnotch service," reads the site.
Qantas explains that servers in America work hard for the money, adding that they're "generally friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for customers."
What happens when you receive shoddy service?
"If your expectations weren’t met, it’s acceptable to tip less than usual—some people may tip as low as 10%, but it’s advisable not to go below that," advises Investopedia. "Be mindful of conditions out of your server’s control, like the kitchen running slow."
The site adds that unless the service is totally terrible, you should not skip the tip for restaurant workers.
Bad service is unusual but it happens, says Qantas' travel experts. But they, too, don't advise not leaving a tip unless the service is utterly "dreadful."
"Leaving just 10 per cent is a clear indication that the experience was not up to par," notes the site. "If you really don’t think your waitperson deserves to be paid for their service, the best course of action is to explain to the restaurant manager why you’re not leaving a tip. If you depart without tipping or providing an explanation, your server will want to know why."
"Ungrateful": Many netizens felt the man did the right thing
But not everyone agreed, with some saying the guy could have handled the situation better
People came forward to share their own experiences dealing with "entitled" servers
