A Longhorn Steakhouse customer grilled a server about how much she earns per hour. Her clever response angered him, garnering praise from other food service workers.
In a video with over 774,000 views, TikToker and Longhorn Steakhouse server Wiz (@wiisssdddoom_) sits in her car after a shift at the popular American restaurant chain.
“It was time to set the bill down, and he was like, ‘Do y’all really only make $2.13 an hour?'” she recounts.
While the federal minimum wage is $7.25, food service workers who receive tips can legally be paid less, with the expectation that tips will make up the difference.
The man allegedly asked her, “‘So you don’t get a paycheck?'”
She says she briefly explained that she doesn’t get a physical check, as she withholds the hourly pay for taxes.
“He’s like, ‘Why do you work here?'” she recounts. “‘I mean, it’s good money.’ He was like, ‘Well, I would never work for less than…’ and then he says how much he makes.”
She politely says she politely said, “‘Well, that’s good for you.'”
Despite the customer’s high salary, he made a bold statement about tipping, leading to Wiz’s hilarious response.
How Did The Longhorn Steakhouse Server Respond?
She says the customer told her he “refuses to tip 20%” because “it shouldn’t be coming out of [his] pockets.”
According to NerdWallet, a customary tip for great service at a restaurant is 20%. For average service, 15% is acceptable.
“I said, ‘It’s OK. I don’t need it,'” she recalls with a smile. “That made him so f—— mad. I don’t even understand why. ‘Cause why are you trying to play in my face right now?”
Longhorn Steakhouse servers’ income depends on location and shift schedule. However, workers on the subreddit r/LonghornSteakhouse shave shared how much they usually make.
“I work weekends and Monday. I make about $100-200 per lunch and $200-300 per dinner. It’s great money and quick-paced,” one shared.
“I work Monday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, pick up a double sometimes on a Sunday, and a couple of evenings during the week here and there. Including my hourly rate ($6.75) + tips, I’m currently at an average of $46 an hour for March at 45 hours. It’s really good money,” another said.
What Did Other Servers Think Of Her Response?
In the comments section, other servers praised her brilliant response to the rude customer. Some said they plan to borrow her response the next time a customer makes a bold statement about tipping.
“He was trying to degrade and rage bait you, and it didn’t work. He probably hates his life fr,” one remarked.
“Shoulda thrown in a ‘you probably need it more than me anyway’ for a little razzle dazzle,” another wrote.
A third added, “Giving people the reaction they don’t expect is the best it makes them livid.”
Others shared similar encounters they’ve had with entitled customers.
“Yes, girl. I used to do the same thing when people would leave me an insulting tip. I’d hand it right back to them and tell them to keep it,” a server wrote.
“I had someone try to leave me .30 and got upset when I said I don’t need it because I hit my goal for the day,” a second shared.
BroBible reached out to Wiz via TikTok direct message and to Longhorn Steakhouse via email for further comment.