Via iStockphoto / @jlkelson78 TikTok
A server says she was insulted after getting less than a quarter as a tip. Is that worse than just not tipping at all?
Americans are getting sick of tipping.
That’s not just a vibe—there’s actually data to support it. A 2025 Bankrate survey found that 63% of Americans held at least one negative view about tipping. That same survey found that 41% of respondents believe that “tipping culture has gotten out of control,” and about the same proportion think that employers should just pay their workers more instead of having them rely on tips.
This fatigue comes from a few different sources. First, it feels like more places are asking for tips than ever. Second, those expected tips seem to be pretty high. These days, it’s not uncommon to see 30% tips as a suggested option—with the “no tip” button impossible to find.
But no matter how frustrated people are by tipping, one thing that most Americans agree on is that you should always tip your server. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that 81% of respondents always tip their restaurant servers, with another 11% claiming they do it “often” but not always.
While tipping is always appreciated, servers say that tipping can sometimes be worse than not tipping. Here’s how.
What’s Wrong With This Tip?
In a video with over 72,000 views, server and TikTok user Jenn Kelson (@jlkelson78) vents her frustration about a tip she recently received.
The video shows a tablet, upon which is a notice reading that the customer has $0.13 left to pay. A quarter rests in front of the tablet.
“Thank you for your generosity, it was a pleasure serving you,” Kelson sarcastically remarks in the video’s overlay text. “I promise to give you the service this tip deserves next time.”
In the caption, she elaborates on the tip, writing, “$75 bill, paid all but .13 with a credit card, this is how the remaining was left on the table, and the change was my tip.”
“As a long time server I will remember ur face and will adjust my service accordingly,” she adds.
How Much Are You Supposed To Tip These Days?
Most viewers can agree that a $0.22 tip is pretty insulting—especially on a $75 bill. But if the customers were to tip appropriately, how much should they pay?
The thing is, no one seem to agree. The old standard used to be 15% to 20%; now, many say that those numbers are much too small.
In general, experts tend to agree that a standard tip for a server is around 20%. This can vary considerably. For example, if you have a large group and a particularly attentive server, you may want to tip more. If you are placing an order via a kiosk and only interacting with a server when they bring you your meal, you may feel inclined to tip less.
Still, it’s recommended to tip a minimum of 18% of the pretax bill at a restaurant, no matter the service situation.
Is A Small Tip Worse Than No Tip?
If you only have pocket change, is it better to leave a tiny tip or just walk out without tipping on the bill?
In a discussion on Reddit’s r/ServerLife, many servers claimed that they were more insulted by small tips like the one in Kelson’s video than not getting a tip at all.
“Change is definitely more offensive to me than no tip,” wrote a user.
“I’ve always found really poor tips, loose change included, to be more insulting for sure,” echoed another.
Others alleged they grew so frustrated with this practice that they found ways to shame the customers who attempted it.
“I remember stories where when servers would see change left on the table, they would run back out to customer in the parking lot and give it back to them and say ‘Hey you left your change!’ loudly and in front of as many people as they could,” shared a commenter. In response, some claimed that they did the same thing.
It’s Not Always Bad
At the end of the day, a small tip is still money in the bank. In a different Reddit thread on the topic, users said that, while they may be insulted by a small tip, they’d rather have extra money than not.
“It’s all money,” reads one comment. “I think most servers have a change jar that they turn into their bank every couple of months.”
“I wouldn’t care,” stated a second. “It all spends the same.”
That said, viewers under Kelson’s video seems to hold the opposite opinion.
“Wayyy more disrespectful than no tip,” declared one highly favorited comment.
BroBible reached out to Kelson via TikTok direct message and comment.