A Los Angeles steakhouse guest walked toward the entrance of the restaurant and saw a bizarre confrontation between a couple and a server over not tipping. The incident sparked a debate about tipping etiquette and whether servers should say something if they get stiffed.
In a video with over 11,000 views, Instagram user Jay (@jaywiththewaves) recounts the interaction from the day before in front of the “expensive” unnamed steakhouse. He notes that he left something in his car and saw the server and couple blocking the doorway on his way out.
“I’m listening, and the waiter says, ‘Is there a reason you didn’t leave a tip?'” he says. “The dude, he looks at her, and he’s like, ‘No.'”
He says the server continued to press the couple on whether the service was bad. However, the man insisted that nothing was wrong. He simply didn’t want to leave a tip.
The couple walked off, and Jay overheard them question why the server stopped them.
“Why wouldn’t she stop you at the door like that?” Jay questions. “Do people go to expensive restaurants and not leave a tip?”
The video was eventually reshared on another TikTok account, where it amassed an additional 705,000 views.
Should Servers Confront Guests For Not Tipping?
Restaurant servers make nearly all their money off tips alone, as their hourly wage typically falls well below the standard federal minimum. So, it can be a major issue for servers, who are also expected to tip out the rest of the staff, when a table doesn’t leave a tip.
However, servers on the r/TrueUnpopularOpinion subreddit insist that those who confront guests risk looking unprofessional.
“Yeah it’s just not professional. Got no respect for that confronting behavior. But it is funny,” one server commented. “Saw it happen once and I couldn’t stop giggling. Stiffer got his lame ass called out in front of everyone. Server looked like an idiot in front of everyone.”
Another remarked, “Getting stiffed on the tip sometimes is part of the system. If you’re making a good living, let it go. If not, find another restaurant.”
Viewers Have Split Opinions
In the comments of the Instagram Reel, viewers debated whether the steakhouse server or the non-tipping guests were in the wrong. Some defend the couple for choosing not to tip.
“Tipping is OPTIONAL,” one commented with a shrugging emoji.
“I don’t agree with chasing someone out the door for a tip. It feels forceful & uncomfortable for the customer,” another wrote.
However, others said they understand why the server decided to confront them.
“If a customer leaves me nothing after I served them then i do want to know why and i will ask. not to berate you but to know what I can improve on for my own sake,” a server explained.
In a follow-up video, Jay says reading the comments changed his opinion.
“Getting stopped for not leaving a tip at a steakhouse actually is kind of crazy,” he says. “I guess initially I didn’t think it was crazy because of my communication style. I’m an open communicator.”
Instead of confronting the guests at the door, he suggests that the server should have asked the couple about the service discreetly at their table.
“I think tipping is more of an employer issue. I honestly just think [servers] should get paid enough,” he says at the end of the clip.
BroBible reached out to Jay via email and Instagram direct message for further comment. We will update the story when he replies.