From active calls to reduce tipping percentages to people advocating for better wages for servers, many in the U.S. are aware that the hospitality industry is changing. One family at Olive Garden gave a tip that they thought was industry standard, only to leave questioning whether they had the facts right.
The family went to Olive Garden for a meal that resulted in a $113 bill. Then their server profusely thanked them for their 20% tip, leaving them confused.
Jenny (@imjennyfromtheshop) says she received a number of “thank yous” and appreciative words from her server, who was working at an Olive Garden in North Richland Hills, Texas. She explains in a video with more than 313,000 views that the interaction left her wondering, “What’s everyone’s normal tip percentage at restaurants right now?”
Why Was The Olive Garden Worker So Happy About The Tip?
Jenny says that she and her family went to Olive Garden for a quick dinner. In total, they ordered an appetizer and a dinner for each family member.
When they received the bill, it was more than $100. Jenny says she tipped 20% on a tablet.
“That is what I’ve always done unless the service is just, like, abnormally horrible, like, they didn’t care anything about us, they never came over,” Jenny says. “Like, that’s… I really can’t even remember a time that that has been the case. But I tip 20% on the bottom line, sign the check.”
Jenny says she thought this was normal. But the server came up to her family and personally thanked her for the tip. Later, while the content creator’s children were eating dessert, she says the server came back and asked if they wanted any drinks to go. After asking, she says he thanked them again for the tip.
Around five minutes later, the server came back again, she continues. She says he showed the family a picture of his daughter and told them that their tip was going to her.
Afterward, Jenny reflected on the situation.
“We’re walking to our car, and I’m talking to my husband, and I’m like, ‘Do people not tip 20% anymore?’” she recalls questioning.
What’s Today’s Tipping Standard?
Jenny’s inclination to tip 20% as a baseline is on the upper end of the hospitality industry’s tipping standard, according to TipWhiz. Publications such as Bankrate have previously recommended tipping at least 18%. Tipping slightly more is complimentary for great service, whereas tipping closer to 15% is customary, even when service is not up to par, according to USA Today.
Many people have argued that 20% is the correct tip at most restaurants and is the new industry standard.
Viewers in the comment section of Jenny’s post gave their own tipping recommendations to the content creator.
“I’m a server and I’d say on average my tips are between 20-24%. As a person I tip based off service,” one viewer said.
Another viewer, however, took an opposing position.
“Tipping is optional always has been and will be,” they said.
Olive Garden Servers Weigh In
Many current and former Olive Garden server shared what their tips are usually like.
“As an olive garden server it is very rare that our guests tip 20% and it really sucks because we have endless refills that people take advantage of and don’t tip well,” one viewer said. “Someone today tipped me a $25 gift card and they tipped $20 on card too i had to go make sure they meant to do that lol.”
Another commenter even said they quit working at Olive Garden because they didn’t receive enough tips on large orders.
“I quit the Olive Garden a couple weeks ago bc people just don’t tip. I always got 22% on average but when people only get water and soup and salad their bill is like $22, so I get like a $4-5 tip,” they said. “For all the running around you do at Olive Garden it’s just not worth it. Also, your only allowed 3 tables max. So, my night shifts would average to about 40-50 bucks for 6 hours.”
@imjennyfromtheshop Okay but I need to know… what’s everyone’s normal tip percentage at restaurants right now? 👀🍽️ Between restaurant prices going up, fast casual checkout screens asking for tips, and everyone having different opinions on tipping culture… I feel like this conversation gets HEATED fast 😂 Are you a strict 20% tipper no matter what? Do you tip based on service? Do you tip at coffee shops and takeout too? I need honest answers because apparently everyone does this differently. Drop your restaurant tipping rules below 👇 #tippingculture #restauranttalk #serverlife #restauranttips #creatorsearchinsights
BroBible reached out to Jenny via TikTok direct message, as well as Olive Garden via email for more information.