Anyone who has worked in the service industry can tell you how vital tips are to their survival.
But with tipflation causing more businesses to ask for tips than ever before and restaurants engaging in all sorts of trickery to inflate tip amounts, it’s understandable that many Americans are getting sick of tipping.
Some servers aren’t happy about the arrangement, either. Recently, one server showed the “petty” move she makes when people undertip. Why are viewers so mad about it?
What Did This Server Do To Protest A Low Tip?
In a video with over 1.2 million views, TikTok user @drewberrylesss shows herself processing a customer’s bill.
“Pettiest thing you do as someone who works in food and Bev?” she writes in the text overlaying the video. “I’ll go first.”
Looking at the customer’s receipt, one can see that they have tipped $14.18 on a bill of $120.82. This brings the customer’s total to an even $135. However, it also means that the customer tipped just 11.7% on their bill.
In response, the TikToker punches the total into her POS system. For the tip, she puts $14.17—turning the total into an uneven $134.99.
“No cause you’re gonna under tip me and expect me to keep the numbers in your bank account even?” she writes in the caption. “You obvi need that last cent more than I do.”
How Much Are You Supposed To Tip?
In the comments section, some users questioned whether the customer really did “under tip” the TikToker.
While tipping is technically optional in the United States, tipped wages are often substantially lower than non-tipped wages. The federal tipped minimum wage is just $2.13, while some states have non-tipped minimum wages of over $16.
Consequently, it’s considered common courtesy in the United States to tip. Most experts advise that tipping 20% is standard at a restaurant. That said, one can tip more for exceptional service or between 10 and 15% for poor service. Additionally, tipping for drinks at a bar or for other service jobs is a little more complicated.
Just because this system exists, that doesn’t mean that Americans actually like to tip. A recent Bankrate survey found that most Americans hold at least one negative opinion about tipping. For example, many say that businesses should simply pay their employees more rather than rely on tips.
Is This Illegal?
Other commenters were quick to allege that what the TikToker did was illegal.
So, was it? It’s possible, though it’s unlikely that the server will face any real consequences.
Technically speaking, the customer has several routes for recourse if they really want to give their server an additional cent. For example, they can dispute the transaction with their credit card. Both Visa and the FTC acknowledge that altered totals are a valid reason to dispute a transaction.
They can also simply try to resolve the issue with the restaurant. This can result in the bill being changed, the customer receiving a refund, or another solution that meets the customer’s requests. In instances where servers changed the tips to charge more, some internet users claimed they found success fixing the issue by contacting the location.
@drewberrylesss No cause you’re gonna under tip me and expect me to keep the numbers in your bank account even? You obvi need that last cent more than I do #foodandbeverage #foodandbeverageservice
♬ Fire the Cannons (1812 Overture) – Jochen Flach & Peter Ilych Tchaikvsky & Thomas Hewitt Jones
Commenters Are Divided
In the comments section, some users chided the TikToker for this admittedly petty move.
“Hey do you do realize this is your job and the way you treat the customers is how you get paid a good tip,” wrote a user.
“Hey, so there’s no such thing as ‘under tipping’ – you tip based on service received, not the price of your food. Hope this helps,” said another.
That said, others countered that it was an under tip—and even if the TikToker shouldn’t have done this, it’s not necessarily a big deal.
“Why is everyone pressed,” questioned a user. “I thought this was hilarious, it’s A PENNY, chances are they won’t even notice/care that it’s off by .01, i love this mild pettiness queen keep it up.”
“The people in the comments clearly have never served a day in their lives omg,” stated a second.
BroBible reached out to @drewberrylesss via TikTok direct message and comment.