Restaurant worker sparks debate: “If you can’t tip 20%, don’t eat out”

Controversial take fuels online arguments over tipping culture and affordability of dining out.

A TikTok user has sparked heated discussion online after calling out restaurant customers who dine out without leaving tips. The video, which has garnered over 10,000 views, emphasizes the role of tipping in supporting servers’ livelihoods.

In the U.S., tipping is a widely accepted practice, but it has also become a divisive topic. A standard tip of 15-20% is often expected, and anything below 20% can be seen as insufficient. Critics argue that tipping shifts the burden of fair wages onto customers, while supporters see it as a way to reward good service.

Lillie, a restaurant worker known as @mylasoasis_ on TikTok, joined the conversation with a strong stance. In her video, she stated, “Eating out is a privilege, not a right. If you cannot afford to tip 20%, you can’t afford to eat out.”

Lillie shed light on the financial struggles faced by servers in the U.S., where tipped workers often earn as little as $2.13 to $3.63 per hour, relying heavily on customer gratuities to make ends meet. She explained that restaurant menu prices are designed with tipping in mind, suggesting that if customers opt out of tipping, they undermine the system.

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“The food is priced lower because you are expected to leave a tip on it,” she said. “If you cannot afford to tip, then you don’t deserve to dine out.”

Drawing a comparison, Lillie likened the situation to hiring a nanny. “If you can’t afford to pay someone a full salary, you don’t deserve a nanny. It’s the same thing.”

Lillie’s video stirred passionate reactions, with viewers expressing both agreement and criticism.

Some users resonated with Lillie’s frustrations. One commenter shared their experience of earning $2.13 per hour, noting, “We literally don’t receive paychecks at all.” Another encouraged her message, saying, “SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK.”

Others took issue with her tone or the expectation of tipping, suggesting servers seek jobs with better pay instead. One commenter wrote, “I always tip, but the entitlement is just wild. Find a different job.”

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Some viewers offered nuanced perspectives. While they supported tipping, they didn’t agree with a blanket expectation of 20%, particularly for poor service. “I tip based on service. I always tip 20% or more unless the service was exceptionally bad,” one user noted.

Lillie’s video reignites a broader debate about wage practices in the U.S. While some advocate for better employer pay to eliminate the need for tipping, others emphasize the importance of adapting to the current system. As one commenter put it, “If someone doesn’t tip because they believe the employer should pay fair wages, then they should only support businesses that do so.”

Lillie’s video has sparked a spirited conversation about fairness, entitlement, and cultural norms surrounding tipping. Do you agree with her stance, or do you think the system needs an overhaul? Let us know your thoughts!

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