Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
“I Won’t Be Back”: 93 People Share Their Most Frustrating Tipping Experiences To Date (New Pics)
Americans are entering their tipping fatigue era. Last year, 63% had at least one negative opinion about tipping; in 2026, nine in 10 Americans say that tipping culture has gone too far. Recently, we’ve seen posts from FIFA World Cup fans calling out the ridiculous tipping practices in America, but the truth is that the call has been coming from inside the house for a long time.
Since 2015, there’s been a community on Reddit called r/EndTipping that advocates for a system in which service workers don’t have to rely on customers for their salaries. Here is a list of the newest posts from their group, filled with new dystopian developments like tipping for a sonogram and suggestions to tip 99%, as well as some positive ones where business owners have realized that paying a livable wage should be the norm, not the exception.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Was Extremely Surprised When I Saw This At A Coffee Shop
RELATED:
#3
Restaurant Owner. My Take On Tipping
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 14 hours ago
Tipping is a choice, for exceptional service, it should not be expected.
#4
Helping The Cause
#5
Seen In Nw Arkansas
#6
Ice Cream Shop’s Take On Tipping
#7
Local Pizza Joint Does It Right!
#8
I Tipped $20 Cash
I tipped $20 cash on a $85 mani/pedi. As I was handing her the $20 bill, she told me she prefers Venmo (but still took the cash). As I’m walking out, she forces me to scan her Venmo QR code. I obviously don’t want to tip again so I just walk out. She looks my reservation up in the system, and finds my number to remind me to Venmo her… unprofessional and I won’t be back.
#9
Seems About Right
#10
Push The Red Button
This week I learned that when these point of sale systems prompt for a seemingly unskippable tip percentage, the red button skips the tip, and the transaction finishes. I had previously thought it might cancel the transaction, but it does not.
That is all.
#11
This Lady Is My Hero. Always Remove Auto Tip When You're On A Cruise!
#12
I Pay A Subscription For Dog Grooming. They Asked Me For A Tip And Then Messaged Me For A Rating
Fire Singer 1 hour ago
I have to ask, my dog groomer charges a 3% fee for credit and debit cards (it's technically not legal to do that for debit cards as they are to be treated as cash - I've looked into this and it's actually a law at least in my city), so because she does do a lot of work, the cost of the cut - comes with all the trimmings like ear cleaning, teeth cleaning, nail clip, is $85.00. Seems reasonable, so I usually give a $15.00 tip for a round $100.00, right? Well if I use a card, my debit card, I deduct that 3% from the tip. Is that an AH move on my part? I feel like a card reader is something common for business and that cost of that should not be put onto the customer. Or they should just raise their prices.
#13
Always Grab The Customer Receipt Copy!!
Be sure to always grab the customer receipt copy, waiter decided to give himself a $180 tip on a $93 dollar meal. Took a month of bouncing around corporate (major hotel chain) to fix this. Conveniently they “lost” the restaurant copy too.
Finally found the hotel general manager on LinkedIn and threatened to press charges, they quickly refunded the meal.
#14
No Tip At Restaurant Is Making Me Ditch Old Favorite
Debby Keir 4 hours ago
In the UK (OK, everyone knows we don't HAVE to tip) but we usually pay by card with no tip, and leave the tip in cash on the table. This prevents the manager or head heijin, from taking the tip and ensures the server that you wanted to tip, actually gets it.
#15
As A Doordash Driver - Please Don't Tip
#16
Tipping 20% Wasn’t Good Enough
Firstname Lastname 10 hours ago
I would have felt the urge to take my dollar back out of the jar.
#17
"Your Card Isn't Processing"
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 14 hours ago
Isn't this illegal? Adding tips without consent? Sackable offence.
#18
Finally Done With This- The One That Pushed Me Over The Edge
#20
Server Posted "Was Wondering Why I Got Stiffed"
#21
I Finally Found One On Threads
#22
I Have Enough Friends
#23
Charged A “Quiet Time Surcharge” Because The Restaurant Wasn’t Busy
KatSaidThat 8 hours ago
That's how you get even quieter with my very public review about "quiet time surcharge" as a warning to others.
#24
I’m Just Done
Fire Singer 43 minutes ago
Sounds like you went to the new pizza place I tried too! Nearly same thing. Only one size pizza, over priced, still wanted a tip for carry-out, and maybe it was the bitterness I already felt but the pizza wasn't even very good. :(
#25
I Had The Weirdest Interaction At A Restaurant Today
#27
This Person Told The Server To “Round Up To $70.00” And The Employee Used A Discount To Increase Their Tip
Earthquake903 9 hours ago
They'd probably get fired if you reported that. It's theft. From the restaurant.
#28
Tip Expected For Prenatal Sonogram?
#29
15% Wasn’t Good Enough, Apparently
This waitress was friendly, decent enough service. Left our waters empty for a while, so overall fine, nothing excellent (though really enjoyed the food). But the absolute audacity to scratch out the 15% like it wouldn’t be good enough for her. I was not the one footing this bill, or else I would’ve given a big fat zero for this alone. The entitlement is infuriating, and just another reminder of how screwed up the whole system is. We have got to end this nonsense, I’m so sick of dining out.
john doe 5 hours ago
I worked for tips for over a decade between about 2008 and 2018. Back then 15% was good you would be happy with that, 10% was kind of the bare minimum. 20% was rare and special. I don't know what changed but I stopped tipping on things that aren't traditionaly tipped jobs. (servers and delivery drivers)
#30
Oh Yes, I’d Absolutely Love To Tip You 99% (After Tax, For Good Measure)
#31
Coworker Ran Off One Of Our Regulars Because They Were Rude About Them Not Tipping
KatSaidThat 7 hours ago
I really want an update on this. Hope the homie who decided to be rude and lie about his custom did indeed get fired.
#32
"I Need Change For A $100 Bill But Make Sure It's A $20 And A $10 So He Has To Leave The 20"
#33
Miscommunication Or Intentional Theft?
Was dining at the Cheese Cake Factory and had a $114 bill with 3 guest. My friend gave me $60 cash so the intention of paying $40 cash and leaving them a $20 tip. The waitress grabbed the check, charged the full amount to the card and kept the $60 as her tip. She Came back and said “thank you have a good day”
When confronted she acted a bit confused and tried to skirt the situation. So I asked for my change back, And left her no tip. Still felt a little bad about leaving nothing, but felt she was trying to take advantage of us since she never came back to confirm.
I get irritated when a server assumes all the change is for them when it’s over 50%. Yes I do want my $12 back for my $8 beer.
EDIT:
- This seems like quite a controversial topic, I read some of the replies and a lot of the questions ask "Why did you not explain the payment situation to the server?" The server was busy and took about 15 minutes to collect the check with the card and $60 cash. In that time we got engrossed in our conversation and I did not realize she picked it up. Normally I would explain how I wanted the payment to go, as I always try to tip in cash when possible, but instead just got the notification on my phone the full amount was charged.
- Another common question is "why did I not pocket the $40?" I like to use cash before putting anything on my credit card when possible, makes sense to just reduce your credit card bill.
- Some other comments mentioned some servers do get great tips, and I agree. I have left 100% tips before because I had a great time when the server. Normally its it's a $20 on $20. But I think assuming a 53% tip was a bit bold.
- I know some servers that make over $100k a year in high end restaurants and some are making less than minimum wage. So it can go both ways, and I think that's the case with any job you put effort into. I'm in the mindset of paying for the service when there is a service, and paying extra when it's a great service.
#35
It's Finally Happened. Im Tired Of The Entitled Doordashers
Placed a doordash order, usually I either tip out in cash or after the order has been delivered since Ive been burned so many times before. As soon as the dasher accepted the order, he proceeded to bombard me with these messages. He then proceeds to pick up the order, not deliver it and marked it as undeliverable. Doordash then proceeds to tell me that they can't offer a refund because it wasn't the dasher fault they couldn't deliver.
Touhou Youyoumu 5 hours ago (edited)
Dispute the charges through your bank or PayPal. Will get the money back, as it's non delivery of goods you have paid for.
#36
No Tip Orders Are Getting Cold…
Wingstop no tip orders not getting picked up.
#37
Worker Tipped Himself $10 After We Gave Cash
#38
Airport Transfer In Cancun. Tipped Driver $1 USD. He Declined And Gave It Back. The Sign Suggests $20 LOL
#39
Tip Fee…
#40
You Servers "Win". I Can't Afford The Meal Now At All So I Don't Go Out To Eat
Science Nerd 12 hours ago
Once you drop the takeout food, you might be surprised at what you can afford to cook at home. Filet Mignon with loaded baked potatoes and salad for two costs about the same as two delivered pizzas.
#41
Went Out To Eat With A Friend And Saw A New Strategy I’m Going To Start Using
Michael Largey 2 hours ago
If your costs have gone up 10%, raise your prices to reflect that and say so on the menu. (You don't need to raise the prices a full 10%, since a price reflects both costs and profit.)
#42
Another Reason To End Tipping
Elisabeth Smith 1 hour ago
When I worked front of the house, my hourly wage was $2.10 per hour. We relied on tips to even get to minimum wage.
#43
Paid At A Food Truck With Cash To Avoid Getting “Tip Guilted” On A Card Payment. They Still Got Me With A 3.99% “Card Fee” Even Though I Paid With Cash!
#44
This Math Doesn’t Add Up
#45
Shady Situation At Starbucks
#46
Energy Fee?
#48
40% Auto-Selected, I Kid You Not
#49
Giving A 20% Tip And Getting A Snarky Response From Waitstaff
#50
Is This Our Problem?
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 13 hours ago
Sounds like the business is the problem, not the customers.
#51
How Is It Not A Tip?
2bwhctmvgn 5 hours ago
It is a tip. Large parties frequently fail to tip, so many restaurants will automatically add a tip directly to the bill. S***s if you felt like you didn't want to leave a tip, but if you wanted to tip, you shouldn't feel like you need to add more.
#53
Drink From The Water Fountain? Did You Tip?
Michael Largey 2 hours ago
Yes. I have to tip my head back if I want to drink the water from the bottle.
#56
Waffle House To Go Fee
Problematic Pangolin 1 hour ago
So the answer is to dine in at the bar and ask for a doggy bag.
#58
Can't Believe I Was Just Asked For A Tip By A French Waiter
Rick Murray 14 hours ago
That sounds like a scam aimed at clueless foreigners. If staff doesn't get anything from the bill, would they care to explain the legal "service compris" which is, uh, exactly that?
#59
Pay Me Extra Money First Or Else I'll Ruin Your Food
#60
When You See It
LakotaWolf (she/her) 10 hours ago
Guest count: 2 people. But "Large party" fee of 20% was still added.
#61
Went To A New Restaurant Last Night. Didnt Notice Anything On The Menu But Regardless I Wont Be Back
Michael Largey 1 hour ago
No, it's to subsidize the restaurant owner, who should be paying it.
#62
Always Read All The Original Receipt!
#63
I Think Kids Are Being Tricked Into Tipping At A Snow Cone Truck At School
Science Nerd 12 hours ago
Yes, this needs to be brought up with both the school principal and probably publicly at a school board meeting. And this would be a refreshing change from most issues that are taking up unnecessary time at school board meetings.
#65
This Is So Totally Ridiculous
#66
Just Now On The News LOL!
Michael Largey 2 hours ago
We keep hearing this phrase - tipping "culture". Since when did a cheap employer wage scam merit the word culture?
#67
Employers Blame Everyone But Themselves
#68
Owner Publicly Shames Guest And States That Servers Have To Pay Out Of Pocket If They Don’t Get Tips?
#69
It’s Not A Tip; It’s A Bribe!
#70
Science Nerd 12 hours ago
You are right. We cannot afford to order anymore. A new business model may be necessary if you wish to continue operating.
#71
18% Gratuity At Buffet. No Service
#73
Tipping On Top Of Corkage Fee
#76
Amazon Prime Delivery Asking For Tips
#77
This Is Not My Check But It Has To Be Posted Here
Lukas (fuck/transphobes) 10 hours ago (edited)
This tip was for five servers who served 75 high schoolers and their chaperones at an Olive Garden, which does not charge auto gratuity. They tipped five dollars per server, after arriving late. Olive Garden servers make on average seven dollars an hour, but may make as little as three. They deserved more for their work. Hell, even if they were paid a living wage, a big party like that, they deserved extra.
#78
Last Time We’ll Ever Go Here…
#79
Tipping Is Getting Outrageous
#82
This Is A First For Me
#83
Large Party, Count 2
#84
Op So Brainwashed He Tips 25% After Being Served Moldy Bread
#85
This Rubbed Me The Wrong Way
#86
Outrageous Tip Expectation
Poppy 9 hours ago
I used to work on Home Shopping in a well known UK supermarket. We did 6 different orders at a time and yes, the carts were brutal to push around fully laden (which is why I left, I hurt my back) but I was paid a proper wage and never even thought of getting a tip. We might have been given a box of chocolates for the whole department at xmas by a regular customer but that was really rare.
#88
Auto 18% Added To Bills Of $150 Or More With A Snarky Gaslighting Comment
#91
Server Was Mad For Leaving A Cash Tip
#92
Picked Up My Own Food And Got Hit With The "Intentional Delay" For Not Tipping
#93
It's Just A Dollar Or Two! LOL
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Cee Cee 12 hours ago
It's getting worse. UK doesn't have a tipping culture like America thankfully. However I came across this in June. Online purchase for a phone charger and cable. Get to make payment and the cheeky so and so's wanted a tip. They didn't get one which maybe why items never arrived and I had to do a charge back with my bank. Unbelievable.
Annik Perrot 11 hours ago
A tip in French is called a "pourboire". Literally "for drinking". 😁
Roman Arendt 10 hours ago (edited)
"Trinkgeld" (drink money) in German, so the same meaning. 🙂
Load More Replies... Cee Cee 12 hours ago
It's getting worse. UK doesn't have a tipping culture like America thankfully. However I came across this in June. Online purchase for a phone charger and cable. Get to make payment and the cheeky so and so's wanted a tip. They didn't get one which maybe why items never arrived and I had to do a charge back with my bank. Unbelievable.
Annik Perrot 11 hours ago
A tip in French is called a "pourboire". Literally "for drinking". 😁
Roman Arendt 10 hours ago (edited)
"Trinkgeld" (drink money) in German, so the same meaning. 🙂
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
