Woman Voices Her Frustrations Over Europeans Failing To Tip Properly, Faces Backlash Online
When traveling and visiting other cultures, it’s important to know its customs so that you don’t make an accidental faux pas at the worst time possible. One of those moments could be, for example, at a restaurant.
When it comes to food, there are a lot of things one can get wrong. There are cultures that appreciate when you slurp and make other eating noises, while others consider it very bad manners. In some places, you must pretty much lick the plate clean to show appreciation, while in others, you have to leave some food in the plate to indicate that you are full. All of this to say that there are a lot of contradictory rules out there.
Tipping also falls into this category. In China, it’s an insult, in Europe, it’s a bonus, and, in the US, it’s a must. Confuse those and you will be in a tricky situation.
That is what happened in this story. A European in the US made an American faux pas, outrage was sparked, TikToks were made, and now we’re here. Scroll down to see the story for yourself.
Tipping is quite a complicated issue in the US, and this TikToker started an interesting online discussion about it
Image credits: Titouan Henry (not the actual photo)
“For the longest time, Europeans have been preaching, ‘When you come to Europe, you have to abide by our social norms and our ‘this’ and our ‘that'”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“But when you come to America, you’re crying and whining about a $52 tip? Babe, if you’re broke, just say it. This is a $288 bill. If you have enough to be spending this much at a restaurant, then you can tip $52.”
“‘Oh, you just took my order, brought the food to me, and cleaned up the food, and you’re just doing your simple job'”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“More times than not, servers are doing way more than just taking your order and bringing your food to you. At most restaurants, if there’s a salad included with a meal, the server is the one making that. Sometimes it could be a host or something like that. But it’s not always the kitchen doing everything.”
“All servers have to tip out everyone in the restaurant – the cooks, the bartender”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“Sometimes the hostess and the bussers. If you tipped this person $20, they would probably be getting maybe $5 of that $20. And this makes me so mad because being a server sucks. It sucks. You have to deal with rude Americans, let alone the Europeans that are coming in with this huge attitude and this huge ego.”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“I worked in a fancy sushi restaurant and I’m not even joking. The servers never wanted to serve any of the Europeans”
“Because 1, they knew they wouldn’t tip, and 2, they were genuinely super rude. Then she goes on to say, ‘You guys should fight for better wages and all this [stuff].’ Girl, have you been to America? We’ve been fighting for how many things that have not been changed. We just… like, what?”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“And I saw people in the comments being like: ‘No, most servers prefer this system with the tipping system. Yeah, to get paid $4.30 and have to hope that someone tips you. You let the government brainwash you into thinking this is okay. Every American knows that our government system is [messed] up. So truly, if you think you can do it and get our government to listen to us, please be my guest.”
“It’s the fact that a lot of Europeans let a couple of interactions or a couple of people dictate how all Americans are”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
“Just say you don’t [care] about other people and move on. If I can’t pay for a tip, then I’m not going out to eat”
“And I always take at least 20%. That’s the norm here. And if you don’t want to follow it, then don’t come to America.”
Image credits: dennisethemenace
Watch the whole video and see if you agree
@dennisethemenaceIt wont let me tag her but im tired of the european pick mes speaking on things they have no real knowledge about. Americans live rent free in their head.♬ original sound – Duh Niece (she/her)
The US does have a problem with tipping culture that’s getting out of hand
Back in the 1950’s, 10% was a common tip. In the ’70s, this grew to 15%. Nowadays, tipping anything below 20% signifies that the service was subpar. How did we get here?
Experts say that the pandemic had a lot to do with it. Tips for service workers increased as a way to show extra gratitude and to compensate for the lack of business. From then on, the gratuity for the in-restaurant service did not go down.
In fact, the opposite happened. Many more places such as coffee shops, bakeries, and even mechanics now propose an option to leave a tip. This, mind you, is for workers that do get full wages. On top of that, instead of suggesting you add something on top for great service, many ask you to leave something or completely opt out of the tip. This makes it less of an addition and more of a requirement. No wonder many are getting outraged.
Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)
Foreigners deciding not to tip service workers is not how you make a change
Still, when visiting the US, remember that your server is living on a wage that is way below the minimum. They do need those tips to pay the bills, so opting out as a way to protest against the insanity of it all is not a great solution.
So, do you just give in, pay the tip that’s necessary, and see the tips rise to 25, 30, 35 percent or more? Well, unless you are willing to unionize people and talk to the local government, maybe that is your only option. Just pay your bill, leave the tip, and hope that enough people will get outraged to make a change. Maybe complain about it online. But do not punish a fellow worker over the government’s mistakes.
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
The comments on the TikTok platform have been disabled, but the video got a range of different reactions elsewhere on the internet
I understand the frustration, but your issue isn't with European tourists, it's with your employer not paying you a living wage. And I get why it's easier to blame Europeans for their lack of tipping (neutral voice, because it is), it's unfair to put the blame towards the customer while the issue lies much deeper than not being tipped. That said, I also feel that European tourist could be more considerate the fact that waiting tables is the job that it is, and refusing to tip because of the underlying issue does no good for your server of the evening.
uhm. Europeans do tip. Its very comon, esp in restaurants (yeah, not everywhere, not everyone, i know) Dont act as if Europeans dont tip. Its just that our tipping culture isnt as fukced up as the USA one.
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It's not Europeans' fault or problem that she isn't paid enough but I also think if you are visiting the country you could make the effort to get into the spirit of it. Restaurateurs could/should save money by reducing the amount of food on the giant (and probably 50% of the time, largely wasted) plates and use it to pay properly. Plus, it would reduce obesity. Yay!
I was thinking the same. 52 dollars just for someone who's literally doing what they're paid to do is b******t
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scrolled down fast to mention the obvious: its not the customers fault that the employer doesnt want to pay their staff enough. Other than that: not again this topic aaaaaa, and: theres more than the US and EU on the globe.
I don't think percentage makes sense on higher bills, sorry 😅 it takes the same effort for a server to carry 2 glasses of water and 2 plates of $12 pasta, as it does to carry 2 glasses of champagne and 2 plates of $40 steak. If you're eating out for a nice meal and you spend $300, are you really supposed to give the server $60 MINIMUM for 2 hours of work? You're likely not their only table during that time. They get their base rate and tips from other tables too.
You’re absolutely right. She will be serving 5+ tables every 1.5 hours of her shift and is expecting a tip of almost 20% from each of them. If the bill she is using as an example is a normal bill in that restaurant that’s $200 per hour covering 5 tables. Even if she has to share the tips and only gets a quarter of them it’s still $50 per hour on top of her wage
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I don't even understand the principle. If the tip is obligatory (or implicitly obligatory), then it is not a tip. It is the actual price. It's like in supermarkets - what good is a price tag if the taxes are only added up at the checkout. I just want to know what I'm paying beforehand! And if the service in the restaurant was at least good, I'm happy to give a tip! Meanwhile, some delivery apps also offer tip functions that start at 10-20%. And I think to myself: Why does a driver get just as much tip as a service person who serves me for 2 hours with a smile and takes care of me? My parcel delivery man doesn't get a tip either. (Except at Christmas and Easter.) Which service providers get a tip at all and which don't? (I remember a Scrubs episode where Dr C*x sets up a tip jar. :) ) Everyone should get a decent salary. And tipping in general should become superfluous. Or EVERYONE with any customer contact should get some. ;)
I used to work as a waitress so I almost always tip. I do understand workers frustration but it really shouldn't be pushed onto customers. Most countries are struggling with inflation and higher costs of living. Does it mean we should stop travelling and eating out altogether? The economy might not survive that. And I would never leave 50$ as a tip regardless of the bill, hell no, that's just too much!
It's crazy to think that waitresses come to work for a restaurant, but do not get paid by restaurant and have to beg for money from customers. Imagine coming to for example to food shopping centre, buying bread, butter, sausages, milk, apples and toothpaste and at the cashpoint you have to pay 15 dollars tip for your cashier services, because she do not get wages, and cashier has to share those 15 dollars with the shelf socking workers and the cleaning lady, because they are not paid aswell...
I'm living in Grermany, and rarely tip. Mostly, I just round up the final sum. Like, the bill ends anything else than 00, I round up to be 00. For example, by 12,30 euro, I'll pay 13,00 euro. I'll tip, when the service is really good, I mean, the server makes more just bringing out my order and being polite. And tip is 10%, very rare ofa 15%. I followed this, when I was in the US. Guys, I'm a tourist here, I don't care, if you hate me because of this, butI won't pay your wage. That's your employer's responsability.
"my job sucks so you, a customer has to give me money" Is there anything more entitled than an american server? your pay is too low for your work? go to you boss, he is the one that pays you, he is the one that employs you, you were hired by them to do a job, the costumer is not your employer, they don't owe you a paycheck. Saying you are payed to little doesn't mean others have to subsidize you.
What i'd like to know is how she can work in a sushiplace with those nails?!
Only when you grow up you understand how inferior the US is to Europe in any way possible
UK here and I have to say that, when I tip, I tip the server, not the restaurant. I tip the server because I feel that particular server has gone above and beyond to make my dining experience a memorable one. I will also tip the chef if I feel the meal was really special. The money is my way of saying thank you to an individual who has performed a superb job. It is not to go into a general pot so a tightwad food chain can use it towards a small wages hike because they won't pay their employees a living wage!
She is barking at a totally wrong tree and with an attitude and ego a tad more problematic than the group she is ranting about
Finally stop being mad at the customers and start being mad at your employer for being a greedy abusive sucker who refused to pay a living wage
There is nothing stopping your employer paying you a living wage and increasing prices to cover it.
Yeah, we Europeans would be rioting in the streets if someone took away universal health care, union rights, etc. We actually ARE protesting in the streets for these things. And we did very much so in the XIX century, that's why we have some rights left today. So maybe you should be starting doing the same.
I'm not saying she's right or wrong, but what I will say is this: Whenever I visited the states, if my bill showed a "service charge", I would not paying a tip (because I've paid for the service). If it did not show a service charge, I would tip. And I wasn't prepared to sit there and do mathematics, I'm there for a meal, not an exam. Good service got $15 per person at my table, bad got $10. I also don't agree that a tip should be percentage based. Workers in a high end restaurant do not work any harder than small family Bistro server. Why should one get the $100 tip, just because she got lucky in her job search? I get that it's your "Culture", but that doesn't make it right, and until you standardise something one way or the other, you have to expect these kid of issues.
Look here, darling. The minimum wage in my country is 4 USD/h. If I manage to save up enough money to visit the US, I am 100% certain, you will not be getting a single cent more than the European customary 10%. Throw a fit and it's going to be 0. Contrary to popular belief, not every European is wading knees deep in cash, nor is every tourist a multimillionaire. In fact, 60% of the people in my country can't afford a two-week staycation, let alone a trip abroad. And for half of those who can afford a holiday, a trip to the US is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, usually for their honeymoon. It's not my job to fix your economy or subsidise your income. (P.S.: back in 2016 I had a temp job where I worked 7 hours a day and somehow by magic, they were legally allowed to pay me 1 USD/h after taxes. In Europe. Let that sink in.)
In Europe, tips are awarded for effort above and beyond the call of duty. In America, it is a payment in lieu of an employer. We once flew over the Grand Canyon in a tiny Cessna and on the back of the pilot's seat was written that we should tip the pilot $50-75 per person on landing. Mandatory tipping to pilot? What the hell is going on in America????
I always read up on tipping culture in the country im going to visit. In Sweden it is not mandatory but most people do this to show gratitude for the service. My boyfriend is from another cultrure so for him its not often he tips. I usually put money for the waiter instead.
I've been to America quite a few times now. I only ever tip when I get above good service. I went on a uni trip to New York quite a few years ago, service was average. The waitress dropped a whole tray of cokes on one of the lecturers white coats. Obviously dry clean only! That part I blame the lecturer for. However, we weren't going to tip. Waitress literally blocked the door as we went to leave, crying that we hadn't tipped. Lecturer explained "not amazing service and I now have to pay for my coat to be cleaned before I can wear it". We HAD to leave a tip before we could go, the other waitresses and even the owner surrounded us. That was the final straw for me, I decided I would only tip if everything was great and above. I wouldn't be bullied or shamed.
Staff demanding tips is basically just a form of begging. It's being done by beggars who work for someone, but it's still just begging.
Can you understand it’s not normal for europeans to actually pay the waiting staff instead of their own employer ? I try my best to tip when in the US but I need to see the prices before entering a restaurant, estimate what i’d be eating and calculate the real cost, to see if I actually want/can eat there or not Same for taxes added when paying Why can’t american just write the FINAL actual price of everything ???
Honestly.... while I agree that tipping culture in the US could use a lot of change, the idea of "well, the US just needs to change its culture so no one else should have to observe what's expected of everyone when they visit" is a bit insane. You wouldn't say that when visiting any other country. If an American is visiting a European country and doesn't observe their customs, even if locals don't like those customs, people are still annoyed by the American. Why does it not work the other way around?
Wow - this is perfectly designed rage bait that will probably ruin this website eventually. You have 1) A boring tiktok with someone's stupid face shoved into a camera 2) Your constant cr@p-on-America thing which guarantees clicks, and 3) tipping culture, which we're all super sick of hearing about. I'm surprised that as you head more and more up buzzfeed's b-hole, that you aren't removing posts with low or negative votes anymore?
It's not "Europeans' " fault. It's also not the server's fault. It is the restaurant industry's fault. They are granted a loophole to not have to pay the same minimum wage as other employers. It is systemic and totally f****d up. From NerdWallet- "Tipped employees must receive a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, known as a cash wage. That cash wage is combined with tips to reach the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour". Now you may notice that $7.25 per hour (National minimum wage in the US, many states are higher). is absurdly low as well. TL:DR- loophole by restaurant industry to only pay people as low as $2.13/hour (!!!) combined with a low minimum total hourly wage is the cause of the problem. It sucks but you should be aware of it if you are going out to eat in the states. It's not the fault of the server, but the industry at large.
The employer doesn't pay you, so it's the responsibility of the customer? No. It's not. Tips are outrageous. Most of the time, they're just doing their job. They don't need handouts, and if they do or they're not getting paid enough to live, find another f*****g job.
Servers in the US do NOT WANT to have a living wage. Many tests have been done with restaurants paying them 25$ an hour and the servers quit because they make more elsewhere with tips. So stop that nonsense. Also, I'm very sure that the 20% tip was for excellent service. A 10% tip for basic, 15% for good service and 20 was excellent.
US servers do NOT WANT a living wage. They make more in tips. Stop blaming the employers. The servers do not want it. Lots of tests have been done by restaurants. And the norm is NOT 20%. That's what you want. I have been to the US very many times, I've traveled 34 states. Sure, I tip. But I very much remember when the norm was 10% standard, 15% for good service and 20% for excellent service. And don't start on cost of living increase. The bill in the restaurant already incorporated that so the % fluctuates with that.
Yep. Anne is absolutely correct on that one. When menu prices go up-so does the tip, because tipping is based on a % of the bill. Last time I asked, $2.13 was the hourly rate in my area. Did you know, that if servers, don't make enough tips to equal out minimum wage for the hours worked, their employers have to pay them the difference?! And they do NOT want to do that? A lot of them will give a server a " write up", for not claiming enough tips. And sometimes, it's warranted. Sometimes, it's not. When a server gets " stiffed", or no tip- that server still has to " tip out", and pay taxes on that tip. For example, a party of 8 comes in-the bill is $200.00. Let's say gratuity is 15%. That's 30 bucks. 3% goes to your bussboys,and 3% goes to the bartender. Leaves server with $18. If server is stiffed, they still have to pay out % tip out regardless. Because employers make customers pay servers wage, and servers pay bartender & buss boys wage. Corporate 'Merican greed. Period.
Load More Replies... I visited New York some years ago, and I understand that people have to work 80+ hours per week to live in Manhattan but the waiters were so rude! I am sure this is not a good example regarding the rest of the USA though...But they would not look at us, almost threw the drinks on our table, did the least possible to do their job. And then ask for a tip of 20%? No way. If you are too arrogant to communicate with your guests, you only get something because I know it's a culture thing. Luckily this was only the case for dinner/beer in the evening but most people in coffee places and stores were very friendly so than you get your 20% tip :) but as she describes it now, maybe they were so rude because we were European. In some countries the tip is included in the bill and not optional. At least than you know what to expect. You pay for food and the work people put into it.
How much you wanna bet that the second she realizes they're European she turns into an absolute b******e. They're probably not tipping because she's rude & bigoted! Lol c
All servers do NOT have to split their tips. WTF? I know some do. But I've worked in MANY RESTAURANTS & never once did I ever have to split tips. Girl stop.
A $52 tip on top of a $288 bill? Are you f*****g high? My entire life i've overtipped. Delivery people would get $10 on a $20 pizza order, waitstaff would get $10-$20 for a bill less than $30. That was always reasonable to me....it's not reasonable to presume that you, as a server, whose entire job is to write down orders from a limited number of options, and then carry said order, that someone else has prepared, less than 50 feet....for multiple tables at once, deserve a "cut" regardless of the bill total. A table runs up a $300 bill, spends an hour at the table, meaning you've spent MINUTES of that hour interacting with them in any capacity that could be defined as "work" and you think you deserve to make $52 an hour for that? Plus whatever you rake in from the other tables you're "servicing"? Are you f*****g high?!
The point of the video wasn't "is tipping right or wrong". The point of the video is "Europeans expect Americans to go to Europe and respect the culture of the country they are visiting, but refuse the same courtesy when visiting America". And I must say this is a completely valid point.
My main issue with tipping as a European is not tipping itself but that American servers tell you how much you need to tip. Anyone trying to pull that one off in Europe would be out of job.
I wonder how it will go if I went to a restaurant and asked to do the service by myself ^_^ That could be an interesting experience to do... Don't wait my table, I can do it. Preparing salads, whatever ? My of my chef husband can do it... (But, FOR REAL ! That should be done, filmed and broadcasted!)
Decade ago I could agree totally with what everyone is saying but now many servers are making minimum wage or more than me. Would it be rude asking what they make before I tip? Why would I tip someone making more than me?
I used to be a server many years ago for years and made $1.40 an hour. Yes I needed those tips.
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I tip as appropriate but entitled people like to this make me not want to. Restaurants just need to pay wait staff appropriately and stop this nonsense. Yes, I know, prices will go up but ultimately the bill won't so just effing make it easier for your customers and your staff because right now there's a boatload of needless resentment.
I'm european and I do tip servers. At the same time the american way of employers to just force their customers to not only pay the food but their employees, too, is beyond ridiculous.
I don´t really go to restaurants, but I occasionally tip cab or delivery drivers, If I happen to have some cash at Hand. But most I ever gave was maybe 5€.
So... The assistant at the shoe-shop, welcomes you, kneels down in front of you, measures your paws, goes and brings some shoes, sometimes more than a pair, helps you try them on. TIP, TIP, TIP!!! The assistant at the electronics shop, who can answer all your stupid questions about the new xyz TV set, and the one next to it, and the other behind it, and who spends an hour helping you decide... TIP, TIP, TIP. Generally... Anybody who works anywhere and comes into contact with a customer, TIP TIP, TIP. Is it a joke? If not, it is so distorted, I feel sorry for the people who defend the practice!
I live in a developing country. Even here the restaurant staff gets paid decently. No tipping culture. People tip if they feel like. Some restaurants levy 20% service charge but it's not mandatory, the customer can ask to remove it.
So... she's advocating the the destruction of the entire hospitality economy by excluding much of the developed world from visiting. Hmmm. Me thinks she'll be out of a job faster than she can blink of all of Europe cease tourist activity in the states. Good luck with that!
As a server in one of the worse U.S. States, I have had many tables that I paid to serve. Here's how it works. I have a base pay of $2.17/hour. When your table orders drinks, I have to tip that bartender a fixed percentage on those alcohol sales, regardless of whether you tip me in the end or not. So when you "protest" or refuse to participate in this dumb system or just don't care, I often have to pay out of my own pocket to provide you with that service.
TFW just about everyone in the Reddit comments, and these comments, does exactly what she's complaining about.
Typical restaurant bill in SA at the moment is about ZAR 600 or USD 30. Tip would be 10% or ZAR 60 (USD 3.). Ask for a living wage.
You'll get a tip if you deserve it. I think the only time I tipped low in the US was a Hooters in Vegas, our server was a snotty entitled b***h who came to the table twice, once to take the order, once to deliver the food and bring the bill which had 25% tip circled, she got 10% in loose change.
American's in general are underpaid by their employers and rely on customers to tip servers to make up for a lack of pay. Come to a country where tipping is not enforced and all employees received a guaranteed minimum wage that is legislated.
The last time I went to a restaurant I ordered a steak, a side of green beans, and sauce to go on my chips. It was plonked in front of me at different times over 20 minutes. When the bill came the server reminded me service wasn't included. I loudly stated " no kidding", to filthy looks from other customers. Seriously, why would i pay extra for that?
Load More Replies... I did my best, but I cannot forget the fact that I booked tours with four companies and only ONE of them deigned to actually tell me that they were paying a tipped wage. Fortunately that company told me during the booking stage, before I went on any of the tours. If you want to pick fights with “Europeans” (I’m Australasian) at least do your part.
Saying, "The restaurants should just pay their employees a living wage and not leave it up to the customer," is fine and dandy. We're working on that, despite fierce lobbying by the National Restaurant Association. But the fact is that restaurants like this system because it keeps menu prices lower to attract YOU. So, yes, just like tax should be included in the price listed, the same goes for that living wage money. So, until we can get this straightened out legally, can you please just take it as understood that that 20% is an implied cost of your meal when dining out? Refusing to tip is not a bold way to protest a broken system, it is you taking advantage of that system at the expense of ordinary working people.
I understand the frustration, but your issue isn't with European tourists, it's with your employer not paying you a living wage. And I get why it's easier to blame Europeans for their lack of tipping (neutral voice, because it is), it's unfair to put the blame towards the customer while the issue lies much deeper than not being tipped. That said, I also feel that European tourist could be more considerate the fact that waiting tables is the job that it is, and refusing to tip because of the underlying issue does no good for your server of the evening.
uhm. Europeans do tip. Its very comon, esp in restaurants (yeah, not everywhere, not everyone, i know) Dont act as if Europeans dont tip. Its just that our tipping culture isnt as fukced up as the USA one.
Load More Replies... It's not Europeans' fault or problem that she isn't paid enough but I also think if you are visiting the country you could make the effort to get into the spirit of it. Restaurateurs could/should save money by reducing the amount of food on the giant (and probably 50% of the time, largely wasted) plates and use it to pay properly. Plus, it would reduce obesity. Yay!
I was thinking the same. 52 dollars just for someone who's literally doing what they're paid to do is b******t
Load More Replies... scrolled down fast to mention the obvious: its not the customers fault that the employer doesnt want to pay their staff enough. Other than that: not again this topic aaaaaa, and: theres more than the US and EU on the globe.
I don't think percentage makes sense on higher bills, sorry 😅 it takes the same effort for a server to carry 2 glasses of water and 2 plates of $12 pasta, as it does to carry 2 glasses of champagne and 2 plates of $40 steak. If you're eating out for a nice meal and you spend $300, are you really supposed to give the server $60 MINIMUM for 2 hours of work? You're likely not their only table during that time. They get their base rate and tips from other tables too.
You’re absolutely right. She will be serving 5+ tables every 1.5 hours of her shift and is expecting a tip of almost 20% from each of them. If the bill she is using as an example is a normal bill in that restaurant that’s $200 per hour covering 5 tables. Even if she has to share the tips and only gets a quarter of them it’s still $50 per hour on top of her wage
Load More Replies... I don't even understand the principle. If the tip is obligatory (or implicitly obligatory), then it is not a tip. It is the actual price. It's like in supermarkets - what good is a price tag if the taxes are only added up at the checkout. I just want to know what I'm paying beforehand! And if the service in the restaurant was at least good, I'm happy to give a tip! Meanwhile, some delivery apps also offer tip functions that start at 10-20%. And I think to myself: Why does a driver get just as much tip as a service person who serves me for 2 hours with a smile and takes care of me? My parcel delivery man doesn't get a tip either. (Except at Christmas and Easter.) Which service providers get a tip at all and which don't? (I remember a Scrubs episode where Dr C*x sets up a tip jar. :) ) Everyone should get a decent salary. And tipping in general should become superfluous. Or EVERYONE with any customer contact should get some. ;)
I used to work as a waitress so I almost always tip. I do understand workers frustration but it really shouldn't be pushed onto customers. Most countries are struggling with inflation and higher costs of living. Does it mean we should stop travelling and eating out altogether? The economy might not survive that. And I would never leave 50$ as a tip regardless of the bill, hell no, that's just too much!
It's crazy to think that waitresses come to work for a restaurant, but do not get paid by restaurant and have to beg for money from customers. Imagine coming to for example to food shopping centre, buying bread, butter, sausages, milk, apples and toothpaste and at the cashpoint you have to pay 15 dollars tip for your cashier services, because she do not get wages, and cashier has to share those 15 dollars with the shelf socking workers and the cleaning lady, because they are not paid aswell...
I'm living in Grermany, and rarely tip. Mostly, I just round up the final sum. Like, the bill ends anything else than 00, I round up to be 00. For example, by 12,30 euro, I'll pay 13,00 euro. I'll tip, when the service is really good, I mean, the server makes more just bringing out my order and being polite. And tip is 10%, very rare ofa 15%. I followed this, when I was in the US. Guys, I'm a tourist here, I don't care, if you hate me because of this, butI won't pay your wage. That's your employer's responsability.
"my job sucks so you, a customer has to give me money" Is there anything more entitled than an american server? your pay is too low for your work? go to you boss, he is the one that pays you, he is the one that employs you, you were hired by them to do a job, the costumer is not your employer, they don't owe you a paycheck. Saying you are payed to little doesn't mean others have to subsidize you.
What i'd like to know is how she can work in a sushiplace with those nails?!
Only when you grow up you understand how inferior the US is to Europe in any way possible
UK here and I have to say that, when I tip, I tip the server, not the restaurant. I tip the server because I feel that particular server has gone above and beyond to make my dining experience a memorable one. I will also tip the chef if I feel the meal was really special. The money is my way of saying thank you to an individual who has performed a superb job. It is not to go into a general pot so a tightwad food chain can use it towards a small wages hike because they won't pay their employees a living wage!
She is barking at a totally wrong tree and with an attitude and ego a tad more problematic than the group she is ranting about
Finally stop being mad at the customers and start being mad at your employer for being a greedy abusive sucker who refused to pay a living wage
There is nothing stopping your employer paying you a living wage and increasing prices to cover it.
Yeah, we Europeans would be rioting in the streets if someone took away universal health care, union rights, etc. We actually ARE protesting in the streets for these things. And we did very much so in the XIX century, that's why we have some rights left today. So maybe you should be starting doing the same.
I'm not saying she's right or wrong, but what I will say is this: Whenever I visited the states, if my bill showed a "service charge", I would not paying a tip (because I've paid for the service). If it did not show a service charge, I would tip. And I wasn't prepared to sit there and do mathematics, I'm there for a meal, not an exam. Good service got $15 per person at my table, bad got $10. I also don't agree that a tip should be percentage based. Workers in a high end restaurant do not work any harder than small family Bistro server. Why should one get the $100 tip, just because she got lucky in her job search? I get that it's your "Culture", but that doesn't make it right, and until you standardise something one way or the other, you have to expect these kid of issues.
Look here, darling. The minimum wage in my country is 4 USD/h. If I manage to save up enough money to visit the US, I am 100% certain, you will not be getting a single cent more than the European customary 10%. Throw a fit and it's going to be 0. Contrary to popular belief, not every European is wading knees deep in cash, nor is every tourist a multimillionaire. In fact, 60% of the people in my country can't afford a two-week staycation, let alone a trip abroad. And for half of those who can afford a holiday, a trip to the US is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, usually for their honeymoon. It's not my job to fix your economy or subsidise your income. (P.S.: back in 2016 I had a temp job where I worked 7 hours a day and somehow by magic, they were legally allowed to pay me 1 USD/h after taxes. In Europe. Let that sink in.)
In Europe, tips are awarded for effort above and beyond the call of duty. In America, it is a payment in lieu of an employer. We once flew over the Grand Canyon in a tiny Cessna and on the back of the pilot's seat was written that we should tip the pilot $50-75 per person on landing. Mandatory tipping to pilot? What the hell is going on in America????
I always read up on tipping culture in the country im going to visit. In Sweden it is not mandatory but most people do this to show gratitude for the service. My boyfriend is from another cultrure so for him its not often he tips. I usually put money for the waiter instead.
I've been to America quite a few times now. I only ever tip when I get above good service. I went on a uni trip to New York quite a few years ago, service was average. The waitress dropped a whole tray of cokes on one of the lecturers white coats. Obviously dry clean only! That part I blame the lecturer for. However, we weren't going to tip. Waitress literally blocked the door as we went to leave, crying that we hadn't tipped. Lecturer explained "not amazing service and I now have to pay for my coat to be cleaned before I can wear it". We HAD to leave a tip before we could go, the other waitresses and even the owner surrounded us. That was the final straw for me, I decided I would only tip if everything was great and above. I wouldn't be bullied or shamed.
Staff demanding tips is basically just a form of begging. It's being done by beggars who work for someone, but it's still just begging.
Can you understand it’s not normal for europeans to actually pay the waiting staff instead of their own employer ? I try my best to tip when in the US but I need to see the prices before entering a restaurant, estimate what i’d be eating and calculate the real cost, to see if I actually want/can eat there or not Same for taxes added when paying Why can’t american just write the FINAL actual price of everything ???
Honestly.... while I agree that tipping culture in the US could use a lot of change, the idea of "well, the US just needs to change its culture so no one else should have to observe what's expected of everyone when they visit" is a bit insane. You wouldn't say that when visiting any other country. If an American is visiting a European country and doesn't observe their customs, even if locals don't like those customs, people are still annoyed by the American. Why does it not work the other way around?
Wow - this is perfectly designed rage bait that will probably ruin this website eventually. You have 1) A boring tiktok with someone's stupid face shoved into a camera 2) Your constant cr@p-on-America thing which guarantees clicks, and 3) tipping culture, which we're all super sick of hearing about. I'm surprised that as you head more and more up buzzfeed's b-hole, that you aren't removing posts with low or negative votes anymore?
It's not "Europeans' " fault. It's also not the server's fault. It is the restaurant industry's fault. They are granted a loophole to not have to pay the same minimum wage as other employers. It is systemic and totally f****d up. From NerdWallet- "Tipped employees must receive a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, known as a cash wage. That cash wage is combined with tips to reach the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour". Now you may notice that $7.25 per hour (National minimum wage in the US, many states are higher). is absurdly low as well. TL:DR- loophole by restaurant industry to only pay people as low as $2.13/hour (!!!) combined with a low minimum total hourly wage is the cause of the problem. It sucks but you should be aware of it if you are going out to eat in the states. It's not the fault of the server, but the industry at large.
The employer doesn't pay you, so it's the responsibility of the customer? No. It's not. Tips are outrageous. Most of the time, they're just doing their job. They don't need handouts, and if they do or they're not getting paid enough to live, find another f*****g job.
Servers in the US do NOT WANT to have a living wage. Many tests have been done with restaurants paying them 25$ an hour and the servers quit because they make more elsewhere with tips. So stop that nonsense. Also, I'm very sure that the 20% tip was for excellent service. A 10% tip for basic, 15% for good service and 20 was excellent.
US servers do NOT WANT a living wage. They make more in tips. Stop blaming the employers. The servers do not want it. Lots of tests have been done by restaurants. And the norm is NOT 20%. That's what you want. I have been to the US very many times, I've traveled 34 states. Sure, I tip. But I very much remember when the norm was 10% standard, 15% for good service and 20% for excellent service. And don't start on cost of living increase. The bill in the restaurant already incorporated that so the % fluctuates with that.
Yep. Anne is absolutely correct on that one. When menu prices go up-so does the tip, because tipping is based on a % of the bill. Last time I asked, $2.13 was the hourly rate in my area. Did you know, that if servers, don't make enough tips to equal out minimum wage for the hours worked, their employers have to pay them the difference?! And they do NOT want to do that? A lot of them will give a server a " write up", for not claiming enough tips. And sometimes, it's warranted. Sometimes, it's not. When a server gets " stiffed", or no tip- that server still has to " tip out", and pay taxes on that tip. For example, a party of 8 comes in-the bill is $200.00. Let's say gratuity is 15%. That's 30 bucks. 3% goes to your bussboys,and 3% goes to the bartender. Leaves server with $18. If server is stiffed, they still have to pay out % tip out regardless. Because employers make customers pay servers wage, and servers pay bartender & buss boys wage. Corporate 'Merican greed. Period.
Load More Replies... I visited New York some years ago, and I understand that people have to work 80+ hours per week to live in Manhattan but the waiters were so rude! I am sure this is not a good example regarding the rest of the USA though...But they would not look at us, almost threw the drinks on our table, did the least possible to do their job. And then ask for a tip of 20%? No way. If you are too arrogant to communicate with your guests, you only get something because I know it's a culture thing. Luckily this was only the case for dinner/beer in the evening but most people in coffee places and stores were very friendly so than you get your 20% tip :) but as she describes it now, maybe they were so rude because we were European. In some countries the tip is included in the bill and not optional. At least than you know what to expect. You pay for food and the work people put into it.
How much you wanna bet that the second she realizes they're European she turns into an absolute b******e. They're probably not tipping because she's rude & bigoted! Lol c
All servers do NOT have to split their tips. WTF? I know some do. But I've worked in MANY RESTAURANTS & never once did I ever have to split tips. Girl stop.
A $52 tip on top of a $288 bill? Are you f*****g high? My entire life i've overtipped. Delivery people would get $10 on a $20 pizza order, waitstaff would get $10-$20 for a bill less than $30. That was always reasonable to me....it's not reasonable to presume that you, as a server, whose entire job is to write down orders from a limited number of options, and then carry said order, that someone else has prepared, less than 50 feet....for multiple tables at once, deserve a "cut" regardless of the bill total. A table runs up a $300 bill, spends an hour at the table, meaning you've spent MINUTES of that hour interacting with them in any capacity that could be defined as "work" and you think you deserve to make $52 an hour for that? Plus whatever you rake in from the other tables you're "servicing"? Are you f*****g high?!
The point of the video wasn't "is tipping right or wrong". The point of the video is "Europeans expect Americans to go to Europe and respect the culture of the country they are visiting, but refuse the same courtesy when visiting America". And I must say this is a completely valid point.
My main issue with tipping as a European is not tipping itself but that American servers tell you how much you need to tip. Anyone trying to pull that one off in Europe would be out of job.
I wonder how it will go if I went to a restaurant and asked to do the service by myself ^_^ That could be an interesting experience to do... Don't wait my table, I can do it. Preparing salads, whatever ? My of my chef husband can do it... (But, FOR REAL ! That should be done, filmed and broadcasted!)
Decade ago I could agree totally with what everyone is saying but now many servers are making minimum wage or more than me. Would it be rude asking what they make before I tip? Why would I tip someone making more than me?
I used to be a server many years ago for years and made $1.40 an hour. Yes I needed those tips.
Load More Replies... I tip as appropriate but entitled people like to this make me not want to. Restaurants just need to pay wait staff appropriately and stop this nonsense. Yes, I know, prices will go up but ultimately the bill won't so just effing make it easier for your customers and your staff because right now there's a boatload of needless resentment.
I'm european and I do tip servers. At the same time the american way of employers to just force their customers to not only pay the food but their employees, too, is beyond ridiculous.
I don´t really go to restaurants, but I occasionally tip cab or delivery drivers, If I happen to have some cash at Hand. But most I ever gave was maybe 5€.
So... The assistant at the shoe-shop, welcomes you, kneels down in front of you, measures your paws, goes and brings some shoes, sometimes more than a pair, helps you try them on. TIP, TIP, TIP!!! The assistant at the electronics shop, who can answer all your stupid questions about the new xyz TV set, and the one next to it, and the other behind it, and who spends an hour helping you decide... TIP, TIP, TIP. Generally... Anybody who works anywhere and comes into contact with a customer, TIP TIP, TIP. Is it a joke? If not, it is so distorted, I feel sorry for the people who defend the practice!
I live in a developing country. Even here the restaurant staff gets paid decently. No tipping culture. People tip if they feel like. Some restaurants levy 20% service charge but it's not mandatory, the customer can ask to remove it.
So... she's advocating the the destruction of the entire hospitality economy by excluding much of the developed world from visiting. Hmmm. Me thinks she'll be out of a job faster than she can blink of all of Europe cease tourist activity in the states. Good luck with that!
As a server in one of the worse U.S. States, I have had many tables that I paid to serve. Here's how it works. I have a base pay of $2.17/hour. When your table orders drinks, I have to tip that bartender a fixed percentage on those alcohol sales, regardless of whether you tip me in the end or not. So when you "protest" or refuse to participate in this dumb system or just don't care, I often have to pay out of my own pocket to provide you with that service.
TFW just about everyone in the Reddit comments, and these comments, does exactly what she's complaining about.
Typical restaurant bill in SA at the moment is about ZAR 600 or USD 30. Tip would be 10% or ZAR 60 (USD 3.). Ask for a living wage.
You'll get a tip if you deserve it. I think the only time I tipped low in the US was a Hooters in Vegas, our server was a snotty entitled b***h who came to the table twice, once to take the order, once to deliver the food and bring the bill which had 25% tip circled, she got 10% in loose change.
American's in general are underpaid by their employers and rely on customers to tip servers to make up for a lack of pay. Come to a country where tipping is not enforced and all employees received a guaranteed minimum wage that is legislated.
The last time I went to a restaurant I ordered a steak, a side of green beans, and sauce to go on my chips. It was plonked in front of me at different times over 20 minutes. When the bill came the server reminded me service wasn't included. I loudly stated " no kidding", to filthy looks from other customers. Seriously, why would i pay extra for that?
Load More Replies... I did my best, but I cannot forget the fact that I booked tours with four companies and only ONE of them deigned to actually tell me that they were paying a tipped wage. Fortunately that company told me during the booking stage, before I went on any of the tours. If you want to pick fights with “Europeans” (I’m Australasian) at least do your part.
Saying, "The restaurants should just pay their employees a living wage and not leave it up to the customer," is fine and dandy. We're working on that, despite fierce lobbying by the National Restaurant Association. But the fact is that restaurants like this system because it keeps menu prices lower to attract YOU. So, yes, just like tax should be included in the price listed, the same goes for that living wage money. So, until we can get this straightened out legally, can you please just take it as understood that that 20% is an implied cost of your meal when dining out? Refusing to tip is not a bold way to protest a broken system, it is you taking advantage of that system at the expense of ordinary working people.
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