Rethinking Tipping: Is Change Needed
A TikTok user has faced significant backlash online after initiating a conversation about customers who enjoy fine dining but fail to tip their servers. The video has received over 10,000 views and emphasizes the significance of tipping.
In today’s digital landscape, social media platforms are flooded with discussions regarding tipping practices in the U.S.
Tipping, an optional custom, has sparked intense debate in recent years. Many people have voiced their annoyance that the typical tip range is often between 15% to 20%, with anything below 20% frequently considered insufficient.
In a recently deleted video, a restaurant worker named Lillie, known on TikTok as @mylasoasis_, made a controversial assertion: if you cannot afford to tip, dining out may not be suitable for you.
Lillie opens her video by stating, “Dining out is a privilege, not a right. If you can’t tip 20%, you can’t afford to eat out.”
She delves into the ongoing dialogue about server wages in the U.S. While some argue that servers should be compensated differently, Lillie clarifies that this is not her reality or that of the 1.6 million servers nationwide.
“You can complain about my employer needing to pay me more all you want, but that’s not the case here in America,” she explains. “I earn $3.63 per hour from my restaurant. My income is primarily from tips.”
Lillie further explains that restaurant prices are set lower to encourage customers to tip. “Menu prices are lower because tips are expected,” she asserts. “If you can’t afford to tip, you shouldn’t dine out.”
She likens the situation to hiring a nanny: “It’s the same principle. If you can’t pay someone a full wage, you shouldn’t hire them,” she states. Lillie concludes by saying that those who cannot tip should consider takeout or fast food instead.
In the caption of her video, Lillie expresses her frustration: “To those who think we should earn a higher hourly rate… Okay??? BUT WE DON’T. Not tipping will only worsen your dining experience!”
After Lillie’s video, many users commented with their viewpoints. One person, who typically tips when eating out, criticized Lillie’s tone.
“I always tip, but the sense of entitlement is outrageous. Maybe find a different job that pays well hourly,” they wrote.
Another user agreed, suggesting that if the pay is inadequate, it might be time to look for a different job: “If you can’t make ends meet, look for another job. This is absurd.”
Conversely, several users supported Lillie’s message. One user shared their experience: “I earn $2.13 an hour, and we don’t even get paychecks.” Another chimed in, urging, “SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK.”
One user offered a different perspective: “Go off, girl. If someone refuses to tip because they think employers should pay fair wages, they should only support businesses that do.”
Others mentioned their commitment to tipping while disagreeing with Lillie’s assertion that a 20% tip is obligatory, even with subpar service. “I tip based on service,” one user noted. “I usually tip 20% or more unless the service is really bad.”
What do you think about Lillie’s comments? Share your thoughts in the comments!