There’s been a heated debate around the topic of tipping recently. Opinions are divided, with some in favor and others against it. But one server took to the internet to express her frustration and dislike for European diners. It all started when a group of European diners left a $70 tip on a $700 bill, after having sat at the restaurant for hours. The server, Madison, took to Twitter to vent her anger but eventually deleted the post. However, a screenshot had already been captured, igniting a wave of debate.
Tipping culture differs between the United States and Europe. In the US, servers rely on tips as a significant part of their income, as their base salary tends to be low. In contrast, European employees receive a living wage and tipping is seen more as a gesture for exceptional service. Although tipping is not mandatory in many European countries, it is still appreciated.
In Madison’s case, her frustration stemmed from working at a restaurant in New York, where tipping is customary. She shared on Twitter, “Lmao i f****** hate Europeans sometimes on god. This table just left $70 on a $700 check after chilling for HOURS. My manager even asked about their service and they were OVER THE MOON about my service so he explained the customary tip is 20% and they were like ‘ok.’ And left, [sic].”
The picture of the bill that Madison shared showed a suggested minimum standard tip of 20%. While many people supported Madison’s frustration, others questioned why she was complaining. This incident has brought to light the ongoing debate about tipping and whether it should be mandatory or left to the discretion of the customer.
One thing is for certain – the tipping debate will continue. Whether you’re in favor of tipping or against it, it’s essential to understand the cultural differences when it comes to gratuities. Tipping provides an additional income for servers in the US, while in Europe, it’s more of a token of appreciation. As a customer, it’s important to be aware of the tipping customs of the country you’re in and show gratitude for exceptional service accordingly.
