Server says people who can’t afford to tip 20% ‘don’t deserve to eat out’

A server sparked conversation after sharing strong opinions about restaurant tipping.

The tipping debate is back, and this time, TikTok user @mylasoasis_ voiced her intense – and somewhat controversial – thoughts on diners’ tipping habits.

In many countries, tipping practices vary, but in the U.S., tipping isn’t just preferred; it’s essential. In the UK, restaurant workers earn a decent wage, so tipping isn’t required. But as @mylasoasis_ explains, she earns a shockingly low wage of just “$3.63” per hour.

Because of this low pay, servers depend on tips to earn a daily income. Whether you agree with her or not, her frustration is understandable.

She said: “You can complain and say my employer should pay me more, but this is America, and that’s not happening, OK?

“I get $3.63 from the restaurant. My actual earnings come from tips.”

She added: “Food is cheaper because tipping is expected.

“You shouldn’t eat out if you can’t afford to tip. It’s like having a nanny; if you can’t pay their full salary, you shouldn’t have a nanny.

“If you can’t tip, you don’t deserve to eat out. Order takeout or go to McDonald’s.”

Tipping laws differ by state, with the federal minimum wage set at $7.25 per hour.

However, in some states, businesses can pay tipped employees as little as $2.13 per hour if tips bring their earnings up to minimum wage, a practice known as the “tip credit.”

This explains why so many TikTok videos discuss tipping.

Some restaurants also use “tip pools,” where servers share tips with kitchen staff. This became legal in 2020 when the Department of Labor allowed tips to be shared with back-of-house employees.

The rule is that restaurants can only do this if they pay all staff the full federal minimum wage without using the tip credit.

Since the federal minimum wage was last raised to $7.25 in July 2009, it’s barely enough to live on.

In short, if you dine out in the U.S., please tip your server.

Featured Image Credit: TikTok / mylasoasis_