A TikTok video showing an Applebee's receipt with a lousy tip amount went viral online and sparked a debate about tipping etiquette.
The bill seen in the video was from an Applebee's in Staten Island, New York, totaling $73.45.
The customer left a $6.33 tip. That's below a 10% minimum and less than double for a standard 18% gratuity, which would have been $13.
Even more perplexing was a note the customer wrote praising the server for good service, which read:
"You [were] great. Holidays are just rough right now."
TikToker @kingJ24 posted the video, which you can see, here.
@kingj023241 Your thought? 🤔 #SnowballFightAgainstHunger #JBLGreekOut #CustomersMostLoved #fyp
People were divided in the comments, with some TikTokers slamming an industry in which workers are reliant on tips due to low wages, and others criticizing the server for tip-shaming.
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
These TikTokers believed commenters were pointing the finger at the wrong party.
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
Many supported the server and admitted they would rather stay home if they couldn't leave a proper tip.
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
@kingJ24/TikTok
The Daily Dot learned that according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Mid-Year Update in September, "three out of every four restaurant owners say employee hiring and retention as their greatest difficulty."
The catalyst for the high turnover could be due to the expectations placed on servers who work long hours for meager wages.
@jeanie.online/Threads
Lev Parnas (@levparnas.bsky.social)
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social