A server has lashed out at European diners after she deemed a 10% tip on a $700 bill an insult.
The big debate around tipping feels like it has been going on for years and I dare say that we aren't any closer to coming to a unanimous agreement.
Different countries and cultures view tipping differently, so when different worlds collide it can cause a bit of an issue, especially for those who feel short-changed.
In the US, tips are used to supplement a server's income which helps them afford the cost of living, while over in Europe, employees are often paid a living wage already and tips are seen as a gesture to reward outstanding service.
For example, in places like Italy and the UK, they probably won't refuse your money if you try to tip but they also won't expect you to part with your cash other than what's on the check.
The waitress in this particular instance, Madison, employed at a restaurant in New York, took to X (formerly Twitter) to air her grievances last year.
In a since-deleted tweet, Madison claimed that a table lingered at the restaurant for hours, expressing satisfaction when her manager inquired about their experience.
"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]" she wrote, before following up with a screenshot of the check alongside a second caption that read: "We need to ban europeans from travelling here until they learn how to act."
However, the server was not thrilled with their generosity as they left a $70 tip on a $700, and expressed that she "f***ing hate[s] Europeans sometimes". What makes matters worse, is that a photo of the bill clears shows the suggested tips listed at the bottom of the check - starting at a minimum of 20%.
Naturally, this created a wave of Americans standing up for Madison but also invited a number of Europeans to question why she was turning her nose up at a $70 tip.
While some people described the $70 tip as "acceptable", another stated that the tipping culture in the US "has got to end".
One sympathetic X user replied: "Europeans aren't used to tipping because servers are generally paid well. Blame the terrible late stage capitalism of the US, not patrons from other countries."
Fast forward to Christmas, and it appeared as if Madison's woes at her job haven't gotten any easier as despite sparking a new debate not involving tips, her replies are still full of people claiming that she has no right to complain.
Taking to X, she wrote: "I have a table that signed a large party contract and now that they’re finished with their meal, after saying how good it was the whole time, they’re like 'actually we DONT want to pay the $2,000 check'."
Furthering her argument that she believes that Europeans don't know how to behave in restaurants, she said: "They were like 'you can’t make us pay' and we were like 'well actually you signed a legal contract to make this reservation and we have your credit card on file… so actually we can'."
It seems as if the table dined from a "prix fixe" menu, where you pay a set price and get a list of things to choose from.
Europe is a big place, and Madison didn't divulge where the customers were from but judging from her comments, it seems that she has run-ins with people from this particular country quite frequently.
What a nightmare.
