A debate has been ignited on social media after one TikTok user shared an alleged Applebee's bill showing a customer's 9% tip.

The receipt was first shared to the social media platform by user @kingj023241, who captioned the clip: "You [thoughts]?"

In the video, an Applebee's receipt can be seen, with an initial total for the meal coming to $73.45. The customer then added a tip of $6.55 - bringing the total charge to $80. The receipt states that the meal was enjoyed at the Hylan Boulevard restaurant in Staten Island.

The 9% tip is considerably lower than the amount expected in US restaurants, which is usually around 18-20%. In fact, at the bottom of the receipt, the respective figures for these amounts are given as a suggestion to the diner, with 18% being $12.14 and 20% being $13.49.

Alongside the tip, the customer apparently left a note reading: "You was great holidays are just rough right now" - alongside an unhappy face and an arrow pointing to the tip.

Watch the video below:

[[tiktokwidget||https://www.tiktok.com/@kingj023241/video/7041360778842180869]]

No further information has been provided on the video. However, in just over a week, it has already amassed over 660,000 views and received more than 3,500 comments - with many social media users divided over what the "right" thing to do is in this situation.

Some people were leaning on the side of the server, and questioned why the diner would choose to eat out if money was tight.

One person commented: "You can afford $73 and some change to feed yourself but no enough to tip? Don't eat out if you can't afford the service."

A second agreed, writing: "If money is tight, don't eat out. [The] server needs the tip money to support her family most likely too."

Another added: "Holidays can't be that rough still spending almost $75 on a meal."

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However, others were more sympathetic to the diner, with some calling out tipping culture as a whole.

"I think that family enjoyed a nice dinner out and still tipped. They didn't owe anyone that explanation. Y'all be mad at the wrong people," one TikToker wrote.

Another added: "Tips aren't mandatory. They left a note. Be understanding. You chose this line of work. Rolls with the ups and downs with waitressing. That's life."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: TikTok]]

One Tikoker agreed, writing: "Tips are voluntary not mandatory. People know the job they sign up for doesn't guarantee tips. What a sense of entitlement."

And finally, TikTok user Justin Scaggs wrote: "If restaurants paid a decent wage it wouldn't be the responsibility of the customer to solely compensate with tips. Once again corporate America wins."

What are your thoughts on the situation depicted here? Let us know in the comments section.

Featured image credit: Richard Levine / Alamy (Stock image)

People divided after Applebee's customer tips just 9% and blames the holidays: 'Be understanding'