Mandatory Tipping

• Edit added at the end *

I went to eat at a restaurant recently and was scolded by a waitress for not tipping. I didn’t see a reason to. They did their job, I got my food, there was nothing remarkable about the service. I view tipping as a reward for either really, really, good food or the service was top notch with a good rapport built.

When I spoke to someone else about it they said that I deserved to be scolded and I should have tipped. The only reason to not tip is if the service was really bad.

Tipping shouldn’t be mandatory or expected. Next time, I’ll just order it to go instead of dining in. I’m not exactly mad, just annoyed with tipping culture and how it’s now expected for you to tip. Even if I do tip, it’s not enough. I don’t like that the workers aren’t getting paid a lot but at the same time, why do I have the burden of paying your salary?

I almost felt some guilt about not tipping but after that interaction, absolutely never tipping that particular worker.

Fyi I also work a service job that has tipping as well. I don’t expect a tip but it’s a nice bonus if I do. I work a second job for this reason. Does it suck? Yes. However, I don’t pressure people into spending more money than they need to.

Edit: I won't be responding to anymore new comments and have turned off notifications due to some messages I have recieved. I also see some name calling and that's not okay.

I'll keep the post up as I stand by what I said. This post isn't meant to be angry at the server. I dislike the tipping culture in the U.S. although I cannot fight the system that exists, I vented about it, much like what most people on reddit do.

It's one interaction and I don't take the server's words personally. I ordered take out at that restaurant today and there was no incident. It wasn't and still isn't a big deal.

To the pro-tippers: Please stop calling everyone who sympathizes with me cheap and the other word that starts with an A. Some people want to eat out to treat themselves (despite not having a lot of money) or don't have time or skill to cook. Everyone's financial circumstances are a different. You may view me as rude for not tipping a server who doesn't make a lot of money but you're also rude to dictate what a person should spend money on (who may also not have a lot of money).

To the anti-tippers: Please don't call people who like to tip to be a part of the problem. They genuinely are trying to help servers who don't make a high income. The intention is sweet and even if you disagree with how they go about it, there's no need to attack them either. You can just downvote or something.

Overall, everyone is trying to do what they think is right for their situation. I appreciate the sympathy, understanding, and patience from the majority of the people in the thread and I appreciate the pro-tippers shedding some light on the circumstances of the servers.