My take:
Tips are inherently socialist. Not capitalistic.
A tip is a gift for good service, it is not an entitlement or a right. Whether "server relies on tips to survive" is of no concern to the customer, they are only on the hook to pay the listed food/drink price plus tax and a service charge if it is displayed upfront. And if the server is unhappy, they can go find another job like we all are told to do if we are not happy with our salaries - waiters aren't special creatures. And if a server says "if you cannot afford tip, you cannot afford to eat out" is the most ridiculous and dumb thing to say because if people stop eating out, their tips and salaries go down to zero as their employer goes out of business. So don't diss your customers.

Foreigners coming to the US and paying what is listed is fair game to me. We have to get rid of this tipping culture which is nothing but rip-off culture. I read similar discussions where people who struggle to pay for rent and food and are in debt, but boast that they "tip generously" - seriously? No wonder they are struggling every day to survive because they are so frivolous with their money.

Also, Americans tend to go overseas and "tip generously" thinking they are doing others a favor. But all it does is ruin things as the waiters then neglect locals to cater to the money-throwing Americans. We don't follow their customs on tip, why should they follow ours?

The article says "automatic 20% service charge" - that is fine. All upfront and not sneaky.

Time to get rid of tips. Add an up-front service charge if you want to. It is not the customer's job to pay for a the employees of a business. Let's actually get rid of socialism in our daily lives.



World Cup tourists aren't leaving tips and NYC restaurants are fighting back
https://nypost.com/2026/06/20/us-news/world-cup-tourists-arent-leaving-tips-and-nyc-restaurants-are-fighting-back/

Quote:

---

The World Cup does not runneth over with decent tips.

As New York City transforms into a giant international watch party, local bartenders and servers are discovering that many visitors didn't get the memo about America's tipping culture.

An estimated 1.2 million soccer fans are flooding the region for FIFA World Cup Matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., packing bars and restaurants from morning kickoffs to late-night celebrations.

---

Quote:

---

The cash registers are ringing, the beer is flowing and the tables are full. But the tips are coming up short. And some cities are doing something about it.

Restaurants in places such as Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia have begun adding automatic 20% gratuities to checks, during the tournament, according to industry groups and restaurant operators.
Supporters say the move is intended to protect American servers who rely heavily on gratuities and avoid confusion for visitors unfamiliar with American tipping norms.

---

Quote:

---

At McCarthy's Pub NYC on West 46th Street, waitress Louise Daggett said serving the international crowds has been equal parts exhausting and entertaining.

"Everyone has been really sweet . . . they're loud and happy, very nice," Daggett told The Post. But many are baffled by the American ritual of signing receipts and calculating tips.
"It's very different. And a lot of people haven't been leaving tips," she said.

---

Quote:

---

The crowds have been great for business. The tipping? Not so much.
"I mean, obviously they don't tip like normal," Calimano said.
Still, she says most of the confusion comes down to culture, not stinginess.

---

Quote:

---

In many countries, there is minimal to no tipping because European restaurants pay staff like any other profession and workers don't rely on tips, so customers assume they've already paid for service.
"The bartender might say, 'was everything alright with the service?' And they say 'yeah,'" Calimano said. "Because in Europe . . . [the tip] was already included in the price, and they think that."

---

Owners do not have to pay minumum wage in alot of places. You must address that.

And, I don't think most people have an issue tipping a good waiter (in this country anyway).

Euro's are crappy tippers? Color me shocked.

I didn't tip on my trips to Europe or Asia, so I'm fine with it.

Serious Lee said:

---

Quote:

---

World Cup tourists aren't leaving tips and NYC restaurants are fighting back

---

how are they fighting back? the usual whining on twitter?

---

you just had to read a couple lines down:

Quote:

---

Restaurants in places such as Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia have begun adding automatic 20% gratuities to checks, during the tournament,

---

That's the best part about Italy. Within reason, talk some sh** to your servers. At least the guys. They love it. Service will improve.

WestAustinAg said:

---

Taking a job where your 95% of your pay is based upon having good interactions with your customers and making sure they get their meals on time is completely merit based and 100% capitalistic.

Pay for performance.

In Europe they get paid whether they ignore you or not. Whether they hear your speaking english and decide not to come to your table for 30 minutes. They willfully ignore some table because of their politics, racism, feelings, etc. That's communism.

---

Bingo. I remember one time in Germany at a restaurant, they refused to seat my family and I. I'm guessing because we spoke english and didn't look like typical Germans (we are Hispanic).

Never seen anything happen like that in the US before, I was blown away at the overt racism.

Im Gipper said:

---

Quote:

---

My take:
Tips are inherently socialist. Not capitalistic.

---

Stop reading at this hilariously bad take. Sorry!!!

I get the problem people have with "tipping culture" in America, but voluntarily giving someone money is not remotely "socialism."

---

OP clearly just wants more money to go directly to the CEOs and not to the workers.

Gator92 said:

---

When did 20% become the norm?

15% is what I tip and only for a bartender or table wait service.

Prices have skyrocketed. Every time prices go up, wait people get a raise...

---

Covid. I noticed my first default POS tip suggestion at 22% this week, so it's starting to creep up from 20% now.

Poster despises CEO's, but also thinks those making $2-3/hr should not be getting tips. They should just be living under bridges, eating tuna and ramen. and only taking the bus.

To be fair, I used to have similar thoughts on tipping, until I got older and talked to people in the industry and realized that they barely make anything at all without tips.

Keep in mind the credit card companies are helping push this. They get paid more

Everytime I see that iPad flip around at the checkout I know they are asking for a tip for no service.

Edit: and like people have said here. In Europe no one tips. It is included in the food/drinks. It's not like they are a certain segment of our society who don't tip because of ignorance.

Hardcore Greg said:

---

To be fair, I used to have similar thoughts on tipping, until I got older and talked to people in the industry and realized that they barely make anything at all without tips.

---

Back in the day, I had a hard 15% limit.

Now I tend to give generous tips if the service is good because I'm a multi-millionaire and I can help someone who is not making much money for doing a good job that benefits me.

Both base price and tipping have increased.

I thinking tipping 10% is reasonable.

agdx88 said:

---

AMEN!

Tipping expectations are out of control. You do not need a tip for doing your job. Ordering at a coutner and then calling my name for me to pick up my food is not a service worth tipping. Recommending a fine wine or advising a nice side dish that made my meal more enjoyable...certainly. "Thanks for the extra help". Delivery drivers should get a service fee and not expect a tip either. Set expectations up front. If a delivery driver carries the heavy box insdie the house instead of leaving it on the fropnt porch. A kind gesture is warranted. Tipping or otherwise known a a gratuity used be a sign of your gratitude. It's an expectation now for doing your basic job function..

---

At a place like Freebirds, where they are following my instructions and serving me in real time, I am leaving a few bucks. If I get a tea or a snack at the Sonic, I usually throw them a buck for bringing it out to the vehicle. If I am picking up take-out, it's $2 to $3 for bagging the order. I guess it's more of an illusion and it being ingrained since you're basically getting the same (less visible) service at other establishments.

As far as ordering food or alcohol delivery, I tip well there. They are using their own vehicle and then having to wait and drive me my stuff. Their base pay is usually $1 to $2, so if we don't tip them well, they are paying to deliver your stuff.

At a bar or restaurant, I usually always tip 20%. I had a horrible experience one time at Plucker's, which is unusual, but I still tipped like 15%. If I am at a bar and the drinks are strong and the service is good, I will tip a lot more for that.

This is where most of Europe has it right. The cost of service is priced into the meal. You only tip for service above and beyond. 5%-10% is pretty standard, and that's only if the service is really good.

Strong drinks, great service, cute smile and some knockout knockers going to drive at least a cnote out of me.

We had a waiter in Rome that apparently really knew the game, especially when it came to Americans. My wife and I were on lunch break from a walking tour and at one square near the Pantheon (can't remember the name) we all dispersed for a quick lunch. We wanted to split a pizza and the waiter said the portion size wasn't big enough to share so we believed him and ordered two different pizzas.

When they arrived they were the same size as everywhere else we had been, a large meal for one or just right for two to share. I was already annoyed. When we wanted to pay he dropped the check and said to pay with the card and tip in cash on the table. After I had to hunt him down so we could pay and get back to the tour he repeated the same thing about the tip. Since I was already mad about having to pay for a 40 euro lunch when we left half the food on the table since it was more than we needed I told him "I heard you the first time" and swiped my card, signed the receipt and marched out.

SOCIALISTS who have taken over New York with their communist, Hamas ideology of abolition of police and private property

now whining about not getting capitalist tips for their service.

Great point-

if anything adding a "VAT TAX" is more communist/socialist than it being left up to the individual to pass on a tip based on performed service

seems to be the essence of capitalist effort

agdx88 said:

---

AMEN!

Tipping expectations are out of control. You do not need a tip for doing your job. Ordering at a coutner and then calling my name for me to pick up my food is not a service worth tipping. Recommending a fine wine or advising a nice side dish that made my meal more enjoyable...certainly. "Thanks for the extra help". Delivery drivers should get a service fee and not expect a tip either. Set expectations up front. If a delivery driver carries the heavy box insdie the house instead of leaving it on the fropnt porch. A kind gesture is warranted. Tipping or otherwise known a a gratuity used be a sign of your gratitude. It's an expectation now for doing your basic job function..

---

I think most agree. That said, I have no issue with a tip jar at these type places. You give folks the option to make someones day (those POS tips are typically dispersed in a "tip share" process which includes evryone in the back of the house). It is not required. I don't think that is where this debate is.

To call tipping a waiter who is making $2-$3/hr socialism is silly. And, that waiter absolutely controls your experience. A terrible waiter can ruin your "bone-in ribeye" experience and a great waiter can make your "chicken breast" experience one you remember for weeks.

Earning that tip is what motivates them to provide good service. Service has declined over the years already. I would not want to eat at a place where the wait staff was making $20/hr base pay and tips were prohibited. I guarantee you that would be the worst service you ever received.

You're going to pay the "tip" one way or another. Either it's going to be baked into the food/drink/delivery or it's going to be voluntary. I like it how it is, but the truth is, the generous people are the one subsidizing the cheap people. It's the cheap people who complain because they know they are crap humans and don't want to be labeled that way. I do like getting away from tipping for one reason: To make the cheap people pay up for once in their life.