Tipping is an optional ritual that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Many people have expressed irritation about the normal tip of 15-20% and the perception that anything less than 20% is insufficient.
A restaurant employee going by the name Lillie, also known as @mylasoasis_ on TikTok, made a provocative statement in a recent video (which has since been removed). She said you really shouldn’t be dining out at a restaurant if you can’t afford to tip your waitress.
In her opening video, Lillie says to the camera, “Eating out is a privilege, not a right.” You cannot afford to eat out if you cannot afford to tip 20% of the bill.
The TikToker delves into the current discussion around American waitstaff pay. Lillie clarifies that, despite some people’s arguments to the contrary, she and the other approximately 1.6 million servers in the country do not live in a different way. “You may whine and demand that your employer give you more money all you like, but this is America, and that’s not the situation, okay?” She clarifies. “I get paid $3.63 by the restaurant where I work. My pay, or revenue, comes from tips.
Lillie goes on to say that restaurant menu prices are purposefully maintained lower so that patrons can leave gratuities. She explains, “The reason the food is less expensive is because a tip is expected.” “You don’t deserve to eat out if you can’t afford to tip.” She likens the state of affairs to employing a nanny.
The situation with a nanny is the same. She asserts that you don’t deserve a nanny if you can’t afford to pay them their whole compensation. In closing, Lillie says that if you can’t leave a tip, “you literally don’t deserve to dine out,” advising people to get takeaway or go to a fast-food restaurant instead.
Lillie vents her annoyance even further in the caption of the video: “And to everybody who believes we should be getting paid a higher hourly… Alright? However, WE AREN’T. Your eating experience will only get worse if you don’t tip!!!! Many individuals shared their own opinions in the comments area after watching Lillie’s video.
One customer took issue with Lillie’s delivery of her message, even though they acknowledged that they always tip when they eat out. They said, “I always tip, but the entitlement is just crazy. Find another job that pays well on an hourly basis and doesn’t require you to run around.” Another commenter concurred, saying that someone should look for new work if the salary at their current position is not enough. “Look for another job if your salary isn’t enough to support you.” This is ridiculous they said.
It goes without saying that some users agreed with Lillie’s message. A person spoke from personal experience when they said, “LITERALLY… My hourly wage is $2.13, and we don’t even get paid for working. “SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK,” yelled another commenter.
A user made the following recommendation: “Go off, girl. People should only patronise companies that pay fair salaries if they don’t tip because they think the employer should. Another person expressed their dedication to tipping, but they didn’t agree with Lillie’s assertion that a 20% tip is always required, especially in cases where the service is subpar. They said, “I tip based on service.” “I always leave a 20% or larger tip, unless the service was really poor.”
