Bartender causes controversy by adding 20% tip to all unclosed tabs at end of shift: 'I'm not sure that's legal'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 4, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

It goes without saying that in the US, tipping is an integral part of the hospitality industry. Servers, bartenders, and more can't afford to live without it, and if you decide to stiff them there's a high chance that you will be shamed for it. There is also a chance that you may not be able to avoid leaving a tip, even if you don't want to. 

This is something that caused controversy recently after a bartender revealed the process that her bar went through when dealing with tabs that people had walked out on. Showing how she rang up each of the 372 tabs and automatically added a 20% tip, some were upset at this process happening without the consent of the billpayer. However, other people pointed out that this was perfectly legal and standard practice in many bars. The truth is, there is a section of the population that will never understand working in hospitality.

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    unvaxxed sperm US the next Bitcour Wild content @NoCapFights Wait you can do this? Subscribe
    via NoCapFights
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    via NoCapFights
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    CASH @thevoiceofcash .4d Replying to @NoCapFights She's going to jail
    via thevoiceofcash
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    Adjusted55 @BillPrinter00 .4d Replying to @NoCapFights Yeah she just showed us how she's committing fraud
    via BillPrinter00
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    Danielle Fountain - A... @The_One_Realty Replying to @NoCapFights Follow Bars in Austin have signs posted for 20% automatic tip....
    via The_One_Realty
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    OneTonScoutll @OneTonScoutII. 3d Replying to @NoCapFights when I bartended, we put a sign up that read "all walked tabs get 20% gratuity added". very rarely people would complain.
    via OneTonScoutII
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    alexandria ❤ @alexxxandria23-3d Replying to @NoCapFights They have to have a sign posted but this is a super common practice in busy bars
    via alexxxandria23
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    Blue Collar Executive @A_Sober_....3d: Replying to @NoCapFights I'm not sure that's legal...
    via A_Sober_Drunk
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    LeftMindVirus @LeftMindVirus 3d • Replying to @NoCapFights Yes, this is normal.
    via LeftMindVirus
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    Casey @C4SEY85.3d Replying to @NoCapFights Standard procedure. I leave knowing they'll tip 20% rather than wait in line to.... Still tip 20%
    via C4SEY85
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    SharrellAnne @SharrellAnne2 .4d Replying to @NoCapFights Yeah, I've been there... Had to show my Id to pick up my card the next day. Decided to let them go ahead and hang on to it for one more night. That was one of a weekend!
    via SharrellAnne2
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    Nanami @hot_girl_spring 3d • Replying to @NoCapFights I'm european and have no idea what this means
    via hot_girl_spring
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    josh terry @JoshhTerry • 3d Honestly unbelievable responses to this very normal thing. Are you guys all 12-years-old or something
    via JoshhTerry
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    boss @boss_on_here • 2d had someone from the department of consumer and worker protection come to our bar when someone complained about an auto 20% and he just verified that we had signage up then joked that this was 90% of his day-to-day
    via boss_on_here
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    sarah@thesarahkelly • 2d Blue checks in the comments have apparently never been to a bar. Normal people were going to tip 20% anyway and are unfazed by this extremely common policy.
    via thesarahkelly
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    • Patrick Sullivan @Patch Navillus ⚫ 3d Watched this and expected like even 25%. Are there really goblins out there who think you can leave a tab open without a 20% automatic tip. Are you not already tipping 20% to begin with? Stay home losers!!!!!!!!!
    via PatchNavillus
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    kintsugi kid @trillharris 3d • People in the comments do not be outside. "She's going to jail" no this is a very common policy. I've seen bars post WAY higher ones in fact. You agree to it when you hand over card info and they have a sign or printed on the menu stating the policy
    via trillharris
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    taylor@cornbreadsays .3d they could just close your tab after each purchase but they're secretly praying you leave it open so they can do this
    via cornbreadsays

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