'Seriously? This is it?': Guy takes back a 10% tip after a poor-service waitress publicly shames him for being a 'cheapskate'

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 8, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a "bad tipper." Perhaps it's the lack of service these days—with QR code menus, scant staffing, and tipping culture spiralling out of control—but I just don't see the value in tipping a server 25% just because of social obligation. I'm a Californian, which means that waiters and waitresses at my local establishments are likely scoring 6-figure salaries at the end of the year, raking in egregious tourism-bloated tips, while maintaining a high hourly wage. It's insane.

So if a server isn't actually going above and beyond to serve my table, I'm not going above and beyond in the tipping section of the receipt.

Plain and simple.

This man also refused to leave a good tip for a bad waitress. While enjoying a date with his girlfriend, their table was forgotten, drink orders misplaced, and the waitresses attitude was bad from the start. But when he left a 10% obligation tip, she flipped out and publicly shamed him as a cheapskate. Perhaps she didn't deserve any tip whatsoever... 

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    via LuckyBusiness
  • AITA for taking back my tip after the waitress humiliated me in front of everyone?
    via LeJeb40
  • Alright; this occurred a few nights ago, and I just can't believe it happened the way that it did. My partner (29F) and I (32M) dined out at this Italian restaurant we've been to several times. It's not highly sophisticated; but pleasant enough that you get to sit down; order wine; and have a relaxed evening.
    via LeJeb40
  • Our server; let's name her Samantha; was kind of phased throughout. She lost my drink twice; served the wrong starter; and vanished for what seemed like an eternity when it arrived time to order dessert. It wasn't the end of the world; I've worked customer service myself; and I get that hectic nights go wild. However; service was really poor.
    via LeJeb40
  • When the check came; I paid and left a 10% cash tip. Not excessive; but not nothing, either. I thought it was reasonable given the circumstances. We were just standing up to leave when Samantha came over; took
    via LeJeb40
  • the cash; and said, "Seriously? This is it?" She had said it audibly; a few people at some nearby tables turned around and stared. I was taken aback; I didn't even know what to say first. Then she
    via LeJeb40
  • added, "You know, servers can't pay their rent because of people like you; if you can't tip properly, don't dine out." The restaurant became totally silent; like sitcom-silence. My girlfriend was wincing.
    via LeJeb40
  • I just remained calm and said, "Okay; sorry you feel that way," and started to leave. Then; no kidding; she muttered, "Whatever, cheapskates," but loudly enough that it was not only for us. So I went back over; walked over to the table; took the tip; and left without another word.
    via LeJeb40
  • My girlfriend later informed me that I did fine with it; but one of my friends feels like I had overstepped by insisting on getting the tip back; that no matter what, you just leave it and move on. I feel like to be scolded and humiliated on account of a 10% tip that I actually did leave is way out of bounds.
    via LeJeb40
  • combattype86. NTA, she expected and then demanded a good tip for a crappy job. You were nice enough to leave her something but she wanted to be ungrateful
    via combattype86
  • Lasat⚫ NTA. I would probably have pointed out why the tip was not higher. And I would also contact the restaurant to speak to a manager because that server was way out of line. I would've taken the tip back as well.
    via Lasat
  • LibraryMouse4321 One of my friends has really bad service from a waitress and didn't want to leave a tip at all, but knew that waitresses have to shake their tops with the busboys and bartenders. He took his tip to the manager and told him that it was for the busboys and bartender, and that the waitress was terrible.
    via LibraryMouse4321
  • The manager was appreciative of his report on the waitress as well as his generosity with the rest of the staff that gets tipped. Don't know if the waitress ended up getting some of that tip, but I hope not.
    via LibraryMouse4321
  • Outrageous_Bid_7253. Should have said, "you're right, let me pay you properly for the level of service you provided" THEN take the tip.
    via Outrageous_Bid_7253

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tips server servers waiter tipping restaurant no tip waitress service industry
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