Tipping expectations can vary, but in the U.S., many service workers rely on gratuities as a major part of their income. In a TikTok video captioned “Couldn’t even tip me 10 bucks, nothingggggg,” a server in New Orleans said she was left upset after an influencer’s $200 comped meal ended without the latter dropping even a small tip. “I just wanted to say like thank you so much for not tipping me on a 200+ dollar bill that you had completely comped,” she said, adding sarcastically, “That was so helpful during New Orleans summer slow.”
The server explained that the chef had chosen her to serve the marketing guest, who was brought in just 40 minutes before her shift was supposed to end. The woman also told viewers this was her first time not receiving a tip from an influencer. “I mean I could understand if I was a bad server but I’m not. The chef specifically picked me to serve you because they know I’m good at my job. Yeah, I’m so pissed,” she said, pointing out that she had regulars who ask for her by name.
The server admitted she didn’t bother asking for the woman’s Instagram handle because “I didn’t like her energy or how she talked over me.” She added that the experience came at a particularly difficult time. According to her, the “popular” Honduran restaurant where she worked had already bounced two payrolls in a row, leaving her to fight for wages through Venmo. “You may not agree but I feel like influencers should tip their wait staff even if the meal was comped,” she explained. “I can even understand not tipping the entire 20% on a bill that was comped, but nothing bro?”
Here’s What Netizens Are Saying About the New Orleans Server’s Experience
It seems like tipping culture is no joke, because most netizens in the comments expressed outrage at the influencer’s behavior. “im [sic] so sorry this is truly the worst,” one person wrote. Another asked for more details, saying, “Oh please tell me what she looks like… I bet I can help you find her.” The server replied that she didn’t know the influencer’s name but described her as a blonde woman in her thirties with “former church camp counselor energy.”
Some also felt the restaurant should have stepped in. “Tbh if your manager was comping a meal he should have covered you for the tip too,” a commenter suggested. Others emphasized that tipping is basic respect for service workers. “If a restaurant has someone who is obviously not the manager serve me, I always tip them at least $20. Because I know y’all are working for tips. So for someone else to not do that – that’s shitty,” another explained.
A few were simply shocked. “Thats so horrible wtf,” one person wrote, summing up the reaction of others who agreed that influencers should never walk away without tipping their server.
