A woman stirred up online outrage over a Paint N Sip art class in Ohio that asked for tips after charging $400 for a 2-hour session. Her group prepaid for it online, so they were surprised and unprepared when they were asked to tip. This costly art class’s unexpected tipping request also drew widespread anger from hundreds of online users.
“Tipping for a class is crazy talk,” remarked Impressive_Mess_, the Reddit user who shared her experience at this art class. There were four “please tip” signs at the Paint N Sip, including two in the bathroom and one at checkout, so it was hard to escape the tipping pressure without seeing one. Impressive_Mess_ said she was part of a 10-person group paying $40 each for the class. With $200 an hour covering the teacher and art supplies, she feels asking for a tip is beyond reasonable.
Online Users Believe Asking for Tips for Prepaid Activities Can Ruin the Experience
Hundreds of Redditors in the post’s comments agreed that “charging one amount and then asking for more is passive aggressive” and “coercive.” One person remarked on how baffled they felt over “the way people ask for tips while having no regard or care for the customer’s financial situation.”
Another shared a similar story, claiming they went on an expensive whale watching tour, only to be asked for tips at the end, even though no one brought money. “It’s a horrible way to end an event!” they exclaimed.
On the flip side, one commenter mentioned how the tipping at this art class, while uncalled for, might not be as malicious as people think. They claim that the artist might not be the owner of the shop holding the class and could be living off a measly commission, while the owner takes most of the money made from classes. So the artist asking for tips might be one way they’re trying to make their teaching worth their while financially, as the Reddit user believes.
Still, plenty of users felt as though it was not their financial responsibility to keep the lights running in a shop, especially after paying a flat rate like the $400 in the woman’s story. “Making your customers/clients leave in a state of quiet hatred is lousy business,” warns a Redditor.
