Restaurant Worker of 13 Years Asks Why Tipping Critics Don't Just Press Zero

A Reddit thread on r/tipping has reignited one of the internet’s favorite arguments, and this time it’s coming from someone who’s actually worked in restaurants for 13 years. The original poster asked a blunt question: if you’re so against tipping, why not just select zero on the payment screen? Their point was that the backlash keeps hitting servers and bartenders instead of the executives and large chains that could afford to pay better wages.

The comments came in hot from both directions. Many users argued that tipping allows employers to shift labor costs onto customers, making a worker’s income depend on how generous a stranger feels that day. Others complained about tip prompts appearing before any service is delivered, and automatic gratuities stacking on top of service charges. Some commenters said they feel awkward pressing zero while an employee stands nearby, which is basically the guilt trap in action.

The original poster also pointed out that independent restaurants often run on loans just to keep the doors open, while big chains have the margins to raise pay. Under U.S. federal law, employers can count tips toward minimum wage requirements when certain conditions are met, which keeps the whole system tangled. So the question remains: is the tip screen the problem, or the company behind it? Tell us where you land in the comments.