A server went viral on TikTok after she explained how she knows a customer won’t leave a tip: when they start dropping excessive compliments.
Syd (@poorandhungry), who frequently posts content about working in the food service industry, posted the video to her account late last week. As of Sunday morning, her TikTok had amassed over 669,400 views. In it, Syd plays both herself, as a server, and a customer who refused to leave a tip.
“Hey, guys. How was everything today?” Syd asks, as the server.
“Everything was absolutely amazing,” the patron responds. “The food was delicious. Your service was so good.”
Then Syd, as the server, dropped off the bill. But she was surprised when the customer insisted on not leaving a tip.
“Just so you know, gratuity isn’t included,” Syd told the customers. “I see on the gratuity line you wrote, ‘Yelp.’”
But then the patron explained her logic: instead of a tip, she planned on leaving the server an “unbelievable” Yelp review.
Even after the server explained that she doesn’t see additional money from Yelp reviews, the customer was unmoved.
“We don’t get paid for anything that’s written about us on Yelp,” the server said.
“I’m a big of a blog mom,” the patron replied. “We are from out of state. And if we ever come back to Boston, we’ll be sure to take care of you next time.”
In the accompanying video caption, Syd implied that she did indeed experience this. She said the encounter happened between her and a customer in 2015 “PRE INFLUENCER.”
@poorandhungry This was PRE INFLUENCER this was in like 2015 this lady just didnt tip #server #restaurant #serverlife #customerservice ♬ original sound – $yd
In the comments section, fellow service workers said they’ve experienced similar situations.
“Lol when they start complimenting you, you know they aren’t tipping,” one user said.
“Compliments do not pay bills,” another wrote.
Others, however, said that tipping shouldn’t be mandatory. Indeed, many users chided Syd for pushing the so-called customer for a tip when doing so isn’t required.
“This is very rude,” one person said. “Tipping isn’t the law.”
“Tipping is not mandatory and should not [always be] expected,” another commented.
“The absolute entitlement of telling a customer they aren’t finished with the bill until they tip you,” a third person added.
The Daily Dot has reached out to Syd via TikTok comment.
