A recent social media trend has brought the nuances of American tipping culture to the forefront, centered on a waitress's assertion that "gratuity" and "tip" are not interchangeable terms.
In a TikTok video that gained significant traction, the waitress, who identified herself as Daisy, explained her perspective on how charges are distributed in restaurants. She argued that an "automatic gratuity" added to a bill is often a pool of funds that servers must then use to pay other staff members, such as bartenders and barbacks, who assist in providing service. Therefore, she stated, a separate "tip" should still be offered to the server if they provided good service.
"Gratuity is gratuity, and a tip is a tip," Daisy stated in the video. "Out of that gratuity, the waitress has to pay the bartender, the person making your drink. Out of that gratuity, the server also has to pay the barback, the people who help clean up [and] make sure the tables stay clean."
She further elaborated, "So when I give someone a receipt and they look at me and say ‘gratuity is included,’ I say, ‘gratuity is included, but a tip is not.'" Her stance suggests that customers should still consider tipping their server directly, even when an automatic gratuity is applied, if they are satisfied with the service received.
The video generated thousands of comments across social media platforms, with many users expressing differing opinions. Some social media users argued that "gratuity" is simply a formal term for a "tip" and that servers should address issues of fund distribution with their employers. Others felt that expecting an additional tip on top of an automatic gratuity is unreasonable and that tipping should remain optional.
This debate touches upon broader frustrations among American consumers regarding tipping practices. A survey from Popmenu indicated that a significant majority of customers find current tipping expectations excessive, with many feeling pressured to tip even for poor service. The rise of digital payment screens has also been cited as a factor, with many customers reporting feeling compelled to leave a tip when prompted by a payment terminal.
Recent data suggests a shift in consumer behavior, with a Talker Research survey noting a decrease in what Americans spend on "guilt-induced tipping" between 2024 and 2025. These discussions highlight an ongoing re-evaluation of tipping customs and customer expectations in the United States.