We’ve reached a tipping point: self-service kiosks are asking for tips, while shoppers feel pressure to tip cashiers who don’t cook a thing. At restaurants, where a tip of 15 to 20% has been standard for decades, suggested tips are climbing higher and higher. In a viral incident earlier this month, TikTok creator BD Powell … Read more
Here’s a tip that no one asked for. A self-identified waitress recently took to social media with a simple message for patrons: gratuity is not a tip. “Gratuity is gratuity, and a tip is a tip,” the woman said in a TikTok video that’s made the rounds on social media, reigniting the heated discussion surrounding … Read more
A YouTuber put Beverly Hills’ famously deep pockets to the test by spending a day delivering food around the ritzy California enclave — and walked away with a whopping $346 after scoring some jaw-dropping tips. YouTuber iamBrandon headed to the 90210 armed with a delivery bag, a $150 secondhand e-bike and zero previous DoorDash or … Read more
Princess Cruises is introducing stricter booking policies, including higher deposits and earlier final payment deadlines, fueling mixed reactions among travelers. Among the biggest changes is an update to the timeline for final payments, the cruise line confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Beginning with new bookings for sailings departing in 2027 and beyond, we … Read more
Golden State diners may be all about sunshine — but when it comes to tipping, they’re leaving servers in the shade. California diners tipped less than any other state in the nation, according to a new report that ranked the Bear Flag State dead last in restaurant generosity. The state’s overall tip rate came in … Read more
Enough is enough. There’s no denying that tipping culture in America has gotten out of hand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $7 coffee or a hefty bill at a bougie restaurant — everyone’s hands are extended out asking for a gratuity. It’s a hot topic that everyone seems to have an opinion on, including … Read more
Passengers of Celebrity Cruises are pushing back after the cruise line raised its automatic gratuity charges with little notice, with some guests threatening to remove their payment of the fees altogether and tip crew members in cash instead. As of July 29, guests who do not prepay the gratuities will automatically pay between $19.50 and $24.50 per … Read more
Don’t forget to tip your robots. A hungry Popeyes customer visited the Great Lakes Crossing mall location in Auburn Hills, Michigan and ordered his meal at a kiosk. When it was time to pay, the self-service machine asked for a tip. The diner, who posted the exchange on a popular Facebook group called Retail Dead … Read more
Furious foodies are at tipping point. Publicly shaming patrons into leaving hefty tips for waiters is, apparently, not the slam-dunk strategy one restauranteur had hoped it would be. Now, cheesed-off chowhounds are viciously, virally blasting the boneheaded boss for bullying customers to pay his staff a decent salary. “Our servers make $3.50 [per hour]…If you can’t afford … Read more
They’re serving up attitude. A clip of two wait staffers discussing customer habits has sparked a debate on social media, after a restaurant rage bait post went viral on X. Right-wing shock jockey Royce Lopez reposted the clip from another account that allegedly featured fed-up food servers discussing the frustrating FOH (“front of house”) lifestyle. … Read more
Papa John’s is under fire for guilt-tripping messaging on their pizza delivery boxes as tipping fatigue continues to enrage customers. A viral video posted on TikTok by @sydneeee___ exposed the blatant ask, “DELIVERY FEE IS NOT A TIP. Please reward your driver for outstanding service,” and spawned thousands of comments from users who collectively feel … Read more
A Los Angeles-based food delivery driver has gone viral after sharing that she has significantly boosted her daily earnings by including her feet in the delivery confirmation photos sent to customers. Jade Phoenix shared the unique strategy on the social media platform Threads, claiming the side quest has led to a surge in customers adding … Read more
For American travelers, tipping may feel second nature, but in Europe, that instinct can backfire. While navigating new currencies and customs, small gestures like leaving loose change on a table may not translate well, travel expert Rick Steves warned. “You’re just raising the bar and messing up the local balance,” Steves wrote in a blog post. “And it’s … Read more
Here’s a tip for restaurant goers. As more restaurants adopt digital payment systems that automatically suggest a gratuity option, debate has heated up over whether those tips should be calculated pre- or post-tax. The topic of tipping and proper etiquette has long been a cultural debate, but the discussion drew recent attention after a Dave … Read more
As more restaurants experiment with eliminating tips, the idea of a no-tip dining model is gaining traction — but not without resistance from some industry professionals who fear it could drag down service. The shift is a response to growing frustration among diners. Hidden fees, service charges, and inflated gratuities have left many customers feeling blindsided when … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My daughter “Kate” is 22 and just recently graduated from college. She has been dating her boyfriend for five years. I love this young man like he was my own. The problem is, I just found out Kate has been seeing someone on the side. He is her boss, and he’s 54 years … Read more
As tipping prompts pop up everywhere — from coffee counters to convenience stores — many Americans are feeling fed up and confused about what’s appropriate. Now, even former NFL star JJ Watt is weighing in. Watt recently ignited debate on X after questioning whether to tip in a self-service scenario. He asked followers what they would do … Read more
Busted, Buster! Customers are accusing Dave & Buster’s of running a tipping “scam” by covertly inflating the 20% standard. A Reddit user shared that she went to the dinner-and-arcade emporium with their sister, boyfriend and nephew, and the sister was planning on paying the bill but didn’t have her physical card. Staff brought them the … Read more
Americans may be feeling “tip fatigue,” but most are still leaving gratuities for a range of services — and where they live appears to shape how much they give, according to a new report. South Carolina tops the list, with an average tip rate of 20.71%, making it the only state to surpass the 20% … Read more
Sticks and stones may break your bones — but they won’t heal as easily past a certain age. New research has found the “point of no return” when we no longer recover as well from illness and injury, no matter how strong and healthy you may feel. A new study has found an average age … Read more