Via iStockphoto / @imjennyfromtheshop TikTok
From active calls to reduce tip percentages to people plead for better wages for serversmany in the US are aware that the catering industry is changing. One family up Olive garden gave one tip what they thought it was industry standardonly to leave interrogate whether they got the facts right.
The family went to Olive garden for a meal that resulted in a $113 bill. Then their server thanked them profusely for their 20% tip, leaving them confused.
Jenny (@imjennyfromtheshop) says she has received a number of thanks and words of appreciation from her server, who works at a Olive garden in North Richland Hills, Texas. She explains in a video with more than 313,000 views that the interaction left her wondering, “What is everyone’s normal tip percentage at restaurants right now?”
Why was the Olive Garden employee so happy with the tip?
Jenny says she and her family went to Olive Garden for a quick dinner. In total, they ordered an appetizer and dinner for each family member.
When they received the bill it was over $100. Jenny says she left a 20% tip on a tablet.
“I always have, unless the service is just abnormally terrible. They didn’t care about us and never came around,” Jenny says. “Like, that’s…I honestly don’t even remember that being the case. But I’ll leave a 20% tip on the bottom line and sign the check.”
Jenny says she thought this was normal. But the waiter came over to her family and personally thanked her for the tip. Later, while the content creator’s children were eating dessert, she said the server came back and asked if they wanted anything to drink. After asking, she says he thanked them again for the tip.
About five minutes later, the server came back, she continues. She says he showed the family a photo of his daughter and told them their tip went to her.
Then Jenny thought about the situation.
“We’re walking to our car, and I’m talking to my husband, and I’m thinking, ‘Don’t people tip 20% anymore?’” she remembers asking.
What is the current tip standard?
Jenny’s tendency to tip 20% as a starting point is at the high end of the tipping standard in the hospitality industry, according to TipWhiz. Publications like Bankrate have previously recommended tipping minimum 18%. Tipping a little more is free for good service, while tipping closer to 15% is customary even if the service is not up to par, according to USA today.
Many people have argued that 20% is the right tip at most restaurants and is the new industry standard.
Viewers in the comments section of Jenny’s post gave their own tip recommendations to the content creator.
“I’m a server and I would say my tips average between 20 and 24%. As a person, I tip based on service,” said one viewer.
However, another viewer took an opposite position.
“Tipping is optional, always has been and will remain so,” they said.
Olive Garden servers carry a lot of weight
Many current and former Olive Garden servers have shared what their tips usually are like.
“As an Olive Garden server, it’s very rare for our guests to tip 20% and it’s really annoying because we have endless refills that people take advantage of and don’t tip well,” said one viewer. “Someone gave me a $25 gift card today and they also gave $20 on the card. I had to make sure they were planning on doing that lol.”
Another commenter even said they stopped working at Olive Garden because they weren’t getting enough tips on bulk orders.
“I stopped going to Olive Garden a few weeks ago because people just don’t tip. I always averaged 22%, but if people only get water, soup and salad their bill is like $22, so I get about a $4-5 tip,” they said. “For all the running around at Olive Garden, it’s just not worth it. Plus, you can only use a maximum of 3 tables. So my night shifts would average about $40-50 for 6 hours.”
@imjennyfromtheshop Okay, but I need to know… what’s everyone’s normal tip percentage at restaurants right now? 👀🍽️ Between the rising restaurant prices, fast casual checkout screens asking for tips, and everyone having different opinions on tipping culture… I feel like this conversation is getting HEATED quickly 😂 Are you a strict 20% tipper anyway? Do you tip based on service? Do you also tip at coffee shops and takeaway meals? I need honest answers because apparently everyone does this differently. Write the rules for tipping in your restaurant below 👇 #tippingculture #restauranttalk #serverlife #restauranttips #creatorsearchinsights
♬ original sound – jennyfromtheshop
BroBible reached out to Jenny via direct message on TikTok and Olive Garden via email for more information.
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