A restaurant server who endured a two-hour ordeal with a loud and disruptive group was left stunned when they refused to leave a tip, claiming, “We’re students and can’t afford it.”

Reddit users threw their support behind the server and slammed the restaurant’s manager amid more than 100 comments this week.

Animal Noises

The original poster (OP) explained that the group of seven young diners was rowdy, using excessive profanity and making animal noises while ordering the most expensive entrees and desserts.

Their behavior disturbed other patrons so much that two older couples opted to take their meals to-go rather than remain in the eatery.

Despite holding onto their bill for half an hour, the group eventually flagged the server down and told them that they would not be tipping.

The server maintained their professionalism, responding with, “No problem. Have a good night.”

Though the encounter was frustrating, another table that witnessed the situation left the server a $50 tip as a gesture of support.

The incident sparked the latest discussion about tipping culture, with some Reddit users pointing out that the “coward” manager should have intervened.

“Your manager needs to grow a spine!” one critic declared on behalf of that cohort.

Another user shared their own experience working in a more assertive restaurant environment, saying, “I kicked a whole table of just 21s that were acting up during the Super Bowl.

“My boss walked out and just said, ‘Need help?’ I said, ‘Get them the [expletive] out of here.’ He did.”

To Tip or Not To Tip

The refusal to tip aligns with a broader debate over the role of gratuities in the service industry.

A Newsweek survey conducted in September 2024 found that 73% of Americans believe tipping should be optional, while only 22% think it should be mandatory.

Generational attitudes vary—Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to favor mandatory tipping, while older generations overwhelmingly prefer it to remain optional.

Mary King, a former restaurant manager and editor of The Restaurant HQ, told Newsweek that tipping remains a complex issue.

“Unraveling tip culture will be much more complicated than most people imagine,” she said.

“In survey after survey, the majority of tipped workers prefer tip-based models over alternatives, making any shift away from tipping a challenge.”

Historically, tipping in the United States has been deeply ingrained since the 19th century, originally introduced by wealthy Americans returning from Europe.

Over time, it became a standard in industries where workers were paid below minimum wage, relying on tips to supplement their earnings.

The Reality of Low-Paid Service Work

For many restaurant workers, tips are essential to making a livable wage.

One former waitress, Sarah Walsh, shared her experience in a Newsweek article, describing how she once earned only $2 per hour and often left work with as little as $15 in tips after an entire shift.

“I was expected to tip out the bartender, the kitchen staff and the busboys,” Walsh said.

“On a good night, I made as much as $200, but on slower nights, I barely made anything.”

She noted that some customers openly told her they refused to tip because they believed restaurants should pay their employees a fair wage instead.

‘Flip the script’

A user in the comments section urged the OP to “flip the script” by telling the students that they were a student too.

“You’re barely making ends meet and anything they could contribute would be helpful in you paying rent and eating,” the user continued.

“Give them the big puppy dog eyes and massively awkward silence.”

The OP replied: “Nooo. Why didn’t I do this?”

Newsweek has contacted the OP for comment via Reddit.

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