Amelia (30F) shared a recent dining experience that highlights the complexities of tipping and customer service. She and her husband (30M) went to a restaurant to celebrate his promotion, and everything went well until the end. When the check arrived, Amelia left a $10 tip on an $85 bill. The waitress picked up the money and sneered, “Ten bucks? This isn’t the 1950s anymore, you know.” Amelia was stunned by her condescending tone. “I think 10 bucks on an $85 bill is more than fair,” she responded. The waitress rolled her eyes and retorted, “It’s a standard 20% tip these days, cheapskate. Do you not know how to calculate that?”

Amelia, now angry, replied, “With that kind of nasty attitude, you don’t deserve a tip at all!” She then took back the $10 bill. The situation escalated as the waitress began loudly berating Amelia, causing a scene. The manager had to remove the waitress, and Amelia and her husband left without leaving a tip. Amelia admits she might have overreacted but feels the waitress’s behavior was unacceptable. Amelia shared her thoughts, “That $10 was over 11%, which is a decent tip by any measure. Her entitlement really rubbed me the wrong way.” The waitress’s public confrontation left the couple embarrassed and upset, overshadowing their celebratory evening. This incident raises important questions about tipping etiquette and handling conflict in service situations. Should Amelia have maintained her composure, or was her reaction justified given the waitress’s attitude? The debate continues as others weigh in on how to navigate such situations without escalating the conflict.