Tipping culture is the one thing American society has been unable to make up its mind about. While almost everyone can agree that it’s always a good practice to chip in a little extra if that is what it takes for restaurant staff to make ends meet, almost just as many people would argue that sometimes it goes too far. A recent interaction at a Schlotzsky’s Deli had many on X calling contemporary tipping culture an elaborate “shakedown.”
The video that started such a storm online was from a man who was sitting in his car, describing the experience he had just had while ordering a sandwich at Schlotzsky’s. He said that he hadn’t been to the restaurant in almost 15 years, but what he remembered was that the deli made sandwiches that he enjoyed most.
But when he walked into the chain, there was no table service, no waiter taking orders or bringing plates, and no ongoing interaction — just a screen prompting him to first pay the kitchen staff a tip. This was even before he made his order, leaving him stunned.
People were on his side
He then says, “So I’m thinking if I don’t tip the kitchen staff, will I get a booger sandwich? I’m not cool with that.” He continues, “Why must we tip when we’re not being waited on?”
Tipping culture is completely out of control.
— DocumentingLibs (@HistorianUSA1) July 30, 2026
Guy walks into a deli for a sandwich he hasn’t had in 15 years… and the machine asks him to tip the kitchen crew before he even gets his food.
No server. No table service. Just “tip us or maybe get a booger sandwich.”
Why the hell… pic.twitter.com/l1JQQrJPaI
One user wrote, “It’s because the business doesn’t want to pick up the slack and just pay their employees better. Customer service jobs are already hurting for good people. A lot of these companies are filthy rich and can easily afford it. Don’t worry though, soon enough they’ll be asking for a tip even when AI and computers are doing everything.”
It’s because the business doesn’t want to pick up the slack and just pay their employees better.
— DarkChrisTopher (@DarkChrisBurner) July 30, 2026
Customer service jobs are already hurting for good people. A lot of these companies are filthy rich and can easily afford it.
Don’t worry though, soon enough they’ll be asking for a…
Another added, “It’s absolutely ridiculous to ask for a tip for takeout. If you pay cash, you won’t have to deal with those annoying screens. And don’t ever pay up front.”
It’s absolutely ridiculous to ask for a tip for takeout. If you pay cash, you won’t have to deal with those annoying screens. And don’t ever pay up front.
— Kelly (@RebelChick66) July 30, 2026
Lately, there have been multiple instances of people having issues with tipping culture throughout the country. And it seems to be coming from every person involved in the service industry.
Some restaurants penalize people who don’t tip
There was a waiter at Olive Garden whose tip was withheld by her manager because it was too high — and when she complained, she lost her job. Some restaurants in New York are now even adding penalties for frequent customers who are known not to tip. The topic is getting more and more controversial, with both customers and the service industry unable to find a middle ground.
One user on X suggested that there’s an opportunity for a restaurant to take advantage of this debate. They wrote, “Any restaurant that has a no-tipping policy and pays their workers a nice wage will do well. I’d pay higher prices to support the higher wages.”
Any restaurant that has a no-tipping policy and pays their workers a nice wage wage will do well. I'd pay higher prices to support the higher wages.
— Liberty and Justice for all? (@BostonVegHead) July 31, 2026
For now, it seems the debate is angling toward whether it’s the owners of these restaurants who are actually just not paying their staff a livable wage. There’s also the discussion of whether a customer using screen orders should even have to hear a discussion about tips. Because in that instance, the staff that was apparently too expensive for the business owners to pay liveable wages no longer exist.
Perhaps someone needs to actually experiment with the no-tipping restaurant model so that people can see if it can survive the U.S. market.
