A woman got in trouble online after not leaving a full tip at a restaurant in Texas. Instead of tipping, they left a “scoopy token,” as they wrote in the video’s description. What started as a joke about giving a server “free ice cream” devolved into a heated debate in the comments section.
@purple.banana223 thought they were making a joking video about going out to eat at a local spot, but it turned into something much bigger. The video now has more than 831,000 views and more than a thousand comments debating tipping culture.
So, is it ever appropriate to leave a “scoopy token” as a tip for a server?
What is a ‘scoopy token,’ anyway?
A “scoopy token”—actually spelled “scoopie token”—is a coupon for redeemable prizes and items at Culver’s. They are freebies that usually come with Culver’s kids’ meals. Generally, you need 10 scoopie tokens to get a prize.
One scoopie token can be redeemed for a single ice cream scoop, but most customers just get ice cream alongside their kids’ meal instead of using them for custard. Every kid’s meal comes with ice cream, after all. The coupon essentially guarantees “additional” ice cream for a later visit.
Can a server meaningfully use a ‘scoopie’ token
One scoop of custard costs $2.59 at Culver’s, so @purple.banana223 essentially left a redeemable $2.59 coupon for the server. But their server will have to go to a Culver’s to redeem the item. In order for the coupon to have any value, it ultimately has to be used at a Culver’s location. Those limitations make it a bad tip overall.
@purple.banana223 did leave actual money on the table, so it is possible they left a tip alongside the scoopie token. While they appear to be paying for the tip using a $20 bill, there is still a chance the server got something valuable out of their table.
@purple.banana223 the margaritas are running us dry @clairegeidel2022 @Culver’s ♬ Blue Danube Waltz – The London Symphony Orchestra
Tipping culture—too far or not enough?
In @purple.banana223’s comments section, a borderline fight started. Despite the original video’s humorous tone, many people were quick to flame the TikTok user for contributing to bad tipping culture.
Even comments like, “Watch out the tip police are in the comments,” got flamed by additional commenters, with multiple replies accusing the user of being “broke.”
Some people left comments saying, “Let’s not [normalize] doing this. Some servers actually need the money if you cannot afford to tip so do not go out to eat!”
Others said, “Too many margaritas is not an excuse to leave a free ice scream scoop as a tip. Real classy.” A commenter replied saying, “As a server, to all the people who don’t tip, baby it’s OKAY !! Don’t listen to these rude, entitled, horrible people in the comments. (Like the commenter above).” It started a heated exchange where the original commenter questioned the replier’s work environment and attitude toward tipping.
Research from the Pew Research Center suggests that Americans are becoming less interested in tipping culture, despite seventy-two percent of U.S. adults expressing that restaurants expect a tip.
Many customers want tips to be optional or feel the “tipflation conversation” has gone too far. “This tipping conversation has gotten to the point that it’s genuinely disturbing, ” said one commenter. “Why are you defending corporations and the government for allowing wait staff to be underpaid? It does not matter if it’s standard in this country supplementing your income is not my responsibility. If it is that detrimental to you, contact your local congressman and see what bills are in place to change those laws.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to @purple.banana223 and Culver’s for comment.
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