06/23/2026
🍽️😬 Tipping used to feel pretty simple.
You got good service, you left a tip. End of story.
Now it feels like some restaurants are turning tipping into a requirement before you've even ordered.
I recently saw a sign that announced a 20% automatic gratuity on every check—no exceptions. It even answered the questions in advance:
• No, it won't be removed.
• No, you don't need to tip more.
• Yes, times are tough.
• Yes, staff deserve to be paid.
And honestly, that's where the debate starts.
Most people aren't against tipping. Most people understand that restaurant staff work hard and deserve fair compensation. The frustration comes when a "tip" no longer feels optional and starts looking more like a mandatory charge added on top of the menu price.
Food costs are already higher than ever. Add taxes, service fees, credit card fees, and automatic gratuities, and a lot of customers feel like the price on the menu is no longer the real price of the meal.
The bigger question is whether restaurants should continue relying on tips to make up a large portion of employee pay, or simply build those costs into their prices from the beginning.
Because when customers feel pressured before they've even sat down, the dining experience starts off on the wrong foot.
What do you think?
Has tipping culture gone too far, or are automatic gratuities a fair way to make sure restaurant workers are properly compensated? 👇🤔🍴