On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video captured a moment showing a customer upset over an automatic tip added to the bill.
A heated debate has ignited online after a customer’s reaction to an automatic tip at a restaurant went viral.
While some believe gratuity should always be included, others argue tipping should remain a choice.
The incident: A customer questions “who is gratuity?”
A TikTok user, @binkssofamous, sparked controversy after dining at the Sugar Factory restaurant. She noticed a $44 (£34.50) tip automatically added to her bill.
In her viral video, which has over four million views, she held up her receipt and asked staff: “Who the f**k is gratuity and why is it $44?”
One waitress awkwardly explained, “It’s a tip,” leaving the customer visibly frustrated.
In the video caption, the TikToker expressed her irritation, writing: “Nahhhh the @Sugar Factory got me a lil TIGHT !!!!! Tf is GRADTITY !!!!!!!!”
Why do restaurants add automatic gratuity?
In both the US and UK, many restaurants include a discretionary service charge on bills. This is especially common for large parties.
The automatic charge, often referred to as “gratuity,” is entirely legal. However, diners can ask for it to be removed if they wish.
For some, this practice eliminates the awkwardness of calculating tips. Others feel it takes away their choice to reward good service.
Social media divided over automatic tips
The TikTok clip sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. Some supported automatic tipping, while others felt it should remain optional.
One person said: sugar factory adds 20% automatically which is insane.
A second wrote: Any place that automatically applies gratuity I just have them remove it. Tips are based on service.
While a third commented: Gratuity is perfectly fine but don’t think I’m adding a tip on the tip.
Another added: I loved having auto gratuity and the look on people’s faces that weren’t planning to tip well.
Someone else said: Whoever says I tip according to service was NEVER gonna tip to begin with!!
Arguments against automatic gratuity
Not everyone agreed with the practice. One commenter wrote: “Any place that automatically applies gratuity, I just have them remove it. Tips are based on service.”
Another added: “The fact that they force a tip is crazy. A tip should be earned, not mandatory.”
A third pointed out: “Most restaurants don’t tell customers that tips are included. This leads to unnecessary embarrassment for everyone involved.”
Should restaurants add gratuity automatically?
The debate boils down to fairness versus choice. Supporters argue that automatic tips guarantee staff are compensated for their hard work. Critics believe tipping should always be discretionary and based on service quality.
For restaurant staff, tips often make up a significant portion of their income. Without automatic gratuity, some diners may leave little or no tip.
On the other hand, many diners feel forced tipping removes their ability to reward exceptional service or withhold tips for poor experiences.
The question of whether gratuity should be automatically added to restaurant bills remains controversial. For some, it ensures fairness for staff. For others, it feels like an imposition.
As dining habits evolve, restaurants may need to communicate tipping policies more clearly to avoid misunderstandings. Until then, this debate is unlikely to end anytime soon.
What’s your take? Should gratuity always be included, or should tipping remain a personal choice?