Texas Roadhouse server says he had to pay out of pocket when customers didn’t tip, sparking debate

The internet is filled with discussions about how tipping culture in the U.S. has gone out of hand. What used to be a gesture of gratitude by customers for servers has now become an annoying expectation prevalent in many businesses. Many on social media talk about how they are looked down upon when they refuse to tip. But from a server's perspective, it seems fair. Texas Roadhouse server Keven Manochit shared his frustration on TikTok when a customer left him zero dollars as a tip. In just a few days, this video garnered nearly 250K views while also sparking a debate.

In the six-second video, Manochit showed us a customer's bill. The entire meal came up to $98 and the customer chose to leave zero bucks as a tip. "Zero f*****g dollars!" exclaimed the server and added, "That means I had to pay out of pocket to serve these foods." In the text overlay, Manochit mentioned how customers who don't tip cause the servers to pay the bartenders, bussers, or other support staff from their own pockets. The server's frustration was relatable to many other employees from the service industry who supported his view of tipping. However, this did not sit well with many customers who implied that servers cannot blame the customers for their poor wages. 

"Every table we serve, we have to give a percentage of the sales from that check to bartenders/bussers, etc. So when you don’t tip, whatever percentage is coming off that check, I have to pay for," commented @bossybottom10. "I wish people understood this more!!! If I have 1k of food sales at my restaurant that means I pay $50 even if I didn’t get tipped that much the whole day," wrote @serans_. "I’m always thinking if you’re not going to tip please don’t rack up the bill so I don’t have to pay as much for serving them," commented @gabbyyyylocaa.

"I always tip but I don’t understand the logic in picking a job where you may not be tipped. If it’s make or break for you, I think it would make sense to find a different job," commented @xoxogellssss. "Post videos of the tips you do get. I know a lot of people in the server community and even on bad days they are still taking home decent tips. One guy I work with serves part-time at his friend’s restaurant and will make more than he does at his regular job in one night on tips alone," wrote @deekayarr. "People think that just because you're a good waiter or waitress you're supposed to get tipped. If you don’t make enough money, find a different job and stop trying to take it out on customers!" commented @lowkey_makaylaa.

In a follow-up video, Manochit explained more about how servers feel about customers who don't tip. In this controversial video, the server addressed people who don't tip even if they often go to the same restaurant and also complain about the bad service they received. Manochit attributes the bad service to the lack of tipping. "We know you don't tip and that's exactly why we serve you the way we serve you," he said. Though people constantly dispute Manochit's opinions, he continues to put forward his perspective as a server. 

You can follow Keven Manochit (@kevenmanochit) on TikTok for more videos about parenthood and life as a server.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 3, 2024. It has since been updated.