Americans are trying to explain tipping culture after a post saying Europeans refused to tip on a $288 check blew up online

• Americans have taken to TikTok to explain tipping after a creator appeared to criticize the practice.
• The conversation was sparked by a viral post saying European patrons declined to leave a tip.

People are using TikTok to explain US tipping culture in response to a mega-viral post on X, formerly Twitter, which said a group of European patrons walked out after a costly meal without leaving a tip behind.

On September 21, an X user who goes by @_madisontayt shared an image of what appeared to be a check that amounted to $288.52 with a pen mark crossed through the tip section. The X user wrote alongside the photo, "these european bastards said 'sorry we don't tip', laughed, and walked out" and that they should "close the borders to europeans NOW."

The post blew up with over 65.8 million views, as users debated whether or not it was necessary to tip, and if so what percentage would be acceptable, as different countries have a different practice. The X user declined to comment for this article.

The discourse soon made its way to TikTok, as a user who goes by @justsaywhateverman, who appears to be based in the UK, responded to the post and seemingly criticized the sentiment in the X post.

In a video that is now unavailable to view, but was partially re-uploaded by other users, the TikToker said "American people make me laugh so much" and implied they disagreed with the idea that customers should feel pressured into tipping, arguing that people should push for legislation to increase the base salary for servers instead.

The video prompted a strong response from many TikTokers who appeared to be from the US and explained how their system worked, and why visitors should participate in tipping. Multiple users said US workers aren't happy with their tipping system either but the burden isn't on them to change it, and emphasized that given the current system, tourists should tip accordingly when visiting.

A TikToker who goes by @beezella posted a prominent response saying not tipping servers because you don't like the concept didn't work as a form of protest against it, as it does a disservice to the staff. The post received over 330 comments, many of which agreed and felt that since the tipping system was unlikely to change anytime soon, in the meantime people should continue to support workers, including tourists.

A TikToker who goes by @beautybysonalii also highlighted how little servers were often paid, and how much they relied on the tips as part of their salary. Another user, who said they had previously worked in a restaurant, echoed this sentiment in a popular video that highlighted how there was an expectation in European countries for US visitors to be respectful and abide by their norms, and suggested European visitors should do the same when visiting the US too.

While tipping throughout Europe is often viewed as optional, it's considered "almost obligatory" in the US, according to Jaime Peters, Maryville University's assistant dean of accounting, finance and economics, partly because tips contbute more towards a worker's pay, especially when it comes to service roles, CNBC reported.

According to the US Department of Labor, federal minimum wage is $7.25, but workers who receive tips can be paid as little as $2.13 an hour, Insider previously reported.

The TikToker who goes by @justsaywhateverman did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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