A server has sparked a fiery debate after calling out customers who don’t leave the standard 20% tip.
In a viral TikTok clip, Ben Raanan—known online as @blazikenben—didn’t hold back, labeling small tips like $5 or $10 on larger bills as “not cute.” His blunt honesty quickly ignited a backlash, with many viewers taking sides.
Curious to see how heated this tipping controversy got? Keep reading.
Ben’s rant shines a spotlight on tipping expectations, which, while rooted in traditions from the Middle Ages, have now become a firmly established norm. Most servers expect around 20%—unless the service truly falls short.
In a viral TikTok video, server Ben Raanan didn’t hold back as he called out “bad tippers” for leaving stingy tips in today’s economy. He started strong: “If you’re a bad tipper, listen up.”
Ben pointed out that with inflation driving up prices, a $10 tip isn’t the generous gesture it used to be. He bluntly dismissed small tips as “not fun and cute,” saying, “You can’t just leave a little cute $5, a little cute $10 for your server and think that’s like fun and cute. It’s not.”
He stressed that tips should match the total bill — for example, leaving $10 on a $50 tab equals a fair 20%. But when customers tip far less on larger bills? According to Ben, that’s downright insulting to servers who rely on those tips.
Ben even encouraged his fellow servers to speak up when faced with low tips. Before signing off, he shared a quick tip-calculating hack to help customers figure out the right 20% amount.
Unsurprisingly, the video ignited a heated debate. Some viewers stood firmly behind Ben’s call for fair tipping, while others slammed him as “entitled” and argued tipping should be voluntary — not a given. Several critics suggested that servers unhappy with their tips should consider different careers, while others blamed restaurant owners for low wages.
One TikTok user chimed in: “I’m so tired of servers being sooooo entitled; inflation affects us all.” Another questioned why the 20% tipping standard even exists, insisting it shouldn’t be mandatory.
The economic squeeze also came up, with some pointing out that many simply can’t afford bigger tips in today’s climate.
And then there were those confused by the idea of tipping more based on a meal’s cost, asking, “The service is the same no matter what you order, so why should the tip change?”
What’s your take on this tipping tussle? Jump into the conversation and share your thoughts below!
