Internet users have praised a woman for standing up to what they see as an excessive practice: the adding of 20% tips to Subway orders.
An outspoken lady from Washington State is speaking out during a visit to her neighborhood Subway. She (u/CardiologistSilly 926) described her visit to the well-known sandwich restaurant chain in a Reddit post.
A footlong sub was ordered by each of her two nieces, while she and her husband ordered a pretzel. She received her cup and a straw so that she could fill it up herself.
Something that did not become apparent until she was ready to pay was an automatic 20% tip ($8.51) applied to the total at checkout.
The woman became upset and said she does not tip at places where she is required to stand in line to order and get her meal and drink. Not only that, she is required to clean up after herself. She said that the mandated fee went too far, and in Washington, the minimum hourly rate is $16.28.
Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert, echoed the woman’s sentiments, acknowledging the reality of tipping weariness and the aggravating prevalence of tipping opportunities. A gratuity, like a tip jar, is entirely optional when ordering coffee, bagels, or sandwiches at the counter. This client had every right to request a price adjustment and was under no obligation to provide a gratuity for standard service.
However, she might request an adjustment to the gratuity if it was automatically applied at a table service restaurant, but not its removal, as servers rely on tips as a source of income if they earn less than minimum wage.
Wage minimums are enforced for counter personnel. Though not required, a gratuity should be graciously accepted.
The Redditors who responded shared this view.
Tipping is becoming increasingly prevalent, with some criticizing the addition of tips without permission and calling it illegal. Others argue that tips should be earned, not automatic and that customers should have the option to pay extra for better service. They also argue that automatic tips or gratuities cannot be automatic or mandatory, as they are considered a surcharge.
