Young woman calls out ridiculous act at Australian cafes: ‘We’re not the US’
A young woman has blasted Australia’s tipping culture, questioning why diners should leave a little extra cash for basic orders.
Queensland woman Phoebe Parsons said she was shocked by the number of places she was asked to tip during a recent visit to Sydney.
“Since when did tipping become something you suddenly decided you did everywhere?” she asked in a TikTok video.
‘Absolutely not. I’m not tipping you for doing the bare minimum work expected of you when getting a takeaway coffee, like we’re not in the United States, you make a good amount of money per hour. They earn less than the minimum wage.’
Mrs. Parsons told it Yahoo it felt ‘presumptuous to be asked for a tip before the service has been provided’.
“For exceptional service, I always prefer to give cash directly to the host/server to ensure it goes directly to the host who provided the service I’m tipping for,” she said.
Australians were generally expected to tip 10 percent on a large lunch or dinner, but the cost of living crisis has left many scrambling to watch every penny of their money.
Ms Parsons received strong support for her position.
Phoebe Parsons visits Sydney catering establishments because she expects tips for basic work
‘I live in Sydney and I never tip! I will always press zero and overwrite the machine if I can,” said one commenter.
Another wrote: ‘I’m literally not going to tip anyone for doing their job! No, no, no! They get paid well enough.’
‘Omg Cairns is the same!!! And on weekends they also charge a 10% “surcharge”! It’s crazy!’ said another.
Australians were generally expected to tip 10 percent on a large lunch or dinner, but the cost of living crisis has left many watching every penny of their money.
This commenter added: ‘Same goes for Woolies, they want you to make a donation at the end of a store. Like a “nah” to me.”
Tony Green, chief executive of the Australian Food Service Advocacy Body, said tips were helping businesses stay afloat.
“The tips often go directly to the employees, and not to the company itself,” he said.
‘But it does help with retention and that is very important.
‘If employees receive a bonus for providing good service, they will hopefully stay with that company longer. And that indirectly helps companies if they have good, reliable employees in their company.’