A video showing a heated exchange between an Evanston, Illinois, restaurant owner and a customer has sparked a broader conversation about tipping culture in America.
Kenny Chou, who owns Table to Stix Ramen, admits he lost his temper on April 19 when he confronted the customer outside his restaurant for not leaving a tip. The dispute was captured on a smart phone and spread quickly on social media.
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Chou now regrets “bringing shame to my wife as a husband, as an owner. At the same time, to my mom and dad,” he reflected to CBS News Chicago in a story published April 24.
The incident has stoked debate over a question that seems to grow more divisive by the day: when is tipping expected and when is it optional?
Online fallout and owner’s apology
Backlash following the video was swift. The restaurant deactivated its social media accounts and stopped taking calls. Yelp was also closely monitoring its review page. Messages written in chalk appeared on the sidewalk outside the restaurant accusing the establishment of being anti-Black, according to the local broadcaster.
Chou says the confrontation began when he followed the customer, described as a regular, into the street, intending to tell him he was no longer welcome at the restaurant after he declined to leave a tip multiple times.
“I paid for my food. I handed you $20. You cannot charge more than what the menu says, so what are you talking about?” the customer explained in the video.
According to CBS News Chicago, when asked why he didn’t tip, the customer explained online: “Oh, I just didn’t want to.”
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Chou has since made efforts to extend an olive branch. He says the customer’s brother visited the restaurant and they had a productive conversation. Chou sent him home with a handwritten apology, the customer’s favorite dish and an offer to reconnect.
“My door is open for you, man. You know, come on by anytime,” Chou said.
Tipping fatigue and rising frustration
The incident hits a nerve at a time when tipping has become increasingly controversial. High prices have led to some consumers tightening their belts. Many Americans have become exhausted by today’s tipping culture.
A survey commissioned by Bankrate in 2024 found that 59% of U.S. adults have a negative view of tipping, while over one in three (35%) feel things have been taken too far. In addition, around 37% of consumers believe businesses should simply pay employees more rather than rely on tips.
While consumers may be feeling the pinch, service industry workers are, too. Tips often make up a large portion of their income, especially in states where employers can pay them below minimum wage.
This financial tug-of-war is also generational. Bankrate’s tipping survey found that 23% of Gen Z respondents feel tipping has gotten out of control, vs. 40% of Gen X and 46% of baby boomer respondents. In a twist, however, it’s noted that 35% of Gen Z respondents always tip at sit-down restaurants, whereas 56% of millennial, 78% of Gen X and 86% of boomer respondents do the same.
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