People sick of 'unAustralian' trend entering Aussie dining scene

"I'll decide if you did a good enough job"

With the rising cost of living, the price of dining at a restaurant is bad enough as it is - so bad that it’s stopped many people from going out in the first place.

But, lately Aussies have been struck with an additional epidemic, in the form of tipping culture.

Tipping culture, whilst common in countries like the US, where additional payment from customers is required to provide staff with a living wage, has never been customary here in Australia - apparently until now.

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Image: Reddit.

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“I don’t like tips being forced on me”

A Sydney local has taken to Reddit after realising a tip had been added to his bill automatically.

The man said that he took his wife to Sofitel Wentworth for dinner, and had a great experience. However, the ending ruined it all.

“We got to the end and asked for the bill. Waiter comes over with the bill and points out that he has added a 7% tip and if we don't want to pay it then just ask for it to be removed,” he said.

The man clarified that given the quality of the meal, he likely would have tipped anyway. But, the assumption was what made him mad.

“Now I would have tipped him anyway, we had a good meal and he looked after us. We got a 50% off deal so we saved some money too. However it's the principle of the matter that gets me,” he wrote.

“Don't make me be the one to be an arsehole and have the tip taken off. I don't like tips being forced on me. I'll decide if you did a good enough job to earn a tip. This awful habit of adding tips at the POS is getting out of control.”

A Melbourne local recently experienced something similar at a restaurant called France Soir in South Yarra.

They said they had a great meal, but, similarly to in Sydney, a tip was assumed at the end.

“At the end of the meal, the staff straight-up expected a tip by asking ‘why no tip?’. Not a subtle suggestion. Not a ‘thanks so much, have a great night’. No, it was also said before an awkward pause, the lingering stare, the ‘are you gonna leave something extra?’ vibe,” he wrote.

The customer was just as frustrated seeing tipping culture infiltrate its way into Aussie venues.

“Like... excuse me? Since when did tipping become a thing here? This is Australia, not the US. We pay proper wages here. Tipping isn’t part of our culture and it shouldn’t be,” he said.

“I’m sick of seeing this tipping BS slowly sneaking into places around Melbourne. First it was the iPad prompts asking for 15–25% tips for takeaway coffee (lol, no), now it’s fancy restaurants giving you the stink eye if you don’t fork over extra cash on top of your already overpriced meal.

“Newsflash: if your business model has your staff depending on tips to survive, maybe fix your prices or pay your staff properly — don’t guilt customers into doing it for you.”

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“No way I’m gonna support that culture here”

Commenters across the board said that tipping was unaustralian.

“I used to tip, then I visited the USA and seeing how crazy it is there I refuse to tip for anything in Australia now. No way I’m gonna support that culture here it’s so wild,” said one Reddit user.

“That's so un-australian,” said another.

“Please do not tip. We do not want tipping culture in Australia," a third agreed.

In both circumstances, people even said the posters had been ‘bullied’ into paying extra, with staff hoping they would be polite or non-confrontational enough to just pay in hopes of not causing a scene.

“They’re basically banking on people’s uneasiness to call it out and having it removed. It’s despicable. Thanks for sharing so we know to avoid this place,” said one commenter of the Sydney restaurant.

“I feel like people have been complaining about tipping culture sneaking in for most of my life now, it's just people getting bullied into paying extra,” said another person.

“Our goal is to deliver a memorable dining experience”

In a statement to Kidspot, a Tilda spokesperson said that though a tip is added automatically, it is entirely optional.

“The optional surcharge at tilda, communicated at multiple stages during the booking process (in the booking widget, in the confirmation email), written on the menus and again verbally when the bill is presented, is designed to reward our team for their dedication and hard work,” the spokesperson said.

“It also serves to incentivise exceptional service and support increased tenure within our industry - at a time when experience is hard-to-find, and living costs are increasing. This surcharge is not mandatory and can be removed at any point, no questions asked, should a guest request it. Gratuities are managed through a third-party program, which we believe is the fairest approach, and every dollar goes directly to the team working during that shift, including the kitchen.

“Our goal is to deliver a memorable dining experience for our guests while rewarding our team for their efforts. However, we fully respect that not all guests may wish to pay the surcharge, which is why it remains entirely optional.”

Kidspot reached out to France Soir Restaurant for comment, though they did not wish to do so.

Originally published as People sick of 'unAustralian' trend entering Aussie dining scene