Why should waiters keep the change? Indian YouTuber calls mandatory tipping culture in US a 'scam’

Chandigarh, August 21

It’s not unusually, but prevalent across the world to tip waiters as a gesture of saying thank you.

But in New York, they have a compulsory tipping culture, where customers are expected to pay extra money for their meals.

This tipping culture has been flayed by an Indian YouTuber who has sparked a heated online debate.

In a viral post, Ishan Sharma shared his experience at a New York City restaurant, where he claimed he was not returned his money after paying $50 in cash for a $45 meal.

His inquiry about mandatory tipping was ignored by the waiter, which left him frustrated.

Calling the New York's tipping culture a "scam", despite his friend, a local, being embarrassed by his refusal to pay more in tips, he wrote:  ''Tipping is such a scam in New York! Why do I pay extra just because restaurants pay minimum hourly wages? Ordered a crepe, club sandwich and Panini for $45(Rs.3800). We paid $50 cash and the waiter just took the rest as a tip. I asked for change and she said "You have to pay the tip" and went away. I asked "Is it mandatory?" and she just ignored me. And my friend(a local) felt guilty for not paying at least 20% tip! 20% for what? INSANE".

The post has garnered mixed response from online users with some supporting his frustration and others defending the mandatory tipping system.

Below are the reactions: