This server’s morally questionable tactics will make you question every tip you’ve ever left
The hustle is real.
Servers are getting creative and a little shady when it comes to securing bigger tips even as tipping fatigue spreads across the country. A California server recently went viral on TikTok for sharing the “morally questionable” tactics she used to manipulate customers into leaving more cash, and the internet is divided over whether these tricks are clever or just plain wrong.
According to BroBible, Katie, who posts under the handle @badwitch1126, kicked off her video by admitting, “When I was a waitress, I’d do a lot of things to manipulate people into giving me more money — here are some of my favorites.” Her first move? Exploiting “decision fatigue” by listing the most expensive tequila first when customers ordered a margarita. By the time she got to the cheaper options, many would just go with the pricier choice, boosting her bill and her tip.
But her most infamous tactic was the “forgotten table” lie. If she accidentally ignored a group for 30-45 minutes, she’d rush over and claim someone on the patio had a seizure and she was performing CPR. The story worked every time, turning frustrated customers into sympathetic big tippers. “Their demeanor completely changed,” she said. “They ended up leaving me with a fat tip.”
While some viewers were impressed, others were horrified
One commenter shared a real-life encounter with the “Was there something wrong with the service?” trick, writing, “Somebody asked us about the ‘What I could do better’ one after we gave them 15%. It was sooo awkward.” Another server chimed in, “If I did the ‘Was there something wrong with the service?’ one I would be fired SO FAST.” Katie’s response? “Oh god, me too. I just didn’t get caught.”
The confessions didn’t stop there. Other servers admitted to their own white lies to squeeze out extra cash. One revealed they’d work Mother’s Day and Father’s Day shifts just to tell tables both their parents had passed away. “They’re both alive and well,” they admitted. Another wore a wrist brace they didn’t need, while a third claimed to be pregnant and working toward a GED. “It worked every time,” they said.
Katie defended her methods in a follow-up, writing, “I forgave myself for the last one a decade ago. And for those saying ‘just give good service’ you have obviously never worked in the industry.” Her bluntness resonated with many in the service industry, who argued that relying on tips forces workers to get creative — or desperate.
Another server, Dean Redmonds, shared a similar story on TikTok, explaining how he once covered up a lost order ticket by telling a table that a kitchen staff member had an allergic reaction. He even leaned into the lie, telling one customer, “He was my friend. I just don’t want to abandon the staff right now.” The result? A $170 tip on top of the bill, plus a table full of customers sobbing over their food.
These stories come at a time when tipping culture in the U.S. is under serious strain
A recent survey from Popmenu found that nearly 80% of consumers now describe modern tipping practices as “ridiculous,” with 44% saying they’re tipping less than they did last year. The decline is hitting restaurants the hardest, where 35% of people have scaled back their gratuities, but it’s also affecting grocery delivery, hotel staff, and even auto repair shops, per KTLA.
The shift is partly due to “tip fatigue,” as businesses increasingly prompt customers for gratuities at every transaction. Digital payment screens now default to 18% or even 20% tips, leaving many diners feeling pressured to comply. But the survey found that 36% of people now opt for a custom tip instead of selecting a preset amount, and 59% say they feel compelled to leave a tip when prompted, down from 66% just six months ago.
The financial squeeze is real for workers who rely on tips. Popmenu CEO Brendan Sweeney noted that “tip-reliant professions are feeling the financial impact of tipping fatigue more than anyone,” especially as inflation drives up the cost of food, energy, and other necessities. The survey also revealed that Californians are the lowest tippers in the nation, leaving an average of 17.2% compared to the national average of 19.2%.
With tipping rates dropping, it’s no surprise that servers are resorting to psychological tricks to secure their income. But as customers grow more aware of these tactics, and more frustrated with the pressure to tip, it’s unclear how long these strategies will be effective. For now, though, it seems the service industry is locked in a game of cat and mouse, with servers finding new ways to outsmart stingy customers and diners pushing back against the expectation to tip for every little thing.
(Featured image: Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.)
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