I could go on for hours about how inappropriate (and downright rude) it is to not properly tip a server at a restaurant, but I'll spare you and keep it short and simple—if you're not willing to tip 20%, eat at home. Serve yourself. Clearly, I'm not the only one who feels strongly about this. Enter: CNBC's "tipping trick."
CNBC posted a piece in February 2018, entitled, "This simple tipping trick could save you over $400 a year." The post has resurfaced recently, after the outlet tweeted the video that accompanies the story.
The so-called tipping trick is to double the tax amount, instead of tipping on the post-tax total. So, essentially, CNBC's big revelation to save yourself money is at the expense of your server. Tip less, they're saying. No shit, that will save you money, but it's also, uhh...rude?!
The Takeout's Salty Waitress was recently presented with the question of whether to tip on pre- or post-tax total, and in response wrote: "Do you know how often I get asked this question? Like once a week. So why haven't I answered it in this column yet? Because it's a dumb, cheapskate question." As Eater points out, the "doubling the tax" strategy recommended in the video totally ignores the fact that sales tax varies tremendously across the country, with some as low as zero percent.
The reactions on Twitter pretty much sum up today's slice of stupidity on the internet:
Might I recommend saving money a different way? You could cook at home more often—try these easy weeknight dinners that are quick and cheap, too!
