Brittany France is a single mother of two trying to make ends meet working as a server. For those who don’t know, most servers in the United States are paid an hourly wage of less than $5/hour. Tips are a part of their livelihood and a %15 gratuity is expected for basic service across the country. Anyone who has ever made a living in the food service industry knows this is normal civilized behavior.

(image source; Facebook/Brittney France)

Customers come in all shapes and sizes, and their opinion on tipping varies just as widely. Many people argue that a tip should only be given for exceptional service. Others argue that an exceptional tip should be given for exceptional service.

It’s not uncommon to see a server discuss their tips, good or bad, on social media. After providing what she considered exceptional service, Brittany was surprised to see a tip of less than 5% on a bill for more than $100. Most people are completely unaware that many servers are required to split their tips with other support staff throughout the restaurant.

(image source; Facebook/Brittney France)

Brittany shared the image above on Facebook along with the story below.

She shared the following message on Facebook,

I don’t normally post this kind of stuff on social media but I’m so mad right now I could throat punch somebody. I’m a single mom of 2 beautiful kids…I work my b*** off for the money I make as a server. No…this isn’t my “dream job” but it’s my “suck up your pride and do what you gotta do until your daughter starts school” job…my “work nights because I can’t afford daycare” job. I chose this job so I could spend my days with my daughter and not pay someone else to be there for all her important milestones in the first 5 years of her life. With that being said…y’all.. it’s not ok to tip your server $5 on $105 ticket. Especially when your food was delivered promptly..and you never had to ask for refills. It’s not ok! Ever. We make $2.63 an hour and tip out 3% of our total sales at the end of the night to bus boys, hostesses, and to-go. Please consider that the next time your tipping your server. *end rant*

Her Facebook post quickly went viral with tens of thousands of comments and shares. Some people called Brittney a liar and assumed she must have provided poor service and earned a poor tip. Other viewers with years of experience in the food service industry were quick to believe Brittney’s story. Granted, this may be a one-sided story, but we’re inclined to believe Brittany.

Kevin M. Ikerd, a restaurant manager at a Chili’s in Wellington, Florida was one of Brittney’s many supporters. He wrote, “I am a restaurant manager and I 100 percent agree that in today’s world we need an automatic gratuity added to the bill of 15% the 20% is not the standard. that extra 5% is simply a thank you for making my dinning experience great.”

As a manager Kevin has seen more than his fair share of customers and waitstaff. He noticed that many customers are completely unaware of the waiter’s role in their dining experience and often try to punish a server for “bad food” or a “long wait.” He wrote about one couple that does not believe in tipping,

I have a couple that dines with us a few times a month. We all know and respect them. At the beginning of the meal they say to the waitress “We will not be leaving a tip today,” every time they say this. “We are here for the food not the service.” That means the server does their job. Get drinks, take orders, check on them 1 or 2 times max and 1 refil. That is their job to be employed by me. They spend the rest of the time attending to the other patrons that are their for an experience. This is ok by everyone who ever waits on them. So if you are cheap or don’t feel like a tip is in order, let the server know from the beginning and inform them why. They will not get mad or upset. You will get your basic service and your meal. What you paid for. Now the server knows to refill your drink and basically leave you alone and its not a surprise that they don’t get paid for their ass kissing part or being your personal assistant.

Assuming Brittany provided good service, do you think this tip was fair?

Like and share this story if you understand what it’s like to work as a server.