FRESNO, California – Cody Sarhan, Communications Specialist
Tipping used to be simple. You got the bill, did some quick math, and left a little extra for good service. But now? Automated kiosks, preset tip suggestions, and confusing calculations have made it harder than ever to know what you’re actually paying. Some diners have started noticing that the numbers don’t always add up — sometimes, a 25% tip option turns out to be 38% when you do the math. Whether it’s an error, a system loophole, or something more deliberate, one thing is clear: if you’re not paying attention, you might be paying way more than you intended.
Some diners are catching on, and now, people are asking if this a mistake, or something more?
Learn More: How Xobee can help you stay protected
When the Math Doesn’t Add Up
A viral Instagram video recently put the spotlight on an odd issue with digital tipping systems. A diner noticed that a restaurant’s automated tipping options weren’t calculating correctly — the 25% tip option ended up being way higher than expected. The post urged people to double-check their math before blindly selecting a tip option.
This brings up a bigger question: Are restaurants intentionally inflating tips, or is this just a glitch in the system? While there’s no clear proof of foul play, it’s not hard to see why some people are skeptical. Many kiosks calculate tips after tax or based on a pre-discounted amount, which can drive the numbers up without diners realizing. If the math is off — or just structured in a way that favors higher gratuities — guests may be tipping far more than they intended.
Tipping Confusion and Frustration
The tipping culture in the U.S. has always been a confusing, ever-changing mess. Is 18% still standard, or is it 20%? Are we tipping 25% now? And why are we tipping at coffee shop bars and takeout counters, but not our UPS driver?
These gray areas have led to growing frustration from both diners and service workers. On one hand, customers are feeling tip fatigue — everywhere they go, they’re hit with prompts to tip more than ever before. The rising cost of food doesn’t help, making eating out feel like an unaffordable luxury. Even fast-food chains are seeing a drop in sales as people rethink their spending.
On the other hand, servers rely on tips to make a living, and many are paid below minimum wage under the assumption that gratuities will make up the difference. When diners refuse to tip out of protest or frustration, it’s the workers — not the restaurants — who suffer the most.
What You Can Do About It
If tipping culture frustrates you, the answer isn’t stiffing your server. Instead, consider these options:
- Always check your tip calculations before finalizing payment, especially on digital kiosks.
- Learn about your state’s tipped wage laws and whether any changes are being proposed.
- Support restaurants that include service charges or factor fair wages into menu prices instead of relying on tipping.
Most people agree that tipping isn’t the best system — but until there’s a better alternative, the least we can do is make sure the numbers add up.
Xobee Networks: Protecting Your Business from Hidden Threats
Just like hidden fees can creep into your bill, cyber threats can sneak into your business without warning. At Xobee, we help businesses stay secure with:
- IT consulting and cloud hosting for seamless operations
- Backup redundancies and disaster recovery to keep your data safe
- Cybersecurity solutions like virus protection and spam filtering
Don’t let unseen risks drain your business. Contact Xobee Networks today — because security, like tipping, is something you don’t want to overlook.
Xobee Networks now has engineers servicing clients within Fresno, Clovis, Madera, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco & the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Anaheim, Palm Springs, and more.
