A restaurant guest was left stunned when their server refused a $25 tip, insisting that they only accept tips within the 18-20% range. The moment, shared by u/Koiguy94 on Reddit, has reignited debate over tipping culture and the growing expectation that diners must meet specific tipping percentages.
According to the post, everything about the evening had been going well—until the bill arrived. The total came out to $197.96, and the diner left what they believed was a reasonable tip: $25.
“I thought it was more than fair for an hour-long dinner,” they wrote. But instead of thanking them, the server placed the tip back on the table.
Disappointed waiterRepresentative photo by Canva
"He said that he only accepts tips in the range of 18–20%,” the post read. The unexpected rejection caught the entire table off guard.
Confused and frustrated, the diner couldn’t believe what had just happened. “I thought, what the hell, I’m not obligated to tip, and I felt very disrespected,” they added.
The situation left them questioning whether tipping culture had spiraled out of control. “If I’m going to give you extra money, then just accept it—don’t ask for more,” they wrote.
Their post quickly gained traction, drawing a mix of reactions. Some agreed with the server, arguing that restaurant staff rely on tips due to low wages. Others thought the demand for a specific percentage was unreasonable.
“Yes, the servers work too hard for little pay, and I always tip in cash so they don't have to claim it,” wrote u/Funny-Code6495 in support of tipping culture.
But others argued that tipping expectations have become excessive. “Everybody should stop tipping ideally, so these companies pay their employees properly,” wrote u/Stunghornet.
The debate didn’t stop there. Some users pointed out that removing tipping could lead to higher menu prices, which might not sit well with customers.
"Everyone who said, ‘Don't tip, make your employer pay more,’ are the same people who get pissed when the prices go up or the service is slow because no one wants to work there,” said u/III-Kaleidoscope-501.
Image Source: Reddit | u/Code_Palette_Utopian
Others took a different stance, arguing that tipping culture unfairly prioritizes certain jobs over others. u/airforceguy28 commented, “I simply don't go out to eat anymore. The waitstaff is entitled to make money on tips despite the low skill and education requirements. If waitstaff gets tipped, pilots, air traffic controllers, and others certainly should as well.”
Representative photo by Sam Dan Truong | Unsplash
The tipping debate continues to spark strong opinions, with no clear resolution in sight. For some, tipping is about showing appreciation for service. For others, it's an outdated system that shifts responsibility away from businesses and onto customers. Either way, one thing is clear—this server’s bold move is making people rethink how they tip.
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.