These last days, the topic of American tipping has sparked sharp debate.
Giving a tip at a bar or restaurant is not mandatory. In Spain, as in other countries including the United States, card payments have reduced the habit of tipping waitstaff.
In recent months, some venues in Madrid and Barcelona displayed a ticket allowing customers to add a tip for the waiter and the cook. The post sparked a wide range of opinions online about whether tipping should be included or not.
The ticket presents several options to choose from, such as no tip, a 5 percent tip, or a 10 percent tip, with the total amount shown next to each option.
If you do this on the income statement, it could trigger a penalty from the Treasury.
Some readers shared their perspectives after the tweet spread. One Twitter user, Salvaok, said the options are good because tipping is not always necessary.
Another user, Zharion7, argued against tipping, saying customers pay for a service that should include a living wage for the person who serves and prepares the meal. A fair salary should not depend on the customer’s mood or luck, and tipping should not be a privilege of the moment. That view was echoed by others in the thread.
A former waiter who posted a video explained that tipping has merit but should respect workers’ rights. He argued that the best outcome would be to receive the agreed wages and for rights to be acknowledged, so workers can live rather than merely survive through tips.
Consumer advocacy groups, including FACUA, warn that tipping is not mandatory and that tipping could be used by employers to pay waitstaff less.