New York Woman Says Bartender Threw Receipt at Her After She Didn’t Tip for ‘Bad Attitude’ — Sparks Heated Debate Online
NEW YORK — A night out with friends took a turn for the worse when a New York woman claimed a bartender threw a receipt and pen at her after she chose not to leave a tip due to what she described as “rude service.”
TikTok creator Brooke (@brookeburns16) posted a viral storytime video recounting the experience, which has already drawn thousands of comments and more than 16,000 views as viewers debate whether she was justified in withholding the tip.
‘He Gave Attitude from the Start’
Brooke explained that she and her friends visited a busy local bar, where the bartenders “weren’t the friendliest.” She said the staff barely spoke, maintaining what she described as a cold, dismissive attitude while serving drinks.
“They give you your drink, wouldn’t say a word,” she said in the video.
When she and a friend returned to order again, the bartender allegedly ignored them after a brief hesitation in who would order first. “Within that split-second hesitation, he walks away and starts serving someone else,” she recalled.
The situation escalated when her friend’s drink order came out wrong. Brooke said the bartender “dumped it out everywhere, remade it without saying a word, then slammed it down” on the counter, spilling it in the process.
“At that point, we’re like, ‘All right, forget that guy — we’re not tipping him,’” Brooke said.
‘Then He Threw the Receipt at Our Heads’
As the group warned another set of customers about the bartender’s attitude, Brooke said he noticed the receipt showed no tip — and reacted aggressively.
“He takes the receipt and the pen we had written with and chucks it on our heads and goes, ‘Thanks a lot,’” she recalled.
Brooke said that was the final straw. “If I don’t tip you because you made my drink wrong and then you throw the receipt at my head, now I’m really like, ‘Forget you,’” she said, emphasizing that she normally tips 20% even for average service.
@brookeburns16 Being nice is the bare minimum
The Internet Is Split
The video sparked an immediate debate among TikTok users, many siding with Brooke.
“I’m sorry, he THREW a pen at your head?! Not only would I not be tipping, I’d be calling a manager,” one commenter wrote.
Another user, who identified as a bartender, agreed that the worker crossed a line:
“As a bartender, I get busy and annoyed, but I never let the guests know. That’s just unprofessional.”
However, not everyone saw it that way. Some viewers argued that the bar’s environment might have contributed to the tension.
“This is how a busy bar works,” one comment read. “And not tipping your bartender is crazy.”
Another added, “When it’s packed, if you’re not ready to order, don’t step up to the bar.”
Tipping Debate Continues
The incident reignited a larger conversation about tipping culture in America — especially when service is poor or rude. Etiquette experts generally agree that customers can withhold or reduce a tip if the service feels disrespectful or intentionally dismissive, though they encourage leniency if mistakes stem from overwork or miscommunication.
Brooke ended her video with a simple statement:
“Being nice is the bare minimum.”
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Author: Avery Hughes | Category: Lifestyle
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.