Aussies blast 'worrying' culture creeping into Melbourne restaurants (2025)

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An Aussie diner has criticised a Melbourne restaurant after claiming workers expected to be tipped.

The customer visited a popular restaurant in South Yarra last week and while the food 'was fine' she was taken aback when it came to the bill.

The customer, who claimed to work in hospitality for ten years, vented her frustration on Reddit.

'At the end of the meal, the staff straight-up expected a tip by asking "Why no tip?" Not a subtle suggestion, not a "Thanks so much, have a great night". No,' the diner wrote.

'It was also said before an awkward pause, the lingering stare, the "Are you gonna leave something extra?" vibe.'

The diner blasted the venue online, stating Australians 'shouldn't be forced to tip' at bars, cafes or restaurants and to leave tipping culture in America.

'Since when did tipping become a thing here? This is Australia, not the US. We pay proper wages here. Tipping isn't part of our culture and it shouldn't be,' the Redditor wrote.

'I'm sick of seeing this tipping b***s*** slowly sneaking into places around Melbourne.'

'First it was the iPad prompts asking for 15 to 25 per cent tips for takeaway coffee, now it's fancy restaurants giving you the stink eye if you don't fork over extra cash on top of your already overpriced meal,' the post continued.

'Newsflash: If your business model has your staff depending on tips to survive, maybe fix your prices or pay your staff properly - don't guilt customers into doing it for you.'

Disgruntled by the experience, the customer didn't leave a tip and won't in future.

'Let's not turn dining out in Australia into an awkward guilt trip like it is in the States. We've got a good thing going here - let's keep it that way,' the customer continued.

The post quickly caught the attention of thousands of others who agreed with the diner, stating Aussies shouldn't have to tip.

'I love it when the bar staff hit 'no' on the checkout before I've had a chance to even see the 'tip' option,' one wrote.

'It should be outright illegal for a business to request a tip,' another added.

Someone else said they have 'no money left to tip' after all the surcharges, such as booking fees, credit card and public holiday surcharges.

One person who works in hospitality said it's 'wild to expect a tip' from customers.

'Tips are a nice extra but our boss pays us properly so we don't need them,' she wrote.

Another wrote: 'I dislike the Americanisation of Australia, just say no. In the past if it was outstanding service I have, but not for normal job activities.'

Giving a tip in restaurants in Australia is entirely voluntary and the amount must be passed on by those who run the restaurant to employees.

Usually those who tip in a cafe slip in an extra five to 10 per cent on top of their bill.

According to the Australian Taxation Office, places of business that receive a tip must keep a record that shows the amount was given to staff and this figure was not added to the business's revenue.

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