In the gig economy, most of the time, Uber drivers and restaurant workers depend a lot on tips for their sustenance. It is often the only real profit workers see after expenses and platform cuts. However, discussions on social media platforms now reveal that people from certain demographics, especially in India, are unwilling to give tips in the US.
Uber drivers share experiences on social media
One Uber driver, who shared his story on a popular forum, recalled a ride with an Indian tech worker that stuck with him. “I’ve only been tipped once by an Indian rider. It was a woman in her late 20s who looked absolutely drained. She was polite, even grateful, and she gave me a dollar. I think she was just… lonely. She kind of sat there in the car for a minute after we arrived. Didn’t really want to go. But yeah, that’s the only tip I’ve ever gotten from an Indian passenger.”
Another driver put it bluntly, “You can call me racist, but I am avoiding certain demographics like crazy. Indians? Nah. Not unless I’m desperate. It’s just not worth the gas.”
“Had a rider once brag about working at Salesforce,” wrote one driver in a post. “Dude went on about how he pays $15k a year for car insurance, flexed his salary, and I drop him off in this swanky neighbourhood. Guess how much he tipped? Nothing. That was it for me. I try not to stereotype, but he pushed me over the edge.”
‘Tipping is very American’
Though drivers and restaurant owners had certain opinion over tipping. Netizens were divided over the concept of tipping. A user wrote, “Never understood tips. A family of 4 dines out and the bill is 120$. On top of that they have the minimum tip at 20%. What crap is this.”
Another noted, “Americans expect tips for everything lmao. You could go to a quick serve restaurant where you’re standing up and ordering and wait while standing up to pick up the food and their little machine still asks if you want to tip. And the lowest default option is 25%. I understand if you came to me and served me the food. But I’m standing there the whole fucking time, what am I even tipping for? Tipping Uber drivers also seems weird. I tip if you get your ass out of the car and help me with luggage or whatever. Otherwise, I don’t see the purpose of a tip.”
“Thanking everyday for not being in America. It’s a cesspool. No, I don’t tip in Europe either because our workforce doesn’t rely on donations from strangers,” noted a user.
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