A video of a tense argument between a diner owner in Evanston, Illinois, and a customer has caused people to talk more generally about the American habit of leaving large tips.

Kenny Chou, who runs Table to Stix Ramen, says he lost his cool when he confronted a customer outside his business on April 19 for not leaving a tip. A smart phone caught the fight, and it quickly went viral on social media.

Chou feels bad about “making my wife look bad as a husband and an owner.” He told CBS News Chicago, “At the same time, to my mom and dad,” in an April 24 report.

A question that seems to be getting more and more controversial every day has been stoked by the event: when is tipping accepted and when is it not?

Online backlash and an apology from the owner

A lot of people were angry after seeing the film. The restaurant shut down its social media pages and quit answering the phone. Yelp was also paying close attention to its review page. A local news station said that messages written in chalk on the ground outside the restaurant said that it was bias against Black people.

Chou says the fight started when he followed the regular customer out into the street with the intention of telling him he was no longer welcome at the restaurant because he had refused to leave tips several times.

“I bought my food.” I gave you $20. Say what you want, but don’t charge more than what’s on the table. In the film, the customer talked about it.

CBS News Chicago reports that the customer said online, “Oh, I just didn’t want to” when asked why he didn’t tip.

Since then, Chou has tried to reach out and make peace. He says that the customer’s brother came to the restaurant and they had a good talk. Chou sent him home with a sorry note, the customer’s favorite dish, and an invitation to get back in touch.

“Man, my door is open for you. “Hey, feel free to stop by whenever,” Chou said.

Feelings of increasing tiredness and anger

The event touches a nerve at a time when tipping is getting more and more controversial. Some people have cut back on spending because of the high prices. Many Americans are sick of the way people tip these days.

Bankrate did a poll in 2024 and found that 59% of U.S. people don’t like tipping and 35% think things have gone too far. Also, about 37% of customers think that companies should pay their workers more instead of counting on tips.

People who work in the service business are also feeling the pinch. In places where employers can pay them less than the minimum wage, tips often make up a big part of their income.

This tug-of-war over money also affects different generations. Gen Zers are more likely than Gen Xers and baby boomers to think tipping has gotten out of hand (23% vs. 40% and 46%, respectively). Gen Zers, on the other hand, only tip 35% of the time at sit-down places, while millennials, 78% of the time, and boomers, 86% of the time, do the same.