‘Water is also a drink’: Waitress mocked customer asking for water at NYC diner, vanished during service, then demanded preset tip options; customer’s final comment left her speechless
The story was shared on Reddit’s r/tip forum by a user who described a tense interaction with a waitress at a well-known New York restaurant chain.
According to the post, the situation started shortly after the group was seated. When the waiter asked what they wanted to drink, the customer reportedly replied “umm… nothing” and then requested water.
The user claimed that the waiter replied, “Water is also a drink, just so you know.” “Honestly, I should have gotten out of there immediately,” the Reddit user wrote.
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Customer says service has become annoying
Despite the awkward start, the group decided to stay because it was late and they were hungry after returning to their hotel. The customer explained that they asked the waiter for a menu recommendation because they do not eat pork, beef or bacon. But they claimed the presenter appeared uncomfortable while answering follow-up questions.
A restaurant in New York says its rude waiter and mandatory tip screen turned a $90 dinner into a viral discussion on Reddit.
The experience reportedly became even more frustrating after the food arrived. The Reddit user claimed that the waiter was not around and the table waited at least 15 minutes for the bill. Another server allegedly refused to bring the bill and told them they needed to speak directly to their assigned waiter, according to the post.
Eventually the waiter returned with the payment machine for the approximately $90 meal.
It was reported that the tip request was the last straw
The customer noted that they originally planned to leave a tip of around $10, describing it as “generous for the experience.” However, the situation escalated further during the payment process.
While the restaurant was looking for a special tip option, the waiter allegedly interrupted and pointed to predetermined percentages and said, “You must choose one of these options,” according to the post.
The Reddit user claimed that the default options range from 15% to 25%. “This was the final straw,” the customer wrote angrily.
Instead of choosing one of the predetermined amounts, the restaurant pressed “No Tip” and wondered, “So how can I click that and still proceed?” He reportedly replied: “I have never felt more satisfied closing a check,” the post added.
Reddit users divided over tipping and attitude debate
The post quickly gained attention online, with many users debating whether the customer’s reaction was justified or overly harsh. Some reviewers supported the diner, arguing that rude service should influence tipping decisions, especially in restaurants where tipping is culturally expected.
Others focused on the opening interaction itself, noting that it was technically correct for the waiter to say that water counted as a drink order.
The original poster acknowledged this criticism in a later edit, writing: “Yes, fair enough, I know water is a drink.” However, the user argued that the real problem was not the statement itself, but “the tone and everything that followed.”
Controversy over tipping culture
The viral controversy has also reignited discussions surrounding the notorious tipping culture in the United States, particularly digital payment systems that enforce predetermined tip percentages.
While many restaurant customers complain online that they feel pressured by tip screens, service workers also argue that tips are still necessary due to low base wages in the restaurant industry.
In this case, opinions were divided. While some readers viewed the customer’s decision as a reasonable response to poor service, others felt that not giving the tip at all might have escalated an already tense interaction.
The unresolved question has many Reddit users discussing the same issue: Where should customers draw the line between disappointment and fairness when service appears rude or condescending?
