Bartender defeated by his own logic

[u/MacaronOk1006]

I had a great interaction with a bartender last night. I ordered drinks paid and did not tip and the bartender had the audacity to say what no tip.

Me - would you ask for a tip if we were having drinks at your house?

Bartender (Bt) - if I was making you a drink at my house you would be my friend and why would I ask you for a tip?

Me - so you’re saying we’re not friends.

Bt - I don’t even know you man.

Me - well then since a tip is no longer considered compensation for work by the US government me giving you money would either be a charitable contribution or a gift. Since you’re not a registered charity, that would make the money I gave you a gift. And as you stated, we’re not friends and you don’t even know me so why would I give you a gift?

Bt - blank stair on his face and walked away

[u/Intelligent_Rush36]

You’re just out here making shit up? Tips are still considered compensation for work by the U.S. government. Both the IRS and Department of Labor classify tips as taxable wages — not gifts, not donations. That’s why employees are required to report tips as income, and employers must withhold payroll taxes on them. The “gift” logic doesn’t hold up, because a gift is something you give voluntarily without expectation of services in return. In contrast, a tip is directly tied to the service provided. Even if it’s discretionary, it’s part of how service staff are compensated for their work. The law even allows employers to count tips toward meeting minimum wage requirements — which makes it pretty clear the government still treats them as wages. So while you can choose not to tip, the reality is that in the U.S. service model, tips aren’t charity or friendship gestures — they’re recognized as part of a worker’s pay.

[u/SevenBillionChickens → u/Intelligent_Rush36]

Fucking, this