Vice President Mike Pence was called out on Twitter this past Tuesday, December 29, after visiting a restaurant and reportedly leaving a small tip.
Here’s the character of these people. A friend’s friend works at a restaurant that served @Mike_Pence at lunch t… https://t.co/bWjKA6kjBj— Sachin Chheda (@Sachin Chheda) 1609290022.0
Twitter user Sachin Chheda shared a picture of Pence's receipt, writing:
"A friend's friend works at a restaurant that served @Mike_Pence at lunch today. He tipped $5 on $45 bill."
"This is who these people are. Remember that, always."
@skchheda @Mike_Pence This is how the math works people: 44.25 bill, round up to 45; 10% is 4.50, x 2 for 20% means… https://t.co/kvP2OyJqNI— klee (@klee) 1609298555.0
The internet shamed Pence for leaving such a small tip, especially while the service industry suffers from pandemic-related hardship.
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Hey @VP, a 10% tip is NEVER enough [unless you have valid reason to complain]. We are in an e… https://t.co/PD68ToSW9V— Alice It's A New Day 🇺🇸 (@Alice It's A New Day 🇺🇸) 1609300671.0
@skchheda @Mike_Pence https://t.co/ePlnvb9ZfK Context. This is also a teachable moment. Bare minimum tip is 15% b… https://t.co/V3QYiFCGYJ— Diann Rust-Tierney (@Diann Rust-Tierney) 1609337348.0
@skchheda @MrRaulJenkins @Mike_Pence This speaks so much about a person. Unless you’ve waited tables you’re not going to get it.— csd (@csd) 1609304004.0
Many people felt Pence's tip was indicitive of his personality.
@skchheda @Mike_Pence How a person treats servers can be very revealing of their character— the future is looking bright (@the future is looking bright) 1609314181.0
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Tipping in general is terrible. Servers should be paid a living wage instead of having to earn tips— Thomas Paine, Common Sense (@Thomas Paine, Common Sense) 1609347882.0
I used to work in a conservative community as a bartender and server. These people fight to eliminate minimum wages… https://t.co/tH2U5HCZaQ— Probably Unhelpful (@Probably Unhelpful) 1609342914.0
There were also some who felt the tip wasn't egregious.
@skchheda In all honestly. If this a takeout order it's not a bad tip— Nate Fell (@Nate Fell) 1609293623.0
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Hey I’m no fan of Mike Pence, but 12.5% (always tip on the pre-tax subtotal) doesn’t seem unr… https://t.co/nS9T8jNXEe— Candid Observer (@Candid Observer) 1609317489.0
But most people felt that if anyone could afford to tip generously, it's the Vice-President.
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Well one thing, you don’t include tax with tipping, but yes even at 15% on a $40 tab, tip is $6.— Jesse Castorena (@Jesse Castorena) 1609294193.0
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Even worse given his administration just did this. https://t.co/B5iCi9TMz4— Jeffrey Goliver (@Jeffrey Goliver) 1609300876.0
@sanafaham @RexChapman Mike Pence, Vice-President of the United States tips 11%. $5 was all he had to spare whil… https://t.co/jU6MLEmgSq— wanderingthebeaches🌴 (@wanderingthebeaches🌴) 1609387644.0
Mike Pence certainly didn't win over any hearts with this gesture of kindness.
@skchheda @Mike_Pence I always tip 20%, especially now. He can afford it, cheapskate.— christine dewing (@christine dewing) 1609380552.0
@skchheda @Mike_Pence Quite frankly I'm surprised he tips at all. He seems like that kind of guy.— 🌈 Stonette 🌈 (@🌈 Stonette 🌈) 1609387693.0
As restaurants struggle to get by and Republicans argue against any further financial aid, Mike Pence seems to be closing out his time in office by undertipping his servers.
That gesture likely won't be forgotten by those who have spent time in the food service industry.