Aussies feel pressured to tip—radio host reveals how he handles it
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Tipping has always been a hot topic, but with the rise of digital payments, it’s sparking even more debate.
What was once a quiet, optional gesture has now become a point of contention, with some diners feeling pressured to tip under watchful eyes.
As the discussion heats up, one high-profile radio host has weighed in on the matter—revealing just how much he tips and whether he feels the same discomfort many Aussies do.
Tipping in Australia has always been a debated topic, but the shift towards digital payments has made it even more contentious.
With fewer people carrying cash, many restaurants now include an EFTPOS prompt for tipping, often displaying percentage-based options ranging from 5 to 25 per cent.
While a ‘no tip’ or ‘custom tip’ option is usually available, some diners feel these choices are not as prominently displayed, leading to concerns about being pressured into tipping.
Many Australians have expressed frustration, arguing that this practice feels invasive—especially when waitstaff hold the machine and watch as the customer makes their decision.
Kyle Sandilands, known for his strong opinions, had a surprisingly relaxed take on the matter when Jackie O raised the topic on air.
She pointed out that waiters now ‘watch you’ as you decide on a tip, asking Sandilands if he had noticed.
He admitted that staff ‘don’t look away’ but said it did not bother him.
Jackie O shared that she usually tips over 20 per cent, while Sandilands revealed he takes a much more generous approach.
‘Whatever the bill is I’ll pay that again,’ he said.
Sandilands explained that he prefers to double the total rather than rely on percentage-based tipping, joking that using the standard tipping method would actually save him money.
‘I’ll save big time,’ he said.
Brooklyn Ross, the show’s newsreader, was stunned by Sandilands’ approach.
‘You’re doubling the cost,’ he said.
While Sandilands did not mind the tipping prompts, many Australians strongly opposed them, with some arguing that tipping is unnecessary because hospitality workers are already paid fairly.
‘Do not tip unless exceptional service. This is not America,’ one person wrote.
Some felt that tipping should not become a cultural norm in Australia.
‘Do not tip, ever! People are mad to let this ludicrous American custom spread here and normalise,’ another said.
Others saw the practice as an invasion of privacy.
‘Being watched while you perform a financial transaction with your private banking details should be discouraged from every venue,’ one person shared.
‘I do not tip because Aussies get paid award wages,’ another commented.
One person even claimed that the tipping trend was proof that Australia was ‘slowly getting closer to becoming the 51st state of America’.
In a previous story, we explored why tipping culture is becoming more common despite Australia’s cost of living crisis.
As digital payment prompts push more diners to tip, many are questioning whether this trend is here to stay.
Read more to see how rising costs and shifting expectations are shaping the way Australians approach tipping.
With digital tipping becoming more common, do you think it’s a welcome change or an unnecessary pressure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
What was once a quiet, optional gesture has now become a point of contention, with some diners feeling pressured to tip under watchful eyes.
As the discussion heats up, one high-profile radio host has weighed in on the matter—revealing just how much he tips and whether he feels the same discomfort many Aussies do.
Tipping in Australia has always been a debated topic, but the shift towards digital payments has made it even more contentious.
With fewer people carrying cash, many restaurants now include an EFTPOS prompt for tipping, often displaying percentage-based options ranging from 5 to 25 per cent.
While a ‘no tip’ or ‘custom tip’ option is usually available, some diners feel these choices are not as prominently displayed, leading to concerns about being pressured into tipping.
Digital tipping prompts spark Aussie backlash. Image source: ARN
Many Australians have expressed frustration, arguing that this practice feels invasive—especially when waitstaff hold the machine and watch as the customer makes their decision.
Kyle Sandilands, known for his strong opinions, had a surprisingly relaxed take on the matter when Jackie O raised the topic on air.
She pointed out that waiters now ‘watch you’ as you decide on a tip, asking Sandilands if he had noticed.
He admitted that staff ‘don’t look away’ but said it did not bother him.
Jackie O shared that she usually tips over 20 per cent, while Sandilands revealed he takes a much more generous approach.
‘Whatever the bill is I’ll pay that again,’ he said.
Sandilands explained that he prefers to double the total rather than rely on percentage-based tipping, joking that using the standard tipping method would actually save him money.
‘I’ll save big time,’ he said.
Brooklyn Ross, the show’s newsreader, was stunned by Sandilands’ approach.
‘You’re doubling the cost,’ he said.
While Sandilands did not mind the tipping prompts, many Australians strongly opposed them, with some arguing that tipping is unnecessary because hospitality workers are already paid fairly.
‘Do not tip unless exceptional service. This is not America,’ one person wrote.
Some felt that tipping should not become a cultural norm in Australia.
‘Do not tip, ever! People are mad to let this ludicrous American custom spread here and normalise,’ another said.
Others saw the practice as an invasion of privacy.
‘Being watched while you perform a financial transaction with your private banking details should be discouraged from every venue,’ one person shared.
‘I do not tip because Aussies get paid award wages,’ another commented.
One person even claimed that the tipping trend was proof that Australia was ‘slowly getting closer to becoming the 51st state of America’.
In a previous story, we explored why tipping culture is becoming more common despite Australia’s cost of living crisis.
As digital payment prompts push more diners to tip, many are questioning whether this trend is here to stay.
Read more to see how rising costs and shifting expectations are shaping the way Australians approach tipping.
With digital tipping becoming more common, do you think it’s a welcome change or an unnecessary pressure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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