SNS Outrage Over Tip Demands on Monthly Rent
15%, 20%, 25% Custom Tips
If You Tip 25% on 2.14 Million Won Rent, It Becomes 2.67 Million Won
Tip Culture Gone Too Far...Netizens Fiercely Criticize
Monthly rent posted on the rent payment site and the tips section below. [Screenshot from social networking service]
The tipping culture in the United States has, so to speak, gone too far. It started with regular restaurants and even extended to consumers using self-service kiosks demanding tips, and now landlords have joined in. They have created a separate tip category when sending rent payment notices.
On the 30th, a post titled "The Final Boss of Tipping" was uploaded on social networking services (SNS). The poster said, "The landlord sent a rent payment request ($1,549, approximately 2.14 million KRW), and the tenant web portal has tip options (15%, 20%, 25%, or custom)." According to the screenshot shared by the poster, the rent payment basic amount is listed as $1,548.40. Below that, there is a section asking, "Would you like to leave a tip?" with four options: 15%, 20%, 25%, and custom. When 25% was selected in the screenshot, the total amount became $1,935.10 (approximately 2.67 million KRW). The original rent burden of 2.14 million KRW increased by 530,000 KRW to 2.67 million KRW. As of 3 PM on the 30th, this post has recorded over 1.7 million views.
Netizens responded negatively, ranging from "Is this really true?" to "Who on earth would tip on rent?" The main reactions included comments like, "It's American style. At least a 20% tip on rent. If you can't afford to tip the landlord, you shouldn't live indoors," "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen," "I will not tip the landlord. That's the core of my lease agreement," and "Is there no option for negative tips?"
One netizen said, "This is predatory behavior and harassment. It's grounds for a lawsuit," adding, "Any lawyer in California would take this case pro bono." A netizen who identified as a landlord sarcastically said, "I have already raised all my lease contracts by 20%. I like my monthly tips."
In the U.S., it has been common to leave a tip of 15-20% of the order amount to the server responsible for the customer's table. Since wages for servers are low, tips effectively constitute their actual income. Therefore, servers provide quality service to receive more tips, and customers pay corresponding gratuities. However, as minimum wages and prices have risen, criticism has grown that employers are shifting labor costs onto consumers. Especially with tipping being demanded even for self-service payments, backlash against tipping culture has intensified.
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