Popular Kick streamer Asmongold has entered a heated online debate surrounding tipping culture in the United States. The controversy erupted after a video clip from an IRL livestream by Evelyn Ortiz, sister of streamer Wendy Ortiz, spread rapidly across social media platforms like X and Reddit.
The Viral Incident: A $5 Tip on a $250 Bill
The core of the dispute lies in a short video from Evelyn Ortiz's live stream. The footage showed a waitress directly confronting Ortiz for leaving a $5 tip on a $250 restaurant bill. Despite Evelyn's attempts to de-escalate the situation and avoid conflict, the waitress was visibly unimpressed and expressed her dissatisfaction with the gratuity amount. This act of public "tip-shaming" quickly caught the internet's attention, sparking widespread discussion on the norms and expectations of tipping.
Asmongold's Fiery Take: Tipping as a 'Slavery Side Effect'
Reacting to the viral clip, Asmongold did not hold back his criticism of the system itself. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a strong perspective, framing modern tipping culture as a problematic legacy. Asmongold called tipping a "side effect from slavery" and described it as a psychological operation, or "psyop," created by business owners.
He argued that its purpose is to pit customers (the middle class) against service staff (the working class). In his post, he wrote that engaging in tip-shaming or social pressure to tip only perpetuates this cycle of abuse. His advice was blunt: "Never tip if you don't want to."
Wendy Ortiz's Personal Perspective as a Former Waitress
Wendy Ortiz later addressed the situation involving her sister, offering a more nuanced view shaped by her own professional experience. While pushing back against the idea that tips are an automatic entitlement, she clarified her stance. "As a waitress/waiter, I don't think you can expect a tip and be, like, upset at what they got tipped," she stated.
However, Ortiz made it clear she is not fundamentally against tipping. She believes in rewarding good service and often reminds others to tip accordingly. She also highlighted the unique intensity of US tipping norms, contrasting it with other countries where the practice is less ingrained and emotionally charged.
Broader Context and Ongoing Debates
This incident is not Wendy Ortiz's first brush with online controversy this month. She recently had a public clash with FaZe Clan member Rani "Stable Ronaldo," where she labeled him a woman-hater. Interestingly, while Asmongold was critical of her comments during that earlier episode, he has now come to the defense of her sister, Evelyn, who found herself in an unwanted conflict.
The viral video and the subsequent commentary from prominent streamers have fueled the ongoing global debate about US tipping culture. Many point out the system places the burden of fair wages on customers rather than employers, leading to tense interactions like the one experienced by Evelyn Ortiz. The discussion continues to question whether this model is sustainable or socially equitable.
