JJ Watt Triggers Massive Debate With Question About Tipping At Self-Service Restaurants – Gets Over 16K Responses
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Former NFL star JJ Watt sparked some debate over tipping in a viral social media post this week.
Tipping culture has long been a subject of debate among Americans, with scoops on celebrity and athlete offerings often making headlines.
Ex-pro wide receiver Chad Johnson is known to be a generous tipper and has been a source of immense happiness for some waitresses.
WWE icon Ric Flair went viral, thanks to a large tip at the beginning of the year, but NBA legend Michael Jordan has been slammed in the past for doing the opposite.
While most agree that one should always tip at a traditional restaurant, the notion isn’t as clear where self-service establishments are concerned, hence Watt’s survey.
“Genuine question on a restaurant situation,” the former defensive end shared via X on Wednesday.
“You walk up to a counter to order. You find your own table and seat yourself. If you order coffee, they hand you a cup and you go fill it up yourself,” Watt continued. “If you order food, they hand you a buzzer and when it goes off, you go pick it up yourself. The iPad has a “20%, 25%, 30%, Other” tip option, with 20% already preselected. What’s your move?”
JJ Watt’s Question Got Everyone Crawling Out Of The Woodwork
Watt’s tweet attracted over 4.3 million views.
“I tip simply because I know that servers live in poverty. With your vast wealth you should do so also,” someone commented.
“I tipped. Obviously. But there are no servers in this situation, which is why I asked the question. It was fully self-service,” JJ pointed out.
“A mindset of gratitude is why you should tip. It’s an opportunity to say thank you to God by sharing a tiny bit of your good fortune,” Jason Whitlock wrote, though he admitted that there’s “no perfect answer.”
This is a great question with no perfect answer. Here’s why you should tip. You’ve been incredibly blessed by God by things you had nothing to do with. You were born in America. God blessed you genetically. You had great parents, family members, friends, coaches and teammates…
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) March 11, 2026
“My move is not to tip. Your move has to be to tip because you’re JJ Watt,” SI’s Jimmy Traina claimed, along with an explanation.
My move is not to tip. Your move has to be to tip because you’re JJ Watt and if you don’t, the workers will go on social media and post that “JJ Watt is a cheapskate.” Tough spot for you.
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) March 11, 2026
“Friend told me “if you stand to order, do not tip.” Followed that mantra ever since,” someone else wrote.
Friend told me “if you stand to order, do not tip.” Followed that mantra ever since.
— Kirby Hilderbrand (@kirbyhilde) March 11, 2026
“Tip because they all had a hand in preparing those things,” another user suggested.
Tip because they all had a hand in preparing those things.
— AGG – Sandie (@AugustaGolfGirl) March 11, 2026
“The tipping is for ‘servers’ who make $2.19/hr. Not a counter clerk making ~$12/hr period. Stop the guilt,” one comment read.
The tipping is for ‘servers’ who make $2.19/hr. Not a counter clerk making ~$12/hr period. Stop the guilt~
— Digger’s Daughter 🍀 (@GellerNancy) March 11, 2026
A recent WalletHub survey found that over 80 percent of Americans think that tipping culture is “out of control.” Over 40 percent reckon tipping should be banned.
