From Pullman railcars to the iPad swivel: Vivian Tu takes on the 20% tip
The new Networth & Chill episode traces American tipping back to the post-Civil War years, and a short cut from it became the channel's most watched upload of the week.
Your Rich BFFStory of Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.
Why Every Coffee Shop Is Guilt-Tripping You for a 20% Tip | Networth & Chill
Vivian Tu spent her week on one awkward moment: the tablet that swings around at the counter and asks for a fifth of an $8 latte. Ten uploads went up, and most of them circle the same question.
The centerpiece is the Wednesday episode of Networth & Chill, "Why Every Coffee Shop Is Guilt-Tripping You for a 20% Tip." Its chapters run from tipping's European roots and the Pullman railcars of the post-Civil War years to the 1966 tip credit and the $2.13 sub-minimum wage, then on to wedding vendors, tipping abroad and what the "no tax on tips" policy means for the people who rely on it.
The short version reached far more people. "Places You Don't Have to Tip" passed 120,000 views in under two days, and its comments read like a support group. Many viewers point out that at a counter you are tipping before you have received anything; one passes on a server's rule of thumb about who is standing when the order is taken, and a former waitress says takeout tips were never expected.
Across the week the channel took in nearly 23 million views, the most of any money channel around its size, though its daily pace right now is far below its usual level. Nearby, I Will Teach You To Be Rich and Ben Mallah are both running well above their own norms.
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What viewers say
My brother (who is a server) has a rule of thumb I like: If you're both standing when the order is taken, you don't have to tip.
@steveo.111See it on YouTubeThe problem with tipping at the counter is that you haven’t even received your order yet. You’re tipping in hopes that they do a great job.
@DatDudeRDSee it on YouTubeI use to be a waitress. No tip on takeout is actually reasonable. We never expect it.
@deedathaoSee it on YouTube
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- Channel
- Your Rich BFF
- Subscribers
- 1,290,000
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 22,888,169
- Videos published this week
- 10
- Video published
- September 30, 2026
- Video views so far
- 16,935
- Views on its first day
- 13,075
The numbers
Here is how Your Rich BFF's week looks in numbers.
💡 Test your knowledge
Tipping etiquette abroad comes up in the episode. In which of these countries is tipping traditionally uncommon and can even seem awkward?
In Japan good service is considered part of the price, so leaving a tip is not customary.
