News
November 26, 2025
Asking Eric: My dad embarrasses me at restaurants
"If my dad leaves a small tip, I will pretend to go to the bathroom and give the server some additional money to make up the difference."
**"Asking Eric: My dad embarrasses me at restaurants"**
Dining out with family can be a wonderful experience, but for one reader, it's become a source of recurring anxiety. In this week's "Asking Eric" advice column, a reader seeks guidance on a common yet delicate situation: dealing with a parent's embarrassing behavior, specifically related to tipping at restaurants.
The reader confesses to being mortified by their father's tendency to leave what they consider inadequate tips for service staff. So much so, in fact, that they've developed a secret strategy to compensate for his perceived stinginess. "If my dad leaves a small tip," the reader writes, "I will pretend to go to the bathroom and give the server some additional money to make up the difference."
This covert act highlights the discomfort and embarrassment the reader feels about their father's actions. It also underscores the pressure many feel to ensure service staff are adequately compensated for their work. The reader's actions suggest a strong sense of fairness and a desire to avoid being perceived as cheap or unappreciative.
While the reader's solution is certainly discreet, it also raises questions about long-term sustainability and the potential for underlying resentment. Surreptitiously supplementing tips is a temporary fix, but it doesn't address the root of the problem: the difference in opinion regarding appropriate tipping etiquette between the reader and their father.
The situation is further complicated by the inherent awkwardness of discussing finances, especially with a parent. Confronting a parent about their tipping habits can feel disrespectful or judgmental, potentially leading to conflict and strained relationships. Many people struggle with finding the right approach to address such sensitive issues.
This reader's dilemma is a relatable one for many who have experienced similar situations. It highlights the challenges of navigating generational differences in social customs and expectations, particularly when it comes to money and service industry etiquette. The question now is, how can the reader address this embarrassing situation without causing offense or damaging their relationship with their father? Advice columnist Eric will undoubtedly have some thoughtful suggestions on how to navigate this tricky terrain in the next installment.
Dining out with family can be a wonderful experience, but for one reader, it's become a source of recurring anxiety. In this week's "Asking Eric" advice column, a reader seeks guidance on a common yet delicate situation: dealing with a parent's embarrassing behavior, specifically related to tipping at restaurants.
The reader confesses to being mortified by their father's tendency to leave what they consider inadequate tips for service staff. So much so, in fact, that they've developed a secret strategy to compensate for his perceived stinginess. "If my dad leaves a small tip," the reader writes, "I will pretend to go to the bathroom and give the server some additional money to make up the difference."
This covert act highlights the discomfort and embarrassment the reader feels about their father's actions. It also underscores the pressure many feel to ensure service staff are adequately compensated for their work. The reader's actions suggest a strong sense of fairness and a desire to avoid being perceived as cheap or unappreciative.
While the reader's solution is certainly discreet, it also raises questions about long-term sustainability and the potential for underlying resentment. Surreptitiously supplementing tips is a temporary fix, but it doesn't address the root of the problem: the difference in opinion regarding appropriate tipping etiquette between the reader and their father.
The situation is further complicated by the inherent awkwardness of discussing finances, especially with a parent. Confronting a parent about their tipping habits can feel disrespectful or judgmental, potentially leading to conflict and strained relationships. Many people struggle with finding the right approach to address such sensitive issues.
This reader's dilemma is a relatable one for many who have experienced similar situations. It highlights the challenges of navigating generational differences in social customs and expectations, particularly when it comes to money and service industry etiquette. The question now is, how can the reader address this embarrassing situation without causing offense or damaging their relationship with their father? Advice columnist Eric will undoubtedly have some thoughtful suggestions on how to navigate this tricky terrain in the next installment.
Category:
Politics