When it comes to tipping service workers, LiAngelo Ball doesn’t abide by the standard 20% rule. The former basketball player explained his position during the November 18 episode of Ball in the Family Podcast with special guest Michael Porter Jr. Toward the end of the sit-down Gelo and his co-hosts — brother Lonzo Ball, Darren “D-Mo” Moore, Anthony "Ant" Salazar — began discussing some of the “internet’s hottest takes,” including the claim that “tipping culture is out of control.”
Gelo suggested he agreed with the statement, noting that he rarely tips more than $10 or $20, regardless of the cost of the meal.
“I mean, If I'm at a restaurant, I'll leave a little tip,” he said, before the group was asked what’s the biggest tip they’ve ever left. “I ain't going to Chipotle and leaving tips, or McDonald's — none of that… But I can get, like, a $400 meal, and I'm only giving a $10 or $20 on how you was on that night. That’s how I rock, for real.”
However, Gelo said he could make an exception if he was particularly fond of the waiter.
“Unless I really like you — like, I’m trying to flatter some shit — I’ll leave a little hundo out there or something. I ain’t doing 20%, I’m not gonna lie. It’s either a $10 or $20…You was great, n***a, you get a $20. You was cool, I'll shoot you a $10 just for being there.”
However, Gelo said he might make an exception if he was particularly impressed by the waiter.
“I just think the 20% rule is like... if you're spending $3K on a meal, you shouldn’t have to tip $600, 20%, to me,” the Brooklyn Nets forward said. “And then Uber Eats is another thing. If the Uber Eats order is $250, why are you still tipping 20% when they’re doing the same amount of work as if you ordered a $20 meal, you know what I mean? They’re still just bringing the meal to you. So I would say that tipping culture is definitely out of control, to me. But I’m a bad tipper. I’m not gonna lie.”
Lonzo reminded the group that tipping is fully optional but noted that he usually gives 20%, as long as the check doesn’t include gratuity or a service fee.
“Usually for, like, dinner and shit, like if I take Ally [Rossel], out, it's probably like $600, maybe,” he said, referring to his girlfriend. “Maybe $800? Twenty percent of that is cool, for a good night… I feel like the waiter makes the night better sometimes. If you got a bad waiter, not that there are a lot of them out there, they can make the night not as good.”
As expected, the comments sparked a mix of online reactions. Some X users agreed that the 20% rule isn’t applicable in all situations, while others criticized Gelo’s approach as out of touch.
Check out some of the reactions below.