A photo has been making the rounds over the past few days of an incredibly offensive message left by a disgruntled, presumably financially well-off patron in lieu of a tip. The unknown patron allegedly left this note, explaining that their decision to forgo leaving a gratuity was a direct result of Proposition 30:

I’ll make my feelings about tipping very clear: Whatever you think about the tipping system, there’s never an excuse not to tip unless the service is horrendous. If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat at a restaurant. If you have a problem with the tipping system, stiffing your server for money they rely on isn’t the way to voice your displeasure. And leaving a condescending missive in place of a gratuity is even worse than not leaving a gratuity at all.

Unfortunately, the decision to leave something infuriating instead of a tip isn’t limited to the lone idiot whose message you see above. In fact, it happens so often, messages left in lieu of tips can be put into a few distinct categories.

(Please be aware I haven’t verified the authenticity of any of these photos. We don’t know the circumstances under which these “tips” were left, or even if they’re real — but believe me, this kind of thing does happen.)

The sob story

I can’t tip you because I’ve got twins on the way. I can’t tip you because I’m saving up for for a solid gold shirt so I can finally find the woman of my dreams. Whatever.

Most people have less money than they’d like to have, and most people (including servers) have expenses looming in the present or future. The difference between most people and these folks, however, is that most people either include eating at restaurants in their budget or just don’t eat at restaurants.

The tiny tip

Can somebody explain to me the point of leaving a nine-cent tip? Clearly, if you’re paying with a credit card, you’re not just rounding up to the nearest even number so you can pay with one bill. Which leaves only one option: You’re a jerk who has no place being in a restaurant.

The fake tip Bible tract

During my brief stint in the food service industry (no, I wasn’t a server), I worked in a restaurant that specialized in weekend breakfast buffets. You’d better believe I saw a few of these “tips” left during the Sunday post-church feeding frenzy. Unfortunately, Bible tracts and religious statements don’t pay the bills — and trying to pass them off like they are money is just rude.

The insult

Not tipping is enough of an insult. Rubbing it in with a cruel statement about the appearance or worth of the server takes you from garden-variety douchebag to awful human being.