Dunkin’ worker takes customers’ ‘pay it forward’ money — and keeps it as a tip

A Dunkin’ worker has sparked a heated debate after claiming he pockets customers’ well-intentioned “pay it forward” money as a tip.

TikTok user Sahmir shared a seven-second clip of himself working behind the Dunkin’ counter, writing, “me after a customer tried to pay for the person behind them in drive thru but I took the money as a tip.”

He captioned the clip — which has been viewed 767,000 times — “I wish I was joking,” prompting a wave of various responses.

Some slammed the TikToker for taking the money, labeling it “unethical” as it was intended for someone else, with others agreeing that workers should be making more money.

“Did this once and they came back [’cause] they were together,” one person wrote of their unsuccessful attempt.

“WAIT I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS,” another mused.

“Nah fr why they paying the other car behind them when I’m the one making drinks,” pointed out another worker.

Some users issued a word of warning for anyone thinking of doing it.

“Sometime they are together and they are paying for their friend/family behind them. never know,” someone pointed out.

Others were horrified by the TikToker’s confession.

“Yet another reason not to go to Dunkin’,” someone wrote.

“My grandma found out they was doing this and got the whole place fired,” commented one user. 

The Post has reached out to Dunkin’ for comment.

“Paying it forward” in restaurants is when a customer gives the cashier money to cover the cost of the next person in line. Although the idea is thoughtful, workers in the past have come forward to say it can be difficult to keep track of orders and payments.

The video also prompted a discussion on tipping, with some users pointing out many workers in the service industry rely on tipping — which is a controversial subject in some takeout establishments — particularly since the introduction of being asked to tip on iPads.

In a rent viral TikTok, a user and ex-fast food worker called Alison admitted she would get “embarrassed” asking for tips.

“As an ex-fast-food worker, we get embarrassed when the tablet asks you to tip. I worked frozen yogurt and had to ask for y’all to click it and if I told you to ignore it I would get yelled at,” she wrote.

“The funniest thing is that about 90% of time people would tip. Like YOU put your own yogurt in a cup. I’m just the cash lady,” she added.