A tip of just Rs 5 has triggered a wide discussion on Reddit after two very different versions of a late-night Zomato delivery surfaced online. The incident took place when a customer ordered cold coffee
at 11:30 PM.
The debate picked up pace after a woman shared her experience of being asked for a tip by a delivery agent post-delivery. Soon after, a Reddit post claiming to be from the delivery agent also surfaced that offered a contrasting perspective.
‘Weird Request From Zomato Delivery Man’
In her Reddit post, the woman explained that she had ordered a cold coffee late at night and that her husband initially received the calls from the delivery agent. After the order was handed over to the building guard, the delivery agent called again.
“I pick up the call, and he tells me that he wants me to tip him Rs 5/- since he wants to drink chai and he has absolutely no online money. He said he will do 5+5 and have chai. He said this again before I could respond, and not in a requesting way but as a matter of fact… it felt as if he regularly does this,” she wrote.
“I’m confused if he genuinely required it or was he trying to scam me, or just collecting good points from Zomato after receiving a tip, although minimal,” she added.
The woman clarified that money wasn’t the issue. “I don’t mind tipping him even if it is 100/- and he is in genuine need,” she said, but questioned how someone could have “zero balance? not even Rs 5.”
Ending her post, she said she was unsure whether the request was genuine or not, saying, “something felt off in the manner he asked me to tip him.”
Weird request from Zomato delivery man at 12:00 am
byu/Zuko_Zukiii inZomato
Delivery Agent Side Surfaces
Not long after, another Reddit post claimed to be from the delivery agent involved surfaced with the title, “Today I almost destabilised the Indian economy.”
Describing his delivery experience, he wrote about climbing four floors, dealing with security guards, locked gates, and “Google Maps’ creative writing” before finally handing over the cold coffee.
Then came the chai craving. “Checked my account: Rs 0. UPI said: Insufficient balance but sufficient audacity,” he wrote.
Explaining about the call, he added, “So I called and said, very politely: ‘Madam, can you give Rs 5 tip? I’ll do 5+5 and drink chai.’”
“She went silent. Probably informing: • Zomato HQ • RBI • CBI • Reddit moderators,” he added.
The agent poked fun at the online reaction on her post, saying his request turned into “a possible scam, a social experiment, a psychological thriller, and a 900-word Reddit post.”
“For the record, I did not ask for Rs 50, Rs 100, or her property papers. I asked for Rs 5,” he wrote and added, “I’m still thirsty. But at least now I’m famous on Reddit.”
“This was actually to show that the lady who had posted about the Rs 5 tip being a scam. Just wanted to say that people are ready to pay Rs 5 as a surge fee or when it rains, but put on detective hats when a fellow human asks for Rs 5,” he concluded.
Today I almost destabilized the Indian economy.
byu/Any_Possibility3650 inZomato
‘It’s Just Rs 5’: Redditors Show Support For Zomato Delivery Partner
After both posts got significant attention, Reddit users largely sided with the delivery agent, with many showing empathy for his situation.
A user wrote, “If it’s just Rs 5, it’s fine. Maybe someone genuinely needed that much only. And yes, Zomato payout is not something like you pay online and the rider gets in the bank. It runs in some cycles of days. So, it would be ideal for him to get a tip, that way to pay for tea. It’s fine as long as the person doesn’t start asking for Rs 50-100 as a tip and force for pay or ratings. If it was a polite request, you can give it if you think it’s fine.”
Another said, “Zomato doesn’t pay them instantly. If someone is asking for like exactly 5 rupees, then I wouldn’t doubt him. No one would lie for like 5 rupees, and if they do, they must be really in need of it. Try and help if the money is small amount for you and if you feel it will help him.”
Someone else remarked, “Agar koi 5 rupey ke liye scam kar raha hai, toh dost scam ho jao. Gosh (If someone is scamming you for just Rs 5, then honestly, let yourself be scammed).”
“Damn, bro. Although I never tip, if the delivery person requests a tip, I never say no, and I make sure to give about 10 per cent of the total order,” a person added.
Another humorously said, “Bhai QR bhej, mai pilaunga tujhe chaii. Bhai h tu mera (Bro, send your QR code. I’ll buy you that tea. You’re my brother),” while others joked about waiting for a POV from the chai vendor next.
