Staff Reports
In a world where common sense seems increasingly endangered, Americans are now faced with the perplexing phenomenon of “tip creep.” Once upon a time, tipping was a simple affair—an expression of gratitude primarily reserved for waiters and pizza delivery drivers. These hardworking folks would go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining or take-out experience, and we were more than happy to show our appreciation. But today, it seems everyone from the neighborhood barista to the self-checkout machine wants a slice of that tip pie.
Gone are the days when tipping was a straightforward, voluntary gesture. Now, it has become an expectation, if not a demand, creeping into places it does not belong. Even the quickest pit stop for a cup of joe demands a decision on whether that cheerful cashier deserves an extra few bucks. And let’s be real—back in the day, there was no tipping for a simple cup of coffee. Yet, this is the situation customers face now, from coffee shops to hardware stores, with a tip jar seemingly everywhere. What’s more, the introduction of touchscreen tablets only makes it easier for businesses to nudge customers toward adding a generous tip, even when service is lackluster.
The explosion of self-checkout machines has added a surreal twist to our tipping culture. Customers who have taken on the role of cashier by scanning and bagging their items, are presented with the option to add a tip. But, who are we tipping exactly? If anyone deserves a tip at that moment, it should be the customer for performing a task that once belonged to a paid employee. This setup has consumers justifiably scratching their heads, questioning the very purpose of such gratuities.
With companies increasingly placing the onus of employee compensation on customers under the guise of gratuity, it’s time we ask what these tips are truly for. One cannot ignore the underlying issue here: businesses are cutting labor costs by using machines, yet still encouraging customers to fork over tips with no clear justification.
The escalation of tipping culture represents a broader malady in society’s aversion to saying “no.” We’ve become so wary of confrontation and eager to please that we’ve lost sight of the principle that tipping should be a choice, not a mandate. It’s time to reclaim the lost art of saying no to inappropriate tipping prompts. Let’s return to a time when tips were a pleasant reward for exceptional service, not an almost obligatory addition to every transaction. Say no to undeserved tips, and perhaps, just perhaps, we can take a tiny step back towards common sense in this topsy-turvy world.
