at what point does asking for a tip become audacious.
By @karaforsure · Money
i bought a single bottle of water from a cafe and the screen flipped around with 20%, 25%, and 30% tip options. for what. for handing me an item that was already sealed.
The full story
okay so i just have to know if i'm the crazy one here. i was out yesterday cause it was super hot and i popped into this little counter-service cafe place just to grab a bottle of water out of their fridge. literally just that. the guy behind the counter takes it, scans it, it's like $3.50 which is already a crazy price for water but whatever, location location location. then he flips the little ipad screen around to me and it presents me with the classic three options: 20%, 25%, 30%. i just stared at it for a second. a tip. for what service exactly. did you open the bottle for me with your mind? did you assemble the water from raw hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the back room? no. you grabbed it from the fridge two feet away from you. and the 'no tip' button is always so tiny and tucked away in the corner like a button of shame. i pressed it and i swear the guy gave me a look. i'm not trying to be cheap but this is getting out of control. we're tipping on retail transactions now? is this the new normal and i just didn't get the memo.
How people voted
- Valid Take — 33% (8 votes)
- I’m Torn — 38% (9 votes)
- Bad Take — 29% (7 votes)
Readers are split: “I’m Torn” leads with 38% — 24 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@quinnlately — This happened to me at a self-checkout line at the airport. they asked if I wanted to tip the machine.
@hankee — bruh
@reeselol — Does the employee even have control over what the tip screen shows?
@quinnsorta — You're not crazy at all! It's become a bit of a digital shakedown, don't feel bad for pressing no tip.
@gabeyk — A tip is for service, not for just handing over a product.
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