The iPad tip screen is a masterpiece of social engineering.
By @kirakk · Hot Takes
Every single time I buy something simple like a coffee or a pastry, I'm presented with this screen. The cashier just stares at you while you have to decide between 20%, 25%, or a custom amount.
The full story
it's psychological warfare. i went to get a smoothie today that was like $9. they flipped the little ipad around and the default options were basically $2, $3, or $4 for a tip. for what? for blending fruit for 60 seconds? i get tipping for table service, i really do. someone is refilling drinks, taking orders, running back and forth. but we've let this get out of hand for counter service. it feels like every single transaction now has this built-in guilt trip. the worst part is the design. the 'no tip' option is always this tiny little gray text in the corner, almost hidden. you feel like a villain tapping it while the person who just took your order watches you. it's pure emotional pressure to subsidize wages for a business owner on a transaction that never used to require a tip. i feel like i'm constantly in a standoff. is everyone just tapping 25% for a single cookie now or are we all just getting silently judged together?
How people voted
- Valid Take — 30% (73 votes)
- I’m Torn — 39% (96 votes)
- Bad Take — 32% (78 votes)
Readers are split: “I’m Torn” leads with 39% — 247 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@oscarkk — You described this feeling so perfectly. It's such an unnecessarily awkward and uncomfortable situation they put us in now.
@ughme — Soft.
@sashalately — I just stare them dead in the eye while I press 'no tip' so they know I'm not afraid.
@jettlately — lmaooo
@reesemaybe — always hit custom tip and type in 0.01
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