I consider myself a good tipper, though not everyone would agree. I tip at restaurants, I tip my barber, and I leave something for the housekeeper when I stay at a hotel. But I don’t tip someone just for pressing a few buttons on a register or doing what they’re already paid to do—like taking drink orders, scooping ice cream, or handing me a fast-food bag.
I have no problem hitting “No Tip” when that option pops up—or even typing in “$0” if it doesn’t. I don’t feel guilty, because I genuinely don’t believe those situations warrant a tip. What annoys me more is being asked in the first place. Why should I tip someone for simply doing their job? Isn’t that what their paycheck is for? It’s hard to “go above and beyond” when your job is to take my money and hand me an ice cream cone (unless, of course, you give me really generous scoops).
Who knows, maybe one day these establishments will drop the tip option and just add a mandatory “resort fee,” like hotels do. It would be just as absurd: charging extra for basic things like using the restroom or talking to a human. Maybe they’ll call it an “establishment fee,” covering the privilege of walking through the door and being served.
Would You Ask for a Tip?
How do you think your clients would respond if you asked them for a tip? They’d probably laugh—until they realized you were serious. Imagine asking for a gratuity for doing exactly what they already pay you to do. It would instantly strain the relationship, maybe even drive them away. So why do we tolerate it elsewhere?
The problem isn’t just the businesses, it’s the people who keep tipping. Tip solicitation works because enough customers feel guilty saying no. I understand the psychology of guilt, but the rational argument against tipping in these contexts is so strong that it amazes me emotion still wins. These employees are being paid by their employer, and we’re already covering that cost in the price of the product. If everyone stopped tipping, the prompts would disappear—eventually. But it shows just how powerful emotional pressure can be.
The Car Wash Order Tip
There’s an automated car wash near where I live. But instead of choosing my wash on a screen, I have to roll down my window and tell a human what I want, so he can press the button on his iPad. Then he turns the screen to me and asks how much I want to tip. For what? For pressing the button I could’ve pressed myself? That one annoyed me so much that I rarely go there anymore. There are plenty of car washes where I can just deal with a machine—and thankfully, the machines haven’t started asking for tips…yet.
That, in my opinion, is how we’ll start to see tipping culture fade. If we stop supporting businesses that constantly ask for tips, and if they realize they’re losing customers because of it, they’ll change. I’m not holding my breath, but in the meantime, I’ll continue to proudly press “No Tip” every chance I get…unless, of course, they give me a bigger portion of my food or drink.
I’m curious, what tip solicitation has you most annoyed?