Customers are now being prompted to leave a tip at many self check-out machines — despite having zero interaction with an employee.
Businesses such as coffee shops, bakeries, airports and sports stadiums are now giving customers the option to leave a tip, typically 20%, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
While some say they feel obligated to leave a tip, others say its “infuriating” and feel its “emotional blackmail.”
“It’s just the store asking for money for no reason – in my opinion. It’s insane,” said one social media user.
Another said, “Not leaving a tip for a machine and I do the work at a checkout. Bad enough I’m doing the work at a self checkout.”
Tipping has become an increasingly controversial debate with many Americans experiencing “tipping fatigue” after more and more businesses request tips at self checkouts.
Square, a technology firm which powers many iPad checkouts, said transactions with tips attached had increased by 17 percent over the last year at full-service restaurants.
At quick- service businesses, they have increased by 16 percent since the final quarter of 2022.
Some landlords have even jumped on board, taking to TikTok as a platform to make a case for gratuity to be added onto rent.
Legally employers are obligated to give tips directly to their workers but businesses have faced lawsuits over the years for failing to do so.
