'Think about poor robot!': Self checkout kiosk asks customers to tip, sparks confusion and outrage

Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor

May 3, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

I understand the common cultural sentiment that tipping has gone too far. I don't think that we need to abolish the system altogether because, under a tipping system, waiters and bartenders are actually able to make a living wage in America. I don't trust that if waiters were making a fair hourly wage, they would make as much money as they do with tips, but that's just me. I understand how annoying it can be when every customer service interaction where tipping is not typically expected now suddenly has a little button asking if you'd like to tip 20% when all the employee did was turn an iPad around. I usually tip 20% anyway because I can't bear to look a worker in the face after I've supposedly stiffed them, but that's probably because I'm a coward. I do have some standards, and tipping at a self-checkout kiosk is a level I won't stoop to.

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