Newark Airport self-checkout demands 18% tip even though no employee is working: 'He had to click out of it'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Oct 29, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Should you have to tip on something you didn't get service for?

Tipping culture has gotten way out of hand these days. It's a pretty huge part of living life in 2026. We're adding 20 percent to everything we do, and that's just the way it goes. But does this mean we have to stand for it? Tipping on something that you didn't even get service for is a pretty big ask. You have to wonder, who is it even going to? Tipping is important to do for workers who rely on it for their income. This was me for a long time. If the tips weren't coming in, then I was in the hole. And it's frustrating for everyone when that's the case. It passes the buck from the owners to the customers in a way that can feel unfair. If we all just made a living wage, then we wouldn't have to worry about it, but that doesn't seem to be the case these days. It's also frustrating for a customer, though, because you don't want to have to pay extra for something you didn't even receive. Not these days. Everything is expensive enough; we don't need it to be more expensive than it already is. 

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  • 01
    A person swipes their credit card in a pay terminal
    via Blake Wisz

    Recreated scenario included to enhance reader understanding.  


    A person swipes their credit card in a pay terminal

  • 02

    Entitled airport self- checkout demands 18% tip for a $6.49 water when there is literally no employee working.

    Saw this story going viral today. A doctor was at Newark Airport Terminal C and went to buy a bottle of water for $6.49 at a self-checkout CIBO Express store. There was no cashier, no worker at all, he scanned it himself.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 03
    When he went to pay, the screen demanded an automatic 18% tip. He had to click out of it to avoid paying $1.17 extra for no service.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 04
    He filmed it saying "Who am I tipping here?" and showed the empty store. The video blew up on Instagram and TikTok and now the Port Authority said they are forcing the company to remove the tip screen.
    via u/MaarHot

  • It's hard to afford a lot these days. The cost of living keeps on rising and salaries do not necessarily raise to keep up with it. So you might end up trying to cut corners where you can, and that might mean keeping an eye on tipping all the time. But that gets hard to do when you're constantly being hounded for tips. It feels like everywhere you go, someone is asking for a tip. Even if you don't feel like you got particularly good service, you feel obligated to give 20 percent. Personally, I always do it, because I've been there. But things shouldn't go on this way forever. The situation in this story was particularly egregious. Airports are notorious for high prices. They know they have you captive, so they'll charge you an arm and a leg for a bottle of water. But what else are you going to do? It's not like you can leave the airport and go check prices. So you just swallow your pride and then pay for the water bottle. But what would you do if they then asked for a tip? That's what happened in this outrageous tipping story that was circulating on the internet. Things seemed to be reaching new highs of outrageousness, and we need to talk about it in community. Keep reading to see what happened here, and let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

  • 05
    Pointy_Stix I got asked to tip for buying a hoodie for my kid at the airport store. Tip who? The guy behind the counter who pointed to the credit card machine? I opted out. Dude looked mildly disappointed. Oh, well.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 06
    Gorf_the_Magnificent I bought a sandwich from a vendor at an airport, and the tip screen came up. I jokingly said to the clerk, "How much should I tip?" The clerk replied, "Don't tip anything. The company keeps all the tips."
    via u/MaarHot
  • 07
    I said "Seriously?" and he said, "Why would I lie?" Probably the same situation here.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 08
    am_l_invisible_ It's bad enough they're charging $6.49 for a bottle of water!
    via u/MaarHot
  • 09
    ToKnowAilstoHateAi The more I learn about America, the happier I am that I'm not American.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 10
    Alternative_Design_4 You people (rolls eyes). You just don't get it! Those vending machines have a demanding job. They're on their wheels all day long! They know the water list and can recite it by (mechanical) heart! They deliver your water practically into your hand! They get paid less than minimum wage, too. How are they supposed to pay for rent, or oil?
    via u/MaarHot
  • 11
    If you can't afford to tip your robotic servant, you can't afford that $6.49 bottle of water, so just stay home, miser!
    via u/MaarHot
  • 12
    A person uses tap to pay on their device with their credit card
    via Nathana Rebouças

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


    A person uses tap to pay on their device with their credit card

  • 13
    MaarHot OP For those asking, the Port Authority actually confirmed the video is real and told OTG (the company that runs the stores) to remove the tip screen. So the viral video worked lol
    via u/MaarHot
  • 14
    Plastic_Cat9560 I was at a gas station, pumped my own gas, and the screen comes up for a tip after putting the nozzle back. I press custom with a fat ZERO, then the screen comes up for receipt/no receipt. Not an airport story, but just as insane. A gas station, where I do all the work. This st needs to end.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 15
    Kimikimikimi1216 My Sis and I were at a game at Golden1 Arena here in Sacramento and they do this. You grab your drink yourself and take it to the self checkout computer and it wants a freakin tip. Ridiculous.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 16
    RiverComplex1769 This crop needs to stop. I'm doing my part by laughing at the "it's gonna ask you a question" and telling the person turning the pad towards me "ooh I love this game, asking for a tip while I'm standing and haven't received any service" custom........01
    via u/MaarHot
  • 17
    SelectSeaweed310 The gift shop outside of the Caesars Palace Colloseum where you pick out your own merchandise has a tipping prompt. It's just a cashier standing there. But it is Vegas.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 18
    Parkstyles There is a robot that makes drinks in the Planet Hollywood shops that also asks for tips. I guess he needs to pay for its little robots health insurance. No employees either.
    via u/MaarHot
  • 19
    Zannie95 That happened to me as well. Thank goodness I caught it before the purchase was finalized
    via u/MaarHot
  • 20
    Several-Honey-8810 It is a complete ripoff. Same at the stadium. I walk in, I grab the beverage, I tap the card, I open the can. Someone is there waiting for a tip because-they are a volunteer. I never got that kind of tip when I worked for tuition.
    via u/MaarHot

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working workplace bad bosses toxic-work-environment tipping
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