Tip or Not to Tip: The Self-Checkout Dilemma Stoking American Outrage!

In a dramatic twist to America's tipping norms, customers are now pushed to tip even when they're doing the work themselves at self-checkout kiosks.

Tipping norms in America have been turned on their heads since the pandemic struck, with the latest battleground being the self-checkout lines. The generous spirit of American customers is being manipulated with prompts to leave tips in the unlikeliest of places: self-checkout kiosks at airports, grocery stores, stadiums, and cafes. Confused customers are left scratching their heads, wondering who their benevolence is truly benefiting.

This alarming trend, aptly termed “tip creep,” is no accidental phenomenon. It has snowballed into a crisis ever since governments and companies enacted arbitrary ‘COVID-19 Policies’ over three years ago. Initially, as the regulations unfolded, many Americans heeded the call to bolster their tips to service workers. It was said to be a noble act to acknowledge the economic hardship and risk these workers faced to provide essential services.