Kate Hackett
Let’s start with the basics that everyone covers when tipping comes up:
Yeah, there are some states that pay minimum wage to servers. Yeah, it’s a weird American thing. And yeah, the only people you hurt when you dramatically take a stand are the servers.
A new TikTok has sparked debate about tipping in a world of iPad tip requests, with viewers arguing over whether or not the tip prompts on iPad payment systems have caused a decrease in those tips.
TikToker Aubrey Grace, @aubreygracep, posted a skit in which she acts as a cashier. She flips an iPad around to show the checkout screen of a payment platform while her text overlay reads, “The pressure to tip.”
“The iced chai will be $6.49,” she says. “Insert your card and it will ask you just a few little questions.”
Another actor pretends to be a customer and hesitates while the cashier watches her decide between tip options, which are automated at 15%, 20%, and 25%. The caption says, “The awkward moment when they can see what you’re tipping.”
The video quickly went viral as viewers debated if the prompt helps or hurts tips.
“I used to feel so awkward but now I just hit the no tip and walk away,” one viewer wrote.
“I always tip bc i hate not being tipped,” another commented.
“I press no tip as if there’s no other option, like OK have a wonderful day thank you for giving me what I’m paying for,” a third added.
Toast, a popular point of sale company, says that businesses who use the software receive tips on 60% of sales, which is an increase from the measly 28% they say other methods (think receipts or tip jars) garner. Time reported that this may happen because customers feel “guilty” about pressing “no tip” while a worker is watching.
Other people expressed annoyance that they get a tip prompt when the trip required no extra customer service.
“Right. We got froyo yesterday, so you make it yourself and there was still a tip option. Like for??????” one commenter ranted.
“Nah cus i be SMASHING that no tip button and staring then right in the eye cus unless they r a server im not tipping u,” another declared.
“I was clothes shopping at a boutique the other day and it asked for a tip! For a shirt I picked out myself!” a third scoffed.
Customer service workers were also in the comments, explaining how important tipping is for them.
“Unfortunately about 60% of my paycheck is from those tips so it does actually affect us a lot,” one said.
“Baristas at coffee shops usually get paid minimum wage – y’all have no idea how much tips help us pay our bills, we really appreciate it,” another commenter stated.
