Customers left ‘confused’ after being asked to leave a tip at self check out
There is no questioning that there is a huge tipping culture in the US, something that has divided opinion online over the past few months.
While there have been many examples of tipping working well, there has been - well let's say - questionable decisions in recent months.
Earlier this year, one DoorDash driver was sacked after saying 'f*ck you' to a woman who tipped him 25 percent.
Footage captured the guy delivering the pizza, albeit with a slight pause as the woman in the house got her dog under control, and telling her: "I just wanna say it's a nice house for a $5 tip."
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Clearly the implication was that he didn't think the tip was enough, so while the woman said 'you're welcome', she got the response 'f**k you' in return.
However, this particular tipping story has left many customers 'confused' though, as they were asked to leave a tip at a self check out machine.
Typically, you are giving a tip to an individual for a service, whether that be a pizza delivery driver or a waiter at a restaurant.
So, with this, you are essentially giving extra money to machines.
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported on the rise of digital, self-checkout kiosks and how many customers were prompted to provide tips.
After speaking to many customers, the journal found that a large number of them were left frustrated after being asked to tip workers with whom they had zero interaction with.
The report spoke to a half dozen customers across the US, with just a small number willing to pay the extra fees.
Business owners have said that automated tipping cues can significantly increase gratuities, subsequently boosting staff's pay.
But a lot of customers are not buying it, with many asking the question as to what exactly the tips are for.
"They’re cutting labor costs by doing self-checkout. So what’s the point of asking for a tip? And where is it going?" Ishita Jamar, a senior at American University, told the Journal.
Another customer voiced his dismay after taking a beer from a self-service beer fridge at San Diego's Petco Park, only to be asked to include a tip with the order.
"I was confused, because it wasn't entirely clear who I was tipping," the customer told the Journal, though he did still tip 20 percent anyway.
A spokesperson for the stadium told the Journal all tips went to employees.
Callum Jones