A video that TikToker Chelo Abbe posted recently has gone viral and started a conversation about how tipping affects the economy in the United States. In the video, he asks businesses to stop making their point-of-sale systems ask customers for tips every time they make a purchase. People have said that this method is inefficient and could be deceptive. He says that having to politely turn down tips every time he buys something makes many different interactions awkward.
Abbe says that a recent conversation he had with an employee at a checkout counter is a good example of the kind of conversation he would rather not have in person. Because his choice of “No Tip” didn’t work, he had to tell the worker in person that he didn’t want to leave a tip.
Chelo goes on to say that he knows it’s not the workers’ fault and that he thinks there are probably a lot of people who work in the service industry who think the same way he does.
This tipping stuff is getting so out of hand and so awkward,
Abbe says in the video.
I literally just handed the lady my credit card and she goes, ‘hey it’s gonna ask you a question so I can finish up here.’
Abbe goes on to say that he tried to choose “no tip” but couldn’t. This made the worker ask Abbe which option he wanted to choose from the ones that were available. He says,
I had to answer her, I had to be like, ‘no tip.’
I can’t do these interactions anymore, these interactions are so awkward and I know it’s not the employees’ decision, like I know it’s the higher-ups, but I just, I can’t tip for everything, I order,
said Abbe in the TikTok.
Like I can’t, I can’t tip on every single thing I purchase in my life. I can’t do this anymore.
Abbe added in the caption,
I just want my coffee mannnn.
A recent statement made by a Starbucks barista that went viral said that the decision to automatically ask customers if they want to tip at the checkout counter has made their jobs harder. The statement was made when the customer was asked if they wanted to leave a tip. She says that because of technical problems, they have to walk customers through the new way to pay and reset their registers. Customers have also complained about digital reminders to add tips to their orders, which shows that Abbe is most likely not the only one who feels this way.
It seems like a lot of people who watched his video feel the same way Abbe does. A lot of users have said that they can’t add tips to everything they buy because it would cost too much. They also say that it makes them less likely to go to coffee shops and other places where they can choose to leave a tip automatically as part of the transaction.
Some people said that since it was their money, they should just be able to click the “no tip” button and go on with their day. Other TikTokers were sure that they should only give a tip when they were eating at a restaurant and their server did more work, like bringing them food and drinks or making suggestions.
I hit no tip and i dont care if they’re feelings are hurt because its my money and thats that,
a comment read.
Tipping should only be for sit down restaurants,
another wrote,
When someone actually serves you not when you order coffee or a donut over the counter.
Unless ur a waiter or driver No tip. I mean should I tip the cashier at Home Depot?
said another.
Others put the practice of tipping into perspective by comparing it to things that are done in other fields.
One user said,
I work at a hospital.. i get no tip for helping keeping people alive.
Some people have said that all jobs should have competitive salaries and that tipping should be banned completely.
Another user said,
Tipping should be banned and workers should be paid properly.
