Everywhere you go, you are asked to leave a tip. Tipping has become a common way to show your appreciation for great service, including at restaurants and salons. But these days, you can’t buy a drink or donuts at a coffee shop without being asked if you want to leave a little extra cash.
A recent post on a popular internet forum had users discussing the strangest places they’ve been asked for tips. Have you ever been asked for a tip at any of these places?
1. Retail website
One user expressed shock when asked if he wanted to add a tip after receiving cash at an online retailer. Years ago you wouldn’t have seen requests like this, but this is where we are today. Tipping is not expected when shopping at a retail store, especially when shopping online.
2. Self-service restaurant
Many restaurants, especially coffee shops, have a self-service model. An employee hands you an empty coffee cup, and you head to your station to pour and adjust your own coffee. But before you leave, the option to leave a tip appears on the checkout screen, and worse, the employee ends up watching you decide whether to leave a few extra dollars.
Commenters expressed particular disdain for this model, complaining that employees were simply handed empty cups.
3. Convenience store
One person said they were asked for a tip at a convenience store. While some gas stations make employee-prepared grab-and-go food available to patrons, everything else inside the store is self-service, from filling soft drinks to pulling snacks from the shelves. This principle goes back to tipping in self-service restaurants. If you run your own restaurant, do you really need to tip?
4. Fast food restaurant
A forum member was surprised when asked for a tip at a popular fast food restaurant. Service workers are notoriously underpaid, but they said that felt a bit excessive.
5. Liquor store
One respondent was particularly shocked to find a tip jar at a local liquor store. Other commenters agreed, with some saying it’s pointless to tip if you’ve done the work of finding the bottle, taking it to the register, and then carrying it to your car.
6. Medical Spa
This might be the craziest spot of all. One person claimed that after receiving Botox treatment, he was asked to add a tip to the nurse on top of the surgery fee. This commenter stated that Botox is not a medical necessity, but many people choose to receive the injection to treat chronic migraines and pain.
7. Dentist
One forum member shared that her hygienist asked for a tip when paying for her annual teeth cleaning (hard pass).
8. Towing company
Not only was the commenter stranded on the side of the road in rush hour traffic, he was also asked to tip the tow truck driver who came to his rescue. Tip options start at 20%.
9. Movie theater
After selecting his seat, a moviegoer accidentally clicked an on-screen button to leave a tip for the theater ticket seller. This commenter was happy to tip the concession workers, but felt that throwing a few extra dollars at the person handing out tickets was a bit excessive.
10. Pest control services
Forum members were asked if they would like to leave a tip for the technician who completed the service when requesting their home be fumigated. They agreed because they were sent on the spot, but vented their frustration that tips were optional even for work that was already paid in full.
11. Ice cream truck
Some said they were asked for a tip after purchasing pre-wrapped popsicles for their children at an ice cream truck. As one member said, why should a customer have to tip someone to hand out something they could buy at any grocery store?
sauce: (Reddit).
