Cartoonist Mark Parisi illustrates the proliferation of tipping as a practice for services that do not traditionally solicit tips. This dog really hopes that you wil click "Custom".
In the past year or so, I've seen automatic payment systems asking for tips and outrage from people on X and in real life objecting to this practice. But with the rise of AI, I accept that it may be worthwhile giving in to this shakedown. Perhaps tipping a robot now delays my future rightsizing into biomass energy.
My personal tipping policy is as follows. If you ask, even once, you won't get one. If I wish to tip, it will never be on my card, but it will be in cash, discrete, and more often than not, generous.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
I've eaten at a lot of local places lately -not fast food- where you order at the counter, then pay and are asked for a tip (on the machine you swipe yourself) while the clerk stares at you. Then you pick up your own food, get your own drink and silverware, and are directed to clean up your own mess.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)