I work at a small coffee shop in the state of Indiana. Oftentimes, when taking orders, I will breeze past the tip screen (aka select a $0 tip) and ask customers to scan their method of payment.
I’ve done this out of courtesy because I know that ‘tip screen’ culture is largely frowned upon. Like, the hate I see for this online is… well, I don’t need to describe it because you’re on Reddit and you’ve likely seen it. It’s led to me to feel like I’m begging for money. I hate it.
But, more often than not, I’ll have customers stare at the screen, bewildered, and ask, “oh, is there a tip option?” and lament because they don’t have any cash. I’ve even had some ask me to ring up something cheap so we could re-do the process—just so they could leave a tip this go-around.
If they have cash on hand after me skipping through the screen, they will always tip the cash (even if they only have a fiver).
I honestly am shocked and don’t really know how to handle this because it’s still embarrassing to flip a tip screen around lol. For the record, yeah, it is me making the coffee but still.
I just feel… idfk. *Flips screen* Here’s the tip option! I’m begging! Gotta do this before you can pay for your drink!
I just don’t understand the climate around this anymore AT ALL. What I’ve read online (the hate for it) entirely contradicts my experience IRL.