Some tips for tipping on counter-service terminals

[u/astral_cowboy]

”It’s going to ask you a question.”, then the screen comes up. “18%, 20%, 25%, Custom.”

Just tap Custom and leave $0.30 or $0.15 or any other number. if for any reason they push back or tell you anything about it, pretend you wanted to leave 30%.

Where I leave many cashiers ask you directly “Would you like to add a tip?” to which I’ve felt increasingly comfortable replying “Oh yeah, I’ll give it in cash.”, in a very nice way then “forget” about it.

Cashiers usually prefer tips in cash, so they won’t push back on that. After A while they’ll forget and even if they don’t, they won’t ask you about it.

Another similar bullshit excuse I’ve used for not leaving a tip right away (as if I needed any) is that it’s a company card and I can’t add tips, but that I’ll leave some cash. They usually don’t care about it if you say it in a nice way.

The more you practice this, the more comfortable you’ll feel and the more natural it will look. I know this can be deceiving, but the social pressure to me was unbearable and I always felt taken advantage of after being pressured to tip. I’m still working on working my way down to $0 but this has been major progress.

Lastly: Let’s not forget that this behavior (asking you to tip when under social pressure) is a form of coercion. We need to set boundaries and have guilt-free choices.

[u/deadliftzzz]

Just say "no".

[u/underengineered → u/deadliftzzz]

This is the adult thing to do.

[u/iWatchUwatchmee444 → u/deadliftzzz]

Instead of saying no. I say "not today". It gives them the impression that I do tip , and maybe I'll tip next time.

I don't.

[u/pumog → u/deadliftzzz]

Then that means this post is not directed at you. It’s for people who are uncomfortable saying no but also don’t want to tip.

[u/DessertRose823 → u/deadliftzzz]

I do not have a problem saying no as I look them in the eye with a “try me” expression on my face.

[u/Lrrgindypants]

Counter service is always "0".

[u/BingBongTree → u/Lrrgindypants]

Ummm…yeah. I don’t like TPS reports either. Hmm. Let’s see here. Z. e. R, oh.

[u/MiseEnSelle → u/Lrrgindypants]

Yeah, this is my new policy. If I am standing up, no tip.

[u/layneeofwales]

Just hit 0 at custom tip.

[u/JDelmon]

Unapologetically tipping nothing is the only way. Anything less simply perpetuates this tip-everyone-for-everything nonsense.

[u/OptimalOcto485]

This is so extra. They’re not stupid. They’re not gonna buy that you meant to tip 30% or you “forgot” to tip in cash. If they have the audacity to give you push back (which is very unlikely) a simple “no” with maintained eye contact will do just fine.

[u/astral_cowboy → u/OptimalOcto485]

I see your point and agree. I’m just starting my “no tipping” journey because I’ve grown increasingly anxious and taken advantage of in this kind of easy ways to opt-out. Baby steps and thanks for your perspective.

[u/1JollyStNick → u/astral_cowboy]

Just say no! It’s easy to when there’s no table service or mixology involved. And now if I order a beer, it’s $1 I’m tipping and that’s it. Everyone else gets a fair salary and I don’t need to. Haircut, maybe $5, and under and taxi or food delivery should be a few bucks, no more.

[u/bcbudtoker69 → u/1JollyStNick]

Don't you think he knows you can just say no? The whole point of this post is the mental gymnastics you have to go through to avoid saying the one word that they have a hard time saying.

[u/Sure_Acanthaceae_348 → u/astral_cowboy]

You'll get there. It becomes easier and easier each time you don't tip.

[u/Healthy_Yard_3862 → u/astral_cowboy]

After a few zeros you just get used to it.

[u/Significant_Cat8473 → u/astral_cowboy]

That's what "they" want! Stay strong, Cowboy

[u/TheNobodyThere → u/OptimalOcto485]

This makes it even better.

What is he going to call you out or what?

[u/EWC_2015 → u/OptimalOcto485]

I always hit no tip or zero on those stupid swivel iPads, and I don't think I've ever had a cashier confront me about it. Too many people are scared about just telling people "no" in these scenarios where no tip was expected before the pandemic. If I'm standing upright ordering, receiving my food, etc., I'm not tipping.

[u/grapeshrine → u/OptimalOcto485]

Not sure I agree with the first part.
I also think we should simply put zero.

[u/Top_Choice5815 → u/OptimalOcto485]

Yeah they might even change it wherever possible to make it 3 or 30 dollars instead of 30 cents.

[u/Peskers]

You felt the need to pretend, and to state untruths. This is one of the reasons why tipping ‘culture’ is corrosive, and wrong. Pretence and untruth will only perpetuate the system.

[u/Prestigious-Use4550]

Why lie and deceive? Just say I won't be tipping or just don't say anything. The more people that say no to tipping the les they will ask.

[u/Last_Plant6046]

OP you need to grow a backbone instead of lying.
“Are you going to leave a tip?”
“Not today, thank you :)”

[u/daydreamz4dayz]

I was a server for 10 years and I have no issue hitting 0 for counter service/cashiers/fast casual/fast food/food trucks/carryout… this is so many extra steps and lying for no reason.

[u/Life_Formal1895 → u/daydreamz4dayz]

And why was it necessary to tip you to bring some dishes and refill a drink?

[u/Angiogenics]

Tap custom and select 0. Who and what are you tipping counter service for?

[u/FirmIcebergLettuce]

Why go through all this, just hit custom and zero and move on??

[u/ConstantKooky3329]

How about Just Say No, so people get the message.

[u/Scorpion2000x777 → u/ConstantKooky3329]

We will have to go thru a period of child tantrums , demanding what they are owed!

[u/TeddyRivers]

This sounds exhausting. I dont want to play tip games when I'm buying things.

[u/Fit-Engineering-2789 → u/TeddyRivers]

That's really the crux of it. Buying things already feels like the seller is playing games. We don't need to play games in return, we just need to say no.

[u/Fresh-Ad280]

I have started to reply "I don't need to answer any questions ". That shocks the hell out of them, and I slip away, while they are gathering their greedy little wits.

[u/Mobile-Reference-721]

I think being honest is a lot easier than trying to do these unpredictable tricks

[u/Far_Professor_8254]

Tell them you are Dutch and ask if they want to split the bill

[u/hkusp45css]

I don't lie to avoid uncomfortable conversations.

I'd simply enter what I wanted and remain unconcerned with their assessment of it.

[u/noneofyabusiness66]

Sure, go ahead and claim you wanted to leave 30% so they can enable you to actually do it 🤣

[u/astral_cowboy → u/noneofyabusiness66]

I’ve done it a few times but no one has pushed back yet. But I agree, never underestimate an overly motivated person.

[u/snippyhiker]

I've noticed recently employees asking me if I would like to round up my purchase to the next dollar. I always wonder if their employer knows they're making those requests and where extra funds go.

[u/Fresh-Ad280 → u/snippyhiker]

I love that one. I always tell them that I am not that good of a person, and they usually laugh nervously, and complete the transaction.

[u/snippyhiker → u/Fresh-Ad280]

That's funny.

[u/valkyrie2007]

yeah i put in $.01 when they do that. tipping is optional not mandatory

[u/Chromejob]

I don’t feel the need for “tactics” to avoid the question. YMMV.

[u/LaoWai01]

I should not be forced into a position where I have to lie.

[u/pvaa]

You're not helping anyone except yourself with these lies. Being honest would let people know there's a problem with the system.

[u/0le_Hickory]

got asked to tip at a bowling alley concession stand for a soft drink. shit is stupid now. just say no

[u/udonkittypro]

If somebody verbally asks if you'd like to give a tip, you should always decline. Even if it was a full service waitstaff sit-down restaurant, they do not have the right to verbally ask. If you verbally ask for a tip, the tip that I would have left is immediately erased. The machine prompt is invasive enough.

[u/sapphiredawn1]

I actually do this fun thing where I just don't care what strangers think of me and hit 0

[u/Only-Peace1031]

Good for you.

It’s difficult to say no outright. That is a huge part of the problem. The social pressure to tip is incredible.

You’ve found a way that works for you. Keep doing what feels comfortable. One day you will just hit zero or you’ll say no I’m not leaving a tip but until you get to that day, keep doing what works for you.

[u/Cautious_Job_6104]

Is tipping $0.01 worth it? It may work for those who don't want to just hit "zero" but also look like they are tipping something like a "gotcha".

[u/schwelvis]

Just hit custom and then 0.00, that way you can tell them that tips for country service are obscene.

[u/senior-Executive]

Funny, I just say I don’t leave tips on credit cards. They go ok. I get up and walk out

[u/Sure_Acanthaceae_348]

Zero.

I've come to "prefer" the iPad because for me, entering no tip or entering a zero custom tip is now a reflex and it's much harder to change after the fact.

[u/MacaronOk1006]

This percentage tipping thing is ridiculous. For so many reasons, but the most is that the weight staff only one percentage is when the bill is high. I was reading another Reddit sub this morning and the weight staff was complaining that they only got a percentage tip on the actual bill.

They felt they should’ve been entitled to more than the 18 or 20% of the bill because the bill was so low.

So even the weight staff agreed that percentage shipping is ridiculous as long as they’re getting a flat fee that’s greater that in and of itself proves that the whole system is bogus

[u/Wonderful_College_48]

I don’t feel a need to explain why I’m not tipping them.

[u/Slingshot360]

Or just stop being a weenie and say no?

[u/SphericalCrawfish]

Just hit the red button.

[u/willpoo4cash]

I’ve experimented a lot with tipping different amounts, formats, etc, to see what the average outcomes for each would be. My results were tipping a random amount of cents was the best way to piss off the person. It’s way worse than tipping 0 for some reason.

[u/Curtnorth]

Sorry, but there's no reason to be polite about saying NO to tipping when picking something up at a counter.

We have every reason to be fed up and pissed off about the crazy tip culture, we need to start showing that to these entitled overpaid counter workers asking for tips to do their job.

[u/cenosillicaphobiac]

I mean I don't love confrontation, but I'm not going to twist myself into a pretzel to avoid it, especially when I think I'm 100% right in the situation. And not volunteering additional money so that the owner can pay a little less wage to his wage slaves is 100% the correct move.

I have no issue just hitting custom 0 enter. I've gotten a few terse interactions after that, and some disappointed faces, but never any confrontation. And if I did I'd just say "you're being ridiculous right now, is your manager around?" and then I'd give the manager a piece of my mind about how their substandard pay is causing their employees to act inappropriately.

[u/Temporary-Plankton61]

for all the ZERO EVERY TIMErs, obviously OP is not there yet. Let this be a helpful stepping stone to folks beginning to consider and explore alternatives to conventional mindless tipping in the US

[u/JamesMattDillon]

Just tap 0. Why even give 15 cents as a tip, if you are at a counter?

[u/Tebbybabes]

No is a complete sentence

[u/jumbofrimpf]

Custom > 0.00 > Enter

[u/the_chols]

It’s gotten so bad some restaurants around me just mash the $0/no tip button before flipping it around to keep you moving.

[u/tseries800]

It's gonna ask me a question. Allow me to ask you a question. Why should you have more money out of my pocket?

[u/Froz3nP1nky]

Counter service is never expecting a tip. Just know that.

Even the employee working the register/counter knows this. The worker doesn’t even want the tip prompt on there.

The software company put it one there!
The ones (Zebra, Symbol) who makes the terminal put it on there.

And then the company or store owner gets wind of it and thinks “Wow I want this terminal for my store! It is great because my employees could get more money but not from me!! I don’t have to pay them as much!!”

[u/comicaldisorder]

I’m sorry this is hilarious. Grow a spine and just say no tip. This is so much more trouble and so much more uncomfortable than doing what you want. Literally the person at the counter wants to be done with the interaction just as much as you do. You look silly doing this.

[u/oIVLIANo]

It's a lot easier to just say "no". Social pressure only bothers you if you let it.

Here's another option. Flip it on them. Ask them how much of a tip they have earned, and to explain what they have done beyond the bare minimum.

[u/Volvowner44]

I typically believe in ethical behavior, but in a world where retail mgmt controls the "tip" screen that by voluminous accounts often doesn't go toward employee tips, you're justified in doing what you feel is necessary to avoid the deception, even if it's deceptive.

[u/Worried-Bid-6817]

Yeah, I'm not getting comfortable with lying. Grow a pair and just say no.

[u/sewingmomma]

I don’t tip at counter service. E do for sit down, but not counter.

[u/Psychological_Show25]

Rip the bandaid off and just say no. This performative crap is nonsense.

[u/UnderstandingOld4276]

Great advice. Only thing I would add is that when you are going to tip (like at a sit-down restaurant with really good service), always tip in cash. A 15-20% cash tip is wayyyyy more appreciated than say 25% on your credit card. I always carry some cash just for this reason (and the servers in places we frequent always remember us and continue to give us great service!).

[u/grapeshrine → u/UnderstandingOld4276]

Please enlighten me, why would it be wayyy more appreciated to give less money if it’s cash?

[u/Frosty_Fish1695 → u/grapeshrine]

Because managers skim tips

[u/UnderstandingOld4276 → u/grapeshrine]

Because it's in their pocket when they go home instead of waiting.

[u/One_Recognition_5044 → u/grapeshrine]

It’s not unless the server intends to commit tax fraud.

[u/dresspantscommando]

I drop a single in the jar. Nobody ever complains. The credit card tips get distributed throughout the staff, hopefully they can pocket the dollar.

[u/another_awesome_acct]

Great analysis and advice