Man goes to self checkout and is startled by wild demand | US | News

A traveller has been left baffled after a self-service machine asked him to leave a tip for its service.

The man, who was travelling from Denver International Airport, explained how there was “nobody around” when he made his purchase.

He said on Reddit: “I was just asked to ‘leave a tip’ at this self-service airport kiosk. Denver International Airport, midnight, nobody around for a hundred feet. Nobody to even make sure we don’t steal.”

The post ignited a fiery debate online, with some slamming the kiosk’s nerve while others delved into the wider tipping culture controversy.

One user said: “Wow, this is literally next level. My go to example up to now about out of control tipping culture was how Papa Murphy (a pizza shop where you take it home and cook it yourself) asked for tips. This is now my new go-to.”

Another user added: “As long as people keep tipping, businesses will keep asking and the percentage will keep going up.”

A third user said: “Tipping is voluntary theft, are Americans that giving or that stupid? Maybe there’s a better word but this just p***** me off!”

One more user added: “They are relying on the subconscious brain training from tipping everywhere else how greedy and opportunistic…”

A final user said: “Honestly, I kind of love these truly unhinged tip screens that make no sense. I think a lot of tippers just see a tip screen and press an option without really thinking because that’s just what you’re supposed to do.

“But when all of the social pressure is gone (there’s no human to exert social pressure), all but the most far-gone tippers are going to stop and think, ‘Do I actually need to tip here?’

“It teaches them it’s okay to not tip, and builds the muscle memory of pressing no tip. I really believe the end of tipping will be a tragedy of the commons situation, so when I see the most egregious over-grazers, I know the commons time is nearly up.”

Unlike in England, where tipping is more of a personal decision than an expectation, customer service workers in America usually expect an additional 15 to 20% on top of the overall bill to compensate for their service.

Offering guidance for tourists on how tipping varies across the world, a statement from the UK Post Office reads: “In most of Europe, tipping is very common.

“In many cases, it’s just built into part of the bill – very similar to the UK. Tip sizes vary from country to country, but if you get stuck or you’re strapped for cash – just add on 10 per cent, or round the bill up to the nearest €5 or €10.

“As in all countries, it’s polite to tip porters, taxi drivers and the people cleaning your hotel room – the expected tip is much smaller than the standard in bars and restaurants. If the service has been poor, don’t hesitate to hold back on the tip.

“As in the UK, it’s meant to be a reward for good service.” But for those visiting America, the UK Post Office’s advice is to “tip in almost every transactional situation”.

Denver International Airport has been approached for a comment.