It is perfectly appropriate to tip service workers a certain amount. It is common practice in America, especially considering that the minimum wage is still very low in many states. Recently, however, tipping by tablet has become common in many retail stores and is attracting heavy criticism online. Ev, @incrediboii, was one of many who hated tipping by tablet, and she shared one of her shocking experiences on TikTok. In the video, Ev talked about how a grocery store tried to get a 25% tip from her, and people were astonished that they expected a tip even though she had not provided any service.

Ev made this video as Stitch with Minna (@livingminnaly), who feels the same way about tipping via tablet. Minna posted a video saying that she has decided to stop tipping unnecessarily, battling with the humanitarian in her. To people who called her stingy, Minna said, “For services, I definitely pay 20-25% on everything – restaurants, coffee, beauty treatments, things like that. But the culture of tipping via tablet has gotten so out of control.” She pointed out that even when shopping for a small greeting card, she was advised to tip 20% of the bill. She stressed that it is not okay for customers to compensate for the low wages companies pay their employees.

Ev followed Minna’s example and also expressed her disapproval of unnecessary tipping, captioning her video, “Stop it! Stick with it.” So when Ev and her boyfriend visited a grocery store called Tiny Grocery in Austin, they only bought a few things like cheese, wine, and deli meats. They wanted a little night out for two and had to shop for it. “I expected it to be more expensive than a regular grocery store,” Ev said. But when the cashier checked her out, she didn’t expect that she would be asked to tip 25% at the register. Ev was so taken aback that she gave the cashier a shocked look.

The woman simply bought the things she needed and left the store still amazed. She couldn’t believe she was expected to tip $10 for a $40 grocery bill. Ev said she couldn’t forget this incident for days. Not only Minna and Ev, but many other people believe that such unfair tipping for a service that was not provided is absolutely unnecessary. Some of them expressed their disappointment in the comments section and echoed Ev’s view.

“I would have laughed because I work part time as a waitress and you scanned my groceries, I was the one who walked around and got them myself!” commented @katue.1. “My botox/lip filler nurse had a tipping option. Like what?? They make $125k a year,” wrote @cj_gillis85. “I recently bought my wedding dress at a boutique and they asked me to tip when I paid. Outrageous,” commented @vannanori. “I tip for delivery and for being served by a waiter/waitress. Tipping is out of control!” wrote @oliviaincolor.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 25, 2024. It has since been updated.