We need to talk about the card machine with a tipping function
Adeline loves food, lots of it and often, both at home and out. And something that caught her attention: the card machine with a tipping function. Can we talk about actually asking for a tip?!
In the far-too-long queue at Schiphol, my friend found a chance to run back and forth to the kiosk for coffee. I don’t like queues, but with coffee, waiting is even bearable for me. She came back with a large cappuccino and a little espresso and stood there looking a bit lost. What was going on? During the checkout process, the woman at the bright yellow kiosk had produced her card machine with a tipping function.
And she pressed ‘no tip’. Weird or completely fine?
A little inappropriate
The new card payment system with a tipping function at the coffee corner feels a bit like the cashier at Albert Heijn asking me for a tip. Why are we suddenly doing this? I walk up to a coffee bar, order a jet-black espresso to go and leave. Nothing more, nothing less. I pay, and in the meantime the barista does something for me in return. That’s the deal; that’s what we agreed on with each other once upon a time. But on top of paying a ridiculous price for coffee in a cardboard cup, which I don’t even drink in the café, do I now have to give something extra by way of thanks? I find it a little inappropriate.
Twenty percent?!
So far, I’ve clicked the unrelenting ‘no tip’ every time. But that immediately feels as though you’re giving the person behind the counter a huge middle finger. Even though the person in question is simply paid to do what they just did. It’s not even as though you can enter an amount yourself, no no. You get to choose between five, ten and sometimes even twenty (!) percent.
People, let’s be reasonable. Why on earth would I give a twenty percent tip for coffee I’m taking with me? Call me a stingy Dutch person, but I think ten percent at a nice place where I get a whole evening’s entertainment is more than enough. These days, you even have to hope that comes with a smile, but that’s not even what I’m talking about now.
A tip for delivery
This coercion began at the checkout of Thuisbezorgd or was it Uber? Suddenly, I got a bizarre extra step where I could already tip the delivery driver or the restaurant. Without knowing a delivery time, seeing a single slice of pizza up close or tasting anything at all. You’ve got to have some nerve. For all you know, your pizza arrives cold and the tomato sauce and cheese have slid off along the way. You never know, especially not in advance.
Giving a tip at a place where they fill your wine glass with a smile? Yes, with pleasure. Tipping at the airport kiosk where I come to get a cup of coffee in a cardboard cup myself? Hell no. And to whoever is waving that card machine around: it’s not personal, but I don’t tip at the supermarket either.
What do you think of this tipping issue?
Read also:
- Bizarre and disgusting behavior by hospitality guests #3
- Suddenly I understand that ham-and-cheese sandwich and coffee for the road
- 5 reasons why I love German Tankstelle so much
