Make tipping great again.
The problem about tipping is not money.
It's about being lured into mind games when the tipping iPad becomes part of the customer experience.
My solution: Pay in cash, don't play their iPad games, and tip however you want.
In this video, Professor Dipayan Biswas from the University of South Florida mentioned that current tipping practices is a result of the boom of digital kiosks and interfaces.
Now, here's why paying and tipping in cash works better.
You know that uplifting, generous, abundant energy you feel when you actually want to give?
The iPad tarnishes it the moment it demands 20%, 25%, or 30% as a tip while someone stares you down.
Customers leave bagel shops and dining establishments feeling mildly manipulated, and a stroke of negativity whenever they have to press loops of buttons if they choose not to tip for self-service, for takeouts, or for a bare minimum “Here’s your bagel” service.
Repeat this 10 times a week and it’s no wonder people get tired of it.
It's a bad customer experience, and it deters repeat customers.
When I pay and tip in cash instead of with cards, it solves almost all of the above problems.
Servers seem nicer and more appreciative.
There is no tinge of manipulation when I don't have to wrestle a tricky tipping machine while being stared down.
I leave happier as a customer, and much more likely to come back. Win-win for everyone.