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Are we at a tipping point for the end of the tipping jar, because they’re being replaced by iPad tipping?  I find it excruciatingly humiliating to be confronted with being corralled into tipping. In the past I usually tossed change into the tipping jar for my morning coffee. Now I’m being asked to choose between tipping 10%, 15%, 20% or to click No Tip – on top of the cost of my coffee.

     It makes me angry to know that the person behind me in line, who by the way is breathing down my neck anxious for his coffee, is gazing over my shoulder to see which option I’m going to choose. In other words, whether I am a curmudgeon or not.

     It usually depends upon my mood. If the coffee is to stay and the barista has decorated my latte with a heart, her creativity is rewarded.

     On the other hand if the coffee is handed to me in a paper cup with the top not secured, I’ll skip the tip.

     With a meal I’ve ordered to go, I would rather put a dollar in the tip jar and not have to decided whether or not the wrapped sandwich I’m taking back to the office is good or not, because I haven’t tasted it yet!  However, if I’ve instructed no mayonnaise and lots of mustard, I’ll assume I’ve been listened to and I’ll tip according.

     Served that same sandwich, or any meal, in a seated restaurant I can judge my tip on how well the food was prepared and presented. Is the sandwich bread burned black when I asked that it be lightly toasted? Is the lettuce wilted? Was yesterday’s reheated pizza for customers today?

• Purchase takeout food from a place that you know well and tip accordingly. 
• If you don’t know the place, give the counter people a token of your appreciation by way of the tip jar, opt for 10% on the iPad, or simply click on No Tip.  
• Upon your return, the mer fact that you’re returning should be a signal to you that you liked the food well enough to try it again, and tipping on their iPad won’t feel as awkward.
  

• Tipping should make you feel good, not manipulated. If you’re feeling grouchy and you haven’t sampled the food and/or beverage before, don’t tip. 

But when you return tip generously to make up for your stinginess.

• Another way of looking at iPad tipping is: “Well, if that were me or my child or friend doing the serving, I would want customers to tip me, him or her.”