11 Surprising Places That Ask for a Tip

Tipping culture is spiraling out of control. It seems like every time you swipe your favorite credit card, you’re asked if you want to leave a tip, regardless of the situation.

Of course, it’s appropriate to tip in some situations, like when you eat out at a restaurant or get food delivery at home. And hopefully, you can opt to tip a healthy 20%. But savvy savers shouldn’t feel guilty about hitting the ‘no tip’ button sometimes.

We explore some of the most surprising places asking for a tip and why it’s sometimes appropriate to say no to tipping.

Some arcades give you the option to leave a tip when getting your game card for games. For example, some Main Event locations ask for a tip when making a purchase. In these cases, it’s completely fine not to leave a tip.

When you’re asked to tip after checking yourself out, you know things have gone too far. After all, you just handled the labor part of the checkout process on your own. It’s fair not to tip a company for your own unpaid labor.

Food courts offer a self-service style environment. Although someone might check you out, you generally have to find your own table, get sauces, and carry your own food. With most of the labor done on your end, you can opt to skip the tip without feeling guilty.

If you’re shopping at a local farmers market, you’re supporting small business owners in your area. But when you simply pick out your items and head to the checkout, there’s no reason to leave a tip. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to be asked for a tip of at least 20% during the checkout. Don’t be afraid to skip it.

After waiting in line to check yourself out during a stadium event, the last thing you would expect is to be prompted to leave a tip. But that’s exactly what happened to a couple using the self-checkout at the Superdome. Understandably, they opted not to leave a tip for the computer-based experience.

When a professional comes to your home to complete a repair, they generally charge a fair hourly rate. You’re not expected to leave a tip. The exception might be when a handyman comes out to do an emergency job in the middle of the night because they really went above and beyond. Otherwise, don’t feel bad about not tipping if prompted during your checkout.

When you go to a show, you might opt to pick up some merch for your memories. After standing in line to pay for an overpriced shirt, it might seem unexpected to be asked for a tip. But it happens. If you get asked for a tip at the merch stand, feel free to decline.

When you whip through the drive-through at your favorite fast-food restaurant, you aren’t likely to plan on tipping. However, it’s become more common to be prompted to tip. Don’t hesitate to skip this option.

When you go to a restaurant and sit down, it’s common courtesy to tip your server. But when you simply pick up your meal and hit the road, tipping might feel like overkill. Depending on the place, it might make sense to skip that tip.

Shopping around a retail store can be an enjoyable experience. Generally, you aren’t expected to leave a tip when you check out with your purchases, but more merchants are prompting customers to leave a tip. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t leave a tip during a straightforward retail experience.

Purchasing a new set of tires or getting your oil changed hardly warrants a tip. In general, these workers are paid an hourly wage for their skills. You shouldn’t feel obligated to leave a tip unless someone went above and beyond for you.

Although tipping is appropriate and expected in some situations, more places are asking for a tip when it’s unwarranted. Feel free to skip the tip when appropriate and save your money.