Tipping used to mean something.

Exceptional service. A genuine gesture. Something you chose.
Now it’s a mandatory dropdown on a screen at a self checkout kiosk.
15%. 20%. 25%. Custom.
For handing me a bag.
I don’t blame the workers.
I blame a system that decided customers should cover payroll while the CEO makes $10 million a year.
We didn’t create a tipping culture.
We created a guilt tax on customers to cover what employers refuse to pay and the machine is now giving you a dirty look for pressing “no tip.”