Too Much Nudging

(Image from phillymag)

Restaurants want their patrons to have a pleasant experience, but where it's most important, i.e., at the point of sale, many customers have become uncomfortable with the new payment touchscreens.

At checkout, the clerk, someone you see all the time, spins the point-of-sale tablet around to display your tipping options, ranging from a buck to two or even three.

You feel bad denying a friendly face but did the clerk’s efforts really rise to a level that merits a gratuity, let alone one of 60% or even 100%?

Payment screens are usually found at establishments with no table service, so no one should feel embarrassed about pressing the "No Tip" button. However, I often do succumb to social pressure and chip in a buck or two under the "Custom Tip" option whenever paying with a card.

All this nudging for dollars has led me to pay cash more often, not only to avoid these tipping situations but also to prevent the restaurant from acquiring my card number and other personal information. My negative feelings will not reach the point where I stop going to places that have the screens, but if an alternative presents I'll go somewhere else.