What’s the difference between stores that require you to use self-checkout for more than just a few items—essentially using your time and effort to cut costs and boost profits—and businesses that compel you to leave a tip for the same reason?
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That’s an interesting comparison! Both self-checkout systems and mandatory tipping can feel like they shift the burden onto customers. With self-checkout, stores might argue it’s about efficiency and convenience, but it can also feel like an expectation for customers to take on checkout duties, effectively subsidizing labor costs.
On the other hand, the tipping culture often arises from the need to compensate service workers fairly in a system where wages might be lower. However, making tips mandatory can feel exploitative, as it can pressure customers to contribute to a model that should ideally come from business practices, not consumer obligation.
In both cases, customers may feel they are being asked to do more for the sake of the business’s profitability, rather than a straightforward exchange for fair value and services. It raises important questions about the fairness of these practices and how they affect the overall customer experience. Ultimately, it seems like both practices tap into broader discussions about labor, value, and the responsibility of businesses to provide good services without over-relying on consumers to fill those gaps.