Self-Checkout Machine Now Demands 20% Tip, Asks If You’re “Sure You Want To Be Cheap.”
In the latest move to squeeze the already fragile wallets of grocery shoppers, Kroger unveiled a new “hospitality upgrade” at their self-checkout kiosks: a mandatory tipping screen.
Customers who attempt to select “No Tip” are met with a passive-aggressive pop-up reading: “Are you sure you want to be cheap? The machine worked very hard to scan your frozen pizza rolls.”
“It used to be that I’d tip a waiter for carrying food to my table,” said local shopper Dan Turner. “Now I’m tipping a touchscreen for giving me an error message about unexpected items in the bagging area. What’s next, tipping my toaster?”
Corporate spokespeople defended the change, insisting the funds go toward “improving the morale of our machines.” Early reports suggest the kiosks have already unionized and are demanding dental coverage.
