Froyo customers rage after being asked to tip on dessert they served themselves: 'I just had a criminal experience'
The latest tipping ask is getting an icy reception.
Americans are growing more frustrated by tipping expectations by the day.
In recent years, more and more businesses have began asking for service gratuity, when not a whole lot of service is involved.
The latest industry to spark outrage amongst customers is the frozen yogurt business.
Self-serve froyo spots, such as 16 Handles and Yogurtland, are an American staple. The fun of the dessert experience is that you can pick all your own flavors and toppings.
What's not so fun for customers is that now, after you have your froyo cup weighed and pay for your treat, employees are flipping the dreaded transaction screen and asking for a tip.
'For what?' furious froyo fans are asking.
Customers online have argued that, because the workers do not serve the frozen yogurt or scoop the toppings, there is no reason to tip them for their service.
The latest industry to spark outrage amongst customers is the frozen yogurt line of business
Self-serve froyo spots, such as 16 Handles and Yogurtland, are an American staple
The fun of the dessert experience is that you can pick all your own flavors and toppings
'I just had a criminal experience at 16 Handles,' TikTok user 'Bitez for Baddiez' said in a video.
The user went on to describe how she created her classic salted caramel froyo cup, complete with two toppings (salted caramel turtles and cookie dough), before heading to the till to weigh and pay.
'After I swipe my card, a tip screen appears... for the frozen yogurt I poured myself and the toppings I put on myself.'
'This is getting out of control guys,' she added.
Another TikToker, who goes by the name 'jonnyhuxe', described his own experience.
'Tipping culture has gotten way out of hand,' he began.
'I grabbed my own bowl from the counter... there's a guy at the counter, he's just standing in the middle,' he continued.
'So I go through the line and I pull the lever on each of the little froyo things to put the froyo in my bow, and I go to the topping section and put the popping boba on my thing, put the sprinkles on my thing, put the little waffle chips on there.'
What's not so fun for customers is that now, after you have your froyo cup weighed and pay for your treat, employees are flipping the dreaded transaction screen and asking for a tip
Customers online have argued that, because the workers do not serve the frozen yogurt or scoop the toppings, there is no reason to tip them
The TikTok user reported that, when he arrived at the counter and swiped his card to pay the worker had the 'audacity' to flip the screen around and say 'it's gonna ask you a little question'.
He was baffled. As someone who works at a restaurant himself, he said he has no problem tipping people when they deserve it. However, when he did all the work to make his own froyo bowl, he said he does not see what the tip is for.
A Reddit user posted his experience with self-serve frozen yogurt shop Froyoland on the r/AmItheA*****e subreddit.
The user said they visited the dessert spot for the first time in a while, only to see they had installed the iPad checkout system.
They chose not to tip, but then posted on the online forum to see if that was a cruel move.
'For one, I have no clue who I would be tipping, and for two, no one working there helped me do anything, so I do not see a reason to tip really.'
They continued: 'But on the other hand, I know some companies and restaurants are allowed to pay their workers less because they expect tips... I don't know if Froyoland is one of those places, and if by not tipping, I'm depriving the workers of their fair salaries.'
It comes as Americans are sharing their frustration at being asked to tip in an increasing number of situations.
Just a decade ago, 15 percent was considered the standard tip for average service. Now, that number has spiked to 20 percent — or often more
A Reddit user recently posted about how they had been horrified to be forced to tip after ordering a pizza for pickup.
After they picked up their pizza and reached the payment screen, they were hit with a message saying 'Don't forget a tip!' and given options of 15, 20 or 35 percent.
There was also a 'custom' box, but no option to leave nothing.
When the customer attempted to make the custom amount $0, the website wouldn't allow the order to move forward — displaying a bright red message: 'Please enter a valid tip amount'.
'How can it be a tip when I don't have a choice,' the customer asked on Reddit. 'Well I did have a choice and went elsewhere,' they wrote.
Savvy users of the online forum offered advice to others facing this dilemma.
'Try 0.001,' one comment read.
It comes as Americans are growing increasingly tired of tipping — an expectation that seems to ask more of customers every day.
When a customer ordered themselves a pizza for pick-up, they were horrified to find that they were being forced to tip
Tipping below 20 percent is seen as a huge cultural taboo, something foreign visitors are baffled by, but certainly a norm in the US
Just a decade ago, 15 percent was considered the standard tip for average service. Now, that number has spiked to 20 percent — or often more.
In fact, tipping below 20 percent is seen as a huge cultural taboo, something that foreign visitors are baffled by, but is certainly a norm in the US.
A survey last year found that three-quarters of Americans believed tipping culture has gone too far.
The research also found that two in three Americans often 'guilt tip' — where they feel forced into adding gratuity by prompts at check-out machines.
The findings come amid a widespread backlash against 'tipflation' which has seen tipping culture spill out from bars and restaurants and into stores, takeout chains and self-service machines.
Meanwhile, foreign visitors appear to think that tipping culture in the US is outrageous.
'What the hell is tipping? I don't get it. Tipping here, tipping this, tip tip tip. I've spent two months here and [it's] tip, tip tip. Can I get a tip? Why do I have to pay you?' a man from the UK who moved to the US said.
And the food industry isn't the only space seeing outrageous tipping asks. Hotels are also trying their luck.
Some Marriott and Hyatt properties have started asking for tips at the front desk during check-in — a move many find off-putting.
Traditionally, hotel guests might tip for services like luggage assistance or leave cash for housekeeping.
But now, places like Marriott's LaSalle Hotel in Bryan, Texas, and the Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall in Boston have begun requesting a tip at check-in, View From The Wing reported.
'Needless to say, we ignored the tip request,' a guest asked to tip using a QR code at the Marriott LaSalle told the publication.
