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The Free Press
I’m Sorry, But I Can’t Tip the Whole World
I’m Sorry, But I Can’t Tip the Whole World
Photo illustration by The Free Press. (Photos via Getty)
Everyone today—from cashiers to robot kiosks—expects a big gratuity for ringing up an order. Olivia Reingold asks: Can you refuse without looking like a jerk?
By Olivia Reingold
10.25.23
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The Free Press
The Free Press
I’m Sorry, But I Can’t Tip the Whole World

This summer I was at Newark Airport, racing down a moving walkway to grab a bottle of water before takeoff. I snatched a Smartwater, scanned it at a self-checkout, and then gritted my teeth at the price: $8. 

What a rip-off, I thought. But I know retailers hold us captive at the airport, so with no other options, I swiped my card.

Suddenly another notific…

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Olivia Reingold
Olivia Reingold is a staff writer at The Free Press.She has cocreated and executive produced Matthew Yglesias’s podcast, Bad Takes. She got her start in public radio, regularly appearing on NPR for her reporting on indigenous communities in Montana. She previously produced podcasts at Politico, where she shaped conversations with world leaders like Jens Stoltenberg.
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Economics
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