Tired of the Tip Section on Sales Receipts?

Though I am usually one to praise the use of credit cards as the preferred form of payment, something has been irking me lately.

While it may not seem like a big deal to some, to others it could be a source of uneasiness or extra stress. What I’m referring to is the tip, or gratuity section that you’ll find on almost all credit card receipts these days.

It used to be commonplace among restaurant and bar receipts, but nowadays it seems to be popping up on receipts everywhere. In fact, I see it on receipts at almost every fast-casual restaurant I go to, including smoothie stores such as Robek’s and coffeehouses. Although other examples escape me at the moment, I can think of times in the past where unlikely merchants included a tip section on their receipts. Perhaps the cleaners!

I feel as if merchants are offered the receipts with or without the tip section, and think to themselves, “Hey, if someone gives us a tip, great! If not, no loss to us…” After all, why not include a tip section? If a customer is willing to give you extra money for carrying out your typical duties, why not take it? And if they don’t, no harm done.

Hey, it may not faze many people, but to me it’s a source of discomfort. I see the tip section on the sales receipt and immediately feel a sense of guilt. If I don’t pay I’m a cheap jerk. At the same time, it angers me that they include a tip section on a receipt at a seemingly fast food restaurant, especially since the owner is probably reaping the reward, not necessarily the individual salesperson.

It just seems so obtrusive that these companies include a tip section on their receipts, especially since most of the merchants don’t aren’t audacious enough to present cash tip jars. And had I paid in cash, I wouldn’t be approached nor feel pressured into giving a tip.

I’ve spoken to friends and family about the occurrence of the tip section on sales receipts and many of them tackle the problem with careful obliviousness. In other words, they just sign below the tip section and act as if they never noticed it. I must admit I do the same. The second they hand me the receipt I sign as quickly as possible and hand it back to the salesperson, all the while feeling their heavy eyes stare at my trembling hand as I scribble my signature.