[thunky]

I had this reaction too, but then I heard a NPR segment where the interviewee mentioned that often times counter tip money doesn't go to the workers. So it's basically just the business asking you for more money than the posted price.

After hearing that it became easier to not leave a tip at the cash register. I think that's better for all involved than avoiding these businesses.

[seanmcdirmid]

I don't think that is legal in many US states. It is clearly not allowed in my state:

https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/tips-and-service...

[thunky]

Just for reference, this is my source: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/27/1145579337/tipflation-why-you...

BISWAS: People usually assume that that money is going to the server or the employee. Anything paid to the digital interface goes directly to the company's account, and it is up to the company and any contract they have in place that would determine how much of that money, if any at all, gets shared with the server or the employee. Just the word tip doesn't mean anything

[seanmcdirmid]

The company can collect it on behalf of the service, they might even have a tip pool in place, but in Washington state at least, there are strict rules in who gets the tips, even if they are made via a credit card/digital interface. Yes, businesses are free to break labor laws, but Washington state is very aggressive about punishing that kind of law breaking, so it just takes one employee to make a complaint.

[thunky]

Interesting, are you seeing an explosion of counter tip prompts there?

[seanmcdirmid]

Yes. And there are lots of mandatory tips going on as well, but in any case, as long as they call it a "tip", Washington state requires it to go to either servers or servers and kitchen staff (if a tip pool is in place).