Since When Was Tipping Mandatory?

Last month, I watched a video by a popular American YouTuber in which he pointed out that food delivery services (one in particular) are now asking for their drivers to be tipped. This isn’t compulsory, but...if you don’t tip the driver, you may have to wait longer for your food. Right. I have only ever ordered a food  delivery of this nature twice, both times this year, pizza with extras. I didn’t tip the driver either time, not because I am a mean person but because if I pay nearly thirty quid for a meal to eat in my own kitchen,  I don’t think I should tip as well. By all means tip the cab driver, tip the waitress, tip the barber, even tip the woman in the launderette when you take in your gear for a service wash, but a food delivery service?

I wondered how far this tipping culture had gone. I found out today when I ordered something on-line. I will not be more specific than that, but the redacted screengrab below tells the story.

In some countries, tipping is frowned upon, Japan especially. I’m not suggesting we should go that far, but an on-line retail company asking for customers to tip its staff – ostensibly – is one step too far.