Would You Tip A Self-Service Machine?

I’d like to think that Namibians are good tippers. You know, when you go out for a meal, or coffee, or when you ask a car guard to watch your car. I think generally, Namibians are good when it comes to tipping.

But where do you draw the line?

Now, I know we’re yet to join the rest of the world in getting self-checkout points at cafe’s, the airport etc.… But how would you react, if we had one of those, and you were expected to tip at the self-checkout?

I’m not stingy when it comes to tipping, don’t get me wrong! But how, and who are you supposed to tip?

So, according to the Wall Street Journal, several of these self-checkout counters at various different businesses are starting to prompt customers for a tip, when they use it to pay.

Like this guy who bought a beer from a self-service fridge at a park in San Diego. 

He says that he ended up tipping 20% anyway, though he really isn’t very sure WHO he was tipping.

And, I have to say that I agree. Again, I have no problem leaving a tip for the friendly, kind, and attentive waitress who served my family dinner, but I don’t know if I would tip at a self-service machine…

Would you? Am I just not really seeing the bigger picture here?