Most Canadians would probably agree that tipping culture has gotten out of control.
Gone are the days when a simple 15% gratuity at a sit-down restaurant or a couple of bucks for a taxi driver was the norm. Now, it feels like every transaction comes with an iPad screen nudging you toward an 18%, 20%, or even 25% tip — sometimes for services that never required tipping in the first place.
A recent H&R Block Canada survey confirms what many already feel: 94% of Canadians think tipping has gone too far, and 90% believe gratuities are just too high. While payment machines push for 18% or more, the survey found that the average Canadian considers 9% to be a fair tip — far lower than what’s now expected at restaurants.
The debate has sparked memes, frustration and plenty of awkward checkout moments. But some of the places Canadians have been asked to tip are so bizarre, they almost seem like satire.
With that in mind, we took to social media to ask MTL Blog readers across the country about some of the most ridiculous places where they’ve been prompted to leave a tip.
From funeral homes to department stores, here are some replies that left us baffled.
Takeout counters
Takeout counters have become a hot topic in the tipping debate.
Many people wonder, If I pick up the food myself, do I still need to tip?
But plenty of commenters agreed that skipping delivery should also mean skipping the tip.
“I picked it up myself — there was no delivery. Your job is to put the chicken in the box, and you get paid for that. I don’t feel I have to tip on top of it,” one user wrote bluntly.
Another wrote, “I only give a tip if I sit down and get served.”
Some even extended the argument to delivery drivers.
“If I’m already paying a delivery fee, why should I tip on top of that? If the driver isn’t making enough, that’s the employer’s problem — not mine,” one person wrote.
Self-serve coffee counters
Similar to the takeout counter issue, we got replies from folks who’ve been asked to give a few bucks at self-service coffee stations
One Nova Scotia-based reader recalled the experience of making their own beverage and then being asked to drop some extra dough: “They hand you a styrofoam cup and you have to go to the coffee machine and make your own. Then they have an empty cup at the cash for tips. For what???”
Funeral home
Picture this: You’re grieving, paying your respects to a loved one, and then bam — out comes the credit card machine, prompting you for a tip.
That’s exactly what apparently happened to one user, whose anecdote prompted a handful of (reasonably) shocked replies.
Bakery
While some bakeries go above and beyond, making homemade sandwiches and artisanal coffee, two commenters recalled how they were asked to leave a tip after stopping in to buy a single loaf of bread.
Another user named a popular Quebec-based bakery chain, accusing them of the same practice.
Self-checkout
We’ve officially entered the Black Mirror era of tipping because now, even machines are asking for a cut.
“SELF-checkout at Canadian tire. Who was I supposed to tip? Myself?” one anecdote read.
Another recalled being asked for a pourboire at a gas station. We can only assume it wasn’t the kind where someone actually pumps the gas for you.
Mechanics
Tipping your hairdresser makes sense, but your mechanic? Some Canadians say they’ve been put on the spot after something as routine as an oil change.
Multiple commenters shared how they were also unexpectedly asked if they’d like to leave a little extra for their auto service or even appliance repairs.
“Appliance repair services technician. The company’s payment machine was programmed for a tip!” recalled one reader. “The technician indicated to disregard it.”
Clothing stores
Tipping at restaurants is one thing, but at clothing stores? A few folks shared their surprise at being prompted to tip while simply buying clothes.
One even claimed they were asked to tip after purchasing a pair of shoes online!
In the wild
Tipping culture isn’t just creeping into restaurants and cafes — it seems to be making its way into the great outdoors too.
“After canoeing on Lake Louise, they forced a tip on us even though me and my husband did the canoeing ourselves!” one Facebook user wrote.
Fast-food chains
Fast food and tipping don’t usually go hand in hand, but a few household names were tossed around in our thread, including Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Domino’s and Tim Hortons.
Ticket scanners
Yes, even the person scanning tickets at a music festival solicits tips now — at least according to one attendee at a Montreal event.
The dentist
Going to the dentist is already painful enough. Now, imagine being asked to tip on top of it.
One person claimed they were prompted to leave a gratuity after their appointment.
Maybe we shouldn’t accept their “complimentary” toothbrush and floss anymore.
If there’s one thing this list proves, it’s that nowhere is safe from a tip prompt. Whether you’re grabbing a loaf of bread, fixing a cavity or even mourning a loved one, there’s a decent chance you’ll be nudged to leave a little extra.
At this rate, we might need a tip jar of our own for putting up with it all.
