Outrage after airport self-service checkout asks for 18% tip

An 18 percent tipping prompt at a self-service kiosk in Newark Liberty International Airport has sparked backlash over the expansion of tipping requests. Doctor and social media creator Clay Moss shared a video of himself buying a $6.49 bottle of water at the unattended kiosk, then questioned who the tip was meant for and why customers had to dismiss the option. Commenters called tipping at self-checkout unreasonable, with one wishing for a way to leave a negative tip in response to the irritation.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the concession operator, OTG, would remove the prompt immediately and that it would check other self-service kiosks to ensure they were not requesting tips. The controversy reflects broader frustration: a March survey by restaurant technology company Popmenu found that nearly 80 percent of consumers thought tipping practices had become excessive. At the same time, 59 percent said they felt compelled to tip when prompted by a digital screen, down from 66 percent in September 2025. The incident highlights the tension between widespread annoyance at digital tipping requests and the pressure many customers still feel to comply.