When Is It Ok To Tap, "No Tip"

America's one-size-fits-all culture of gratitude giving is getting out of control

My card tapped. 
The cashier pretended to look away. 
There was an awkward moment of silence. 
The obligatory screen. The customary tip. 
Am I being judged? Who’s behind me? I can’t decide. 
Should I just close my eyes and pin the tail on the donkey? 
I will go low. 15% then, or maybe a dollar?  
Am I being cheap? But it makes no sense.
They make coffee and I already paid for it. 
What’s it for? Who gets it? What’s appropriate? 
10% seems ok. But that’s custom. 
More screens. More time. More awkwardness.
What if I don’t tip? Will she notice? Does he care? 
Tap something. Just tap and leave.
Tap. 20%. Awkward silence ends. 
They smile. We will call your name when it’s ready.

I blame it all on our post-pandemic economy. Prices have gone up because the cost of goods has gone up. Have you felt the pinch yet?

Many Americans are in a sour mood about the economy for one main reason: Prices feel too high.¹

Before we redefined what normal meant, my emergency tip-calculating brain cells always did …