AITAH for refusing to tip at a self-serve frozen yogurt place?

Went to one of those self-serve frozen yogurt places today. You know the type – grab your own cup, dispense your own yogurt, add your own toppings, weigh it yourself at the counter.

I did everything myself. The only thing the employee did was stand there while the scale weighed my cup, then pressed some buttons on the register to charge me.

Screen asked for a tip. Started at 20%, with options for 25% and 30%. For what service exactly?

I pressed “no tip” and the employee visibly glared at me. Gave me this look like I’d personally insulted them.

I was on my phone later and kept thinking about it. I tip generously at restaurants where someone is actually serving me. Taking my order, bringing food, checking in, cleaning up. That’s service worth tipping for.

But asking for a 20% tip when I literally did everything myself except press the payment button? That feels insane. The yogurt was already $8 for a small cup. They want me to add another $1.60 for… what? Standing there?

My friend said I’m an asshole because “those workers rely on tips.” But they’re not providing a service. They’re cashiers. The business model is self-serve specifically to reduce labor costs, and now they’re trying to pass that “savings” back to customers through guilt-tipping.

AITAH for not tipping when there was no actual service provided?

Frozen yogurt tip dilemma in store

I Refused to Tip at a Self-Serve Froyo Shop—Now I Feel Judged

A customer is debating whether they were wrong for refusing to tip at a self-serve frozen yogurt shop where no actual service was provided.

A quick stop for frozen yogurt turned uncomfortable when a self-serve checkout demanded a 20% tip—and the cashier’s reaction made it feel personal.

Let’s Break It Down

The Backstory and Early Dynamics

The place was one of those fully self-serve frozen yogurt shops.
Grab a cup. Pull your own yogurt. Add toppings. Weigh it yourself.

The price came to $8 for a small cup, which already felt steep.
Up until checkout, there was zero interaction with staff.

The Moment Things Shifted

At the register, the employee watched the scale, tapped a few buttons, and turned the screen around.

That’s when the tip screen appeared.
20% was the default option, followed by 25% and 30%.

There was no table service. No refills. No cleanup.
Just a tip request—for a service that didn’t exist.

The Final Confrontation

The customer selected “no tip.”

Immediately, the employee glared.
No words were spoken, but the look said enough.
It felt like a silent accusation.

The Fallout

Later, the moment kept replaying.

This wasn’t about being cheap.
The customer tips generously at restaurants where servers take orders, bring food, check in, and clean up.

But here?
The entire business model is self-serve. It’s designed to reduce labor costs.

So why ask for a 20% tip on top of an already expensive dessert?

A friend weighed in and didn’t hold back:
“Those workers rely on tips. You’re an asshole.”

But that raised a bigger question—
Should customers be expected to make up for low wages when no service is provided?

What Reddit Thinks

Likely verdict: NTA (Not the A-hole)

Most Redditors would say tipping should reflect actual service—not just the presence of a payment screen.

Sample reactions:

“NTA. If I served myself, who exactly am I tipping?”
“Tip fatigue is real. This is getting ridiculous.”
“I feel bad for workers, but guilt-tipping isn’t the solution.”

A Final Thought

As tip screens appear everywhere, the line between appreciation and obligation keeps blurring.

If customers do all the work, is refusing to tip wrong—or is tipping culture finally breaking under its own weight?

90schilhood

90schilhood

AITAH for refusing to tip at a self-serve frozen yogurt place?

AITAH for refusing to tip at a self-serve frozen yogurt place?

I Refused to Tip at a Self-Serve Froyo Shop—Now I Feel Judged

A customer is debating whether they were wrong for refusing to tip at a self-serve frozen yogurt shop where no actual service was provided.