The purchase cost about 5 bucks and took two minutes. The columnist tipped anyway, admitting to a habit of panic-tipping in moments like that one.
The writer says they're a generous tipper and understand why some industries depend on tips. What changed over the past few years is how many places ask, including businesses that don't typically ask for tips.
Wages sit at the center of the complaint. The columnist points to workers on minimum wage and says even $15 or $20 an hour doesn't go far now that prices have gone up so much. The argument is that many businesses make ends meet by guilt-tripping customers into spending more, instead of giving employees raises, bonuses, or incentives.
For folks in Lubbock, the pressure lands right at the counter. A quick errand now carries a second decision, and kind customers pick up the cost because they can't walk away from someone earning so little. The practice, the columnist says, is icky and not a good look.
The columnist's nice-o-meter is running on empty, and one pack of smokes helped drain it.