Caroline Downey

When point-of-sale touchscreens prompt double-digit gratuities for simple, automated over-the-counter transactions, consumer frustration with relentless tip inflation reaches a boiling point. Caroline Downey breaks down the rampant expansion of modern "tipping fatigue" across everyday retail, coffee shops, and self-service kiosks. Unpacking how digital payment terminals and corporate software design leverage guilt to shift labor cost burdens onto consumers, Caroline examines the economic mechanics behind guilt-tipping. Dissecting the broader political debates surrounding minimum wage laws, tip-credit eliminations, and "no tax on tips" policy proposals, Caroline explores how market forces and consumer pushback are re-evaluating traditional gratuity expectations. Is "tip fatigue" signaling an inevitable backlash against hidden fees and corporate guilt-tripping? Watch Caroline’s full analysis, leave your thoughts below, and subscribe to National Review!