Lakatos and Lord discuss tipping etiquette on podcast

In a recent episode of the podcast ‘Barátság extrákkal’, writer and podcaster Levente Lakatos and content creator Kiara Lord discussed the evolving etiquette of tipping in the age of digital payments.

Lakatos expressed discomfort with the social pressure exerted by card machines that prompt customers to select a tip amount. He argued that while service workers are often underpaid, they receive a set salary for the work they have agreed to perform. He noted that he often chooses the minimum tip, particularly when service is impersonal or lacks extra effort, stating that he does not feel obligated to provide extra compensation for standard service.

Kiara Lord shared similar sentiments, describing the awkwardness of being forced to decide on a tip amount during minimal human interaction, such as when ordering a simple coffee, which can make the transaction feel robotic.