I'm almost glad they're doing this on self-checkout now, since it clearly demonstrates that they will ask for tips even when there is no actual reason whatsoever.
Before this, you always had to wonder if perhaps you were being unreasonable in not tipping someone who merely rang up a purchase for you. After all, if the machine is prompting for a tip, then perhaps a tip is appropriate in this circumstance? But now it's clear that they will ask for tips even when it's absolutely unwarranted. So you can now decide for yourself where the 'line' is on tipping, since "did the machine suggest a tip?" is no longer an accurate heuristic.
Before this, you always had to wonder if perhaps you were being unreasonable in not tipping someone who merely rang up a purchase for you. After all, if the machine is prompting for a tip, then perhaps a tip is appropriate in this circumstance? But now it's clear that they will ask for tips even when it's absolutely unwarranted. So you can now decide for yourself where the 'line' is on tipping, since "did the machine suggest a tip?" is no longer an accurate heuristic.