Yep. I’m in IT, so every time my parents’ computer “does something weird,” I get a call. Bought them Chromebooks a few Christmases ago and the calls have all but stopped.

Straight into the volcano

That’s part of it too, and I think the driver behind the overall “tip creep” trend, but I’d been seeing this particular brand of crap since long before lockdown

Speaking as an American, this crap is new. It started because of the proliferation of those iPad-based POS systems (like from Square, et al). They’re ostensibly a good thing (low barrier to entry, easy to deploy) but most of them come with an inbuilt tip request.

For my part, I never tip for counter service, unless I’m paying cash, then the change goes in the tip jar because I don’t like jingling when I walk. Nor does anyone I know, really. Same for carryout food. I’m not tipping you to hand me a bag.

Or to play Christmas music before then.

Sh… should we tell OP?