To tip or not to tip: That is David Sedaris' question
To Tip or Not To Tip: The Dilemma That’s Coloring a HologramIn the world of media, where stories are preprogrammed onto screens and people are conditioned to expect certain behaviors in response to typical scenarios, David Sedaris has delivered another "gotcha" that even his fans might struggle with. His question today is not about whether we should tip or not—no, it’s about exactly what tipping is expected of us when they’re already conditioning us for it—and how this mindset affects our everyday interactions.
### Why the Question Matters
The question was first asked on *CBS News*, a show that often features dramatic and dramatic elements. On one episode, a group of friends go to dinner at a restaurant that has its own computer screen displaying exact amounts due. Sedaris takes it as an opportunity to comment on how we handle tipping in real life versus when it’s preprogrammed onto screens. He questions viewers: "Are you planning to tip? Or will you be one of the people who walks into the store and says, ‘Let me do the math for me.’"
### On-Screen Grating
The context of grating on a screen creates a mental image that even our inner selves may struggle with. When someone is expecting grating on their computer screens, they may default to the first impulse: tipping the most. This is the mindset Sedaris is probing in his question—how do we respond when we’re conditioned to expect grating?
Sedaris himself reflects on how he used to tip, but now it seems like the norm at some of our favorite restaurants. In fact, many of us haven’t noticed a difference since the days of preformatted screens. For him, tipping is not just about the money; it’s about the behavior and the respect we show others.
### Counterarguments
Some might argue that tipping isn’t something to be conditioned on—it should be an individual choice based on what makes sense for the situation, regardless of how people always expect grating on screens. Others might point to the fact that tipping is often overlooked in media portrayals or when it’s not a part of our daily lives—like at a grocery store or a coffee shop.
Sedaris’ article reflects reality: we do tip more than we thought because we don’t know when grating on screens, and we’re conditioned to expect it. But the question isn’t just about tipping—it’s about how we handle tipping in real life versus in media.
### The Inside of the Hologram
The "inside" of the holographic grating is where real-life behavior and media portrayals diverge. On TV shows like *Square One*, which often feature dramatic moments, viewers are reminded to tip by grating on screens—so they don’t take it as a joke or something that goes against tradition.
But in reality, tipping isn’t always the same across all media portrayals. Some shows have exaggerated scenes of people tipping excessively, while others show minimal or no grating. This inconsistency is where Sedaris’ question comes into its own—emphasizing that tipping shouldn’t be seen as something to avoid but as a choice we make every day.
### The Hologram of Tipping
For Sedaris, tipping is part of a larger equation: what you tip and how you feel about it. When screens grates on your bill, are you justified in thinking you’re paying too little or not enough? Or are the numbers just there to tell you "don’t get mad with me?"
In his 1983 *The Holographic Mind*, Sedaris argues that tipping is more than an act—it’s a way of thinking and a reflection on how we behave in life. When screens grate, people don’t know when it’s time to think about what they’re being paid for, but they can see that their tip decision has always been there. It’s a tool of communication, not something you ignore.
### Conclusion
The question isn’t about whether we should tip or not—it’s about how we handle tipping in the context of screens that preprogram our expectations. Sedaris’ article is a reminder that tipping is more than just money on a table; it’s a way of thinking and a reflection on how we interact with others every day.
As viewers of *CBS News*, you might not have noticed, but there are still moments when screens grate, and tipping seems to be preprogrammed. And as Sedaris writes his article, he knows that tipping isn’t just about the math— it’s about the mindset we’ve formed over time. So maybe next time you’re at a restaurant with your phone on screen, take a moment to think about tipping in the way you did before—and remember, grating on screens is part of life.
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