Why is it compulsory to tip a server at Starbucks but not at a restarunt like McDonald's?

Question

Both are fast food restaurants. Food is usually more consistent at places like McDonald's (I didn't say it is good, just more consistent) rather then the inconsistent coffee drink's I get at Starbucks. In addition Starbucks compensation is normally better than that of restaurants like McDonald's. Have you ever noticed a server at Starbucks when you don’t tip? They give you a very subtle look as if you’re a cheap SOB… To me I can't figure out why I should tip them but not a server at McDonald's?

Answer 1

I don't tip anyone if they are not coming to my table with food. That goes for buffets too. If I have to carry my food, they get no tip. My rule only, yours may differ.

Answer 2

Because they have that cup with the painted Tips sign on it where McDonalds doesn't. Actually they have the Ronald McDonald house change thingy a good cause McDonalds go figure? Anyway I am just offended by these tip cups. Now I don't mind tipping but just because you work a register and pour a cup of coffee (sorry I dont' get the fancy drinks at Bucks) and get paid a salary to do this I have this obiligation to throw my change into the cup because it's there.
Nope sorry and futhermore I will bet that when they come in to work they throw in a couple of $1s (sometimes a $5) to make it look like well everyone else is tipping $1's so I should too and that really gets the tip jar a flowing.

Answer 3

You don't tip the Starbucks server, if they give you a look, give them one right back. They don't do anything that their salary doesn't cover. Which would be why you tip a waitress at a restaurant, but Starbucks pays well enough and they have good benefits. McDonald's probably don't give you the dirty look because most of their employes are Mexican, and in Spanish speaking countries the tip is usually included in the bill. Therefore, they don't expect it, or just because they work hard for less, and Starbucks employees aren't used to a little running around.

Answer 4

Ok, let me roll up my sleeves and prepare. I have been a manager at McDonald's for 5 years running now. In answer to your question, our employees are not allowed to accept tips and I don't believe that Starbucks should be able to accept them either. Our people get paid minimum wage with no benefits at all. I don't believe that that is the case with Starbucks employees, but to be sure you would have to consult one. So if they do get paid more or have more benefits, I do not think they deserve tips or that you feel you should HAVE to tip.

Now, in defense of all of the "idiots" that you all think work at McDonald's. Some of them are, I'm not going to argue that point. But have any of you stopped to think about some of the idiot customers we get? My crew get paid minimum wage to work harder than some desk jockey that does nothing but answer a phone all day. I personally am there while still going to college, others take it as an second job to supplement their other one. My point being, don't label someone because of the place they work.

Answer 5

If the Starbucks you visit pressure you into feeling like you are required to tip the employees, 1) contact corporate with your feelings/concerns since their employee conduct is hedging the unethical/rude and 2) change locations and stop going to that particular Starbucks. They are a dime a dozen now and do NOT qualify to require a tip as with true restaurants. Also, if anything is said, ask them to show you that the tips are equally divided between the employees and properly reported. If the Starbucks employees who make you feel like you need to tip are only a certain few...sounds like the manager has some ripoff artists around....

I've seen the tip jars at Starbucks in my area and have seen the employees say thank you when someone does tip. I've also seen the same employees smile and say thank you to a customer even when the customer doesn't tip. Maybe the ones in your area need a business etiquette course????

Answer 6

Well, tipping at starbuck here in toronto is not necessarily a must, but your a cheap shi*t if you dont. SO this is my theory... every starbucks ive been to, the server and ringer iner MAKES the drinks. or give you the stuff. i dont think at McDonalds acutally counting change and pressing the large button on the soda fountain is much of a challange that deserves my money. therefore, at Starbucks, making and REMEMBERING allt he coffee combinations on the menu is quite a feat, tehrefore a quarter or so in exchange for YOUR OWN IDENTITIY is quite recommended. i think at mcdicks where they tell you what to eat basically, no customization, why tip that? there are so many employees on one shift at mcdicks, who would get the tip? why shoudl someone who puts a patty on a bun get a tip? its not like making a hamburger is hard.........

Answer 7

You don't HAVE to tip the Starbucks people, but if you get exceptional service, It'd be nice if you tossed a little something in their tip box. When you're working for crap money, and your customer just spent almost $8 for a cuppa joe & a pastry, you wonder why he can't toss a couple quarters in the tip jar afterward. That nasty look is just a cashiers bitterness...it comes after a couple months of food service drudgery. Pay it no mind.
In most fast food places like McDonalds & BK, though, they are not allowed to accept tips anyway. So don't feel bad.

Answer 8

you tip for good service not as a requirement. In canada I don't think we tip at starbucks, there coffee is not that good but that has nothing to do with the employees. I love to leave a tip at the table, because we normally pay with interac and the waitress looks at you as your a cheap pr**k and when they clean the table they find a considerable tip if the service was good. I don't tip if I feel it's compulsory as most of the waitresses don't gat the full tips if it's on a visa or interac

Answer 9

You have asked a question that is a great one. Port-of-Subs has a plastic cup for tipping also. I don't always tip but I'll throw in a dollar if the people are nice. I have a McDonalds in my neighborhood that is not a place where you'd like to tip because the workers are not too friendly and nice. But, if they were, it would be nice to give them an extra dollar. I'm a believer in tipping.

Answer 10

You have to tip at Starbucks?? Wow...I never knew that. Mind you, I don't drink coffee and have never walked into a Starbucks in my life, so how would I know that? I live in Canada where there are Starbucks, but we're Timmy's kids here. Anyways, if that's true that you tip there, that's crazy.

Answer 11

Can you imagine the look on the face of the McDonalds attendant, if they had to remember the exact order of the ingredients you requested, and then prepare it himself, or herself? This is probably why the tip figures in. People see a Barista as an artisan, or skilled worker, which is true if they know what they are doing. Where as the McDonalds crowd just has to touch the picture of what you want on a screen in front of them. Plus it's hard to tip an entire assembly line, like the ones at McD's. You would have to tip everybody, even the guy who just squirts the ketchup on and then wraps it in paper. Just my opinion.