What is the proper way and time to tip a bagger at a grocery store?

Question

I prefer to carry my own groceries and haven't had a problem before. The baggers at the grocery store I go to expect tips. I wouldn't mind giving them a tip for bringing my groceries to my car however, I don't have a car. My hubby and I take a taxi and he goes to get the cab while I wait with the groceries. It usually takes 15 minutes. Whenever we tell the baggers we can push our own cart because we are calling a cab, they give us very dirty looks. There were also a couple times where they pushed the cart about twenty feet and expected a tip. One lady even held out her hand for a tip. Personally, I feel that you need to earn a tip. Rudeness does not earn a tip. Also, I don't ask them to bag my groceries, I would do it myself if they would let me. If they want to push the cart out and wait for the cab, I would gladly give them a tip. Do you think I am being rude and how do you think I should handle this situation? Going to another grocery store is not an option.

Pgh, I live in a military community and I have heard that the baggers do not get a salary, just tips. But, why should it be my problem that they can't get a better job. Its not my fault that those mean rude people didn't go to college, right?

Answer 1

Stuff them. Nobody tips me to do my job. I have heard that tipping in America has become an epidemic, and is just used as an excuse by employers to kep wages low.

Answer 2

I think the customer should be able to do what she pleases.
Talk to the manager about the situation. Maybe customers can have the option of bagging their own and carrying out without assistance.
We have grocery stores like that here in town. You must live in New York for service like that.. our baggers here do not take tips ever!!

Answer 3

Where I live the baggers never get tipped! I work in customer service and really appreciate the tips I get, but I'm in a totally different line of work. When I started my job I told my supervisor that I didn't know that cage cashiers could be tipped. She looked at me and said, "Well, no ****, anyone who does a service for you should be tipped!" I don't really believe that, because *anywhere* you go, *someone* is *always* doing a service for you. I don't know about the rest of the world but I don't have that kind of money!

Those people you talked about are just being plain rude. I would never give a tip to someone who is holding their hand out for one! Especially since tehy were hired as curtesy clerks and they are doing their job! Perhaps you might decide to tip them if they were nicer and, you know, deserved it.

Answer 4

I am in a military community...where the only money the baggers get paid is the tips!

Here is how I do it: If they bag and I carry I give them $1.00 or $2.00

If they bag and carry out to my car I give them $3.00 or $4.00

Holidays I double up!

Answer 5

I believetaht you shouldn't give up your hard earned money to someone who doesn't work equally hard in getting it from you. so I'm gonna say no tip unless the bagger goes out of his or her way to help, whatever that may be.

Answer 6

If they carry out to the car yes, otherwise it's their base job. Going out to the car means they have to hurry to catch up on other duties so a tip is nice.

Answer 7

i bagged for a year or so, it's not a tipped position.

however, if you feel like they really went out of their way, above and beyond your expectations, then a tip would certainly show them you appreciated whatever they did. that being said, if you never needed or asked for their help, EFF them

Answer 8

only after loaded into the car so if they dont want to wait then they can forget it..!!

Answer 9

What?
I have NEVER heard of this before ?!?!?
Where do you live?

Answer 10

you're not supposed to do it at all.