Why should I tip in a restaurant where everything is set up cafeteria style?

Question

Also why should I tip when I just paid an inflated price for a cup of coffee and the workers wages are not lowered to reflect the inclusion of tips?
This seems to be a trend in cafeteria style restaurants, where you carry your own food and get your own drinks, and trendy coffee shops. When you shuffle past the people making the food to pay there is a tip jar. What have they done to deserve a tip? Would it be acceptable for the attendant a a self serve gas station to put out a tip jar?
I understand that it is a fairly unrewarding job because I have done it and would have never thought to ask for an automatic tip simply for handing over a tray of food.
Am I wrong in thinking that this is just another example assumed entitlement in our society?

Answer 1

No you are quite right. I just ignore tip jars expecially after paying four buck for a latte! The only time I tip is after a sit down dinner - my pet peeve is when I interact something and it comes up - tip required - especially if the server is watching!

Answer 2

When I go to one of my local trendy coffee shops I often drop a dollar into the tip box (not a jar in this case). The ladies there are really nice, give great service, work really hard, and generally take care of me. I don't always tip, but I do often enough. Cafeterias? I don't usually bother, unless I am being treated well and given good service. Having worked in customer service positions for most of my working years, i know how hard a job it can be and just how under appreciated you can feel, especially after a long day of dealing crabby customers who seem to have nothing better to do than to take their own frustrations for the day out on you or have a complaint about something there that is out of your control, but they feel as if you should still be able to do something about it. For that reason alone I will put something in the tip jar, just to say "Thanks".

Answer 3

If they have servers who are serving you drinks and who goes and gets your food then brings it to you then yes you need to tip them. A standard tip is usually around 20% or more depending on the service.
And by the way, their wages are well below minimum wages with the standard being they make up the difference with their tips.
Those kids are getting ripped off bit time: You would not believe it just how much servers, get ripped off by their bosses. And the IRS.
First thing they are taxed (income tax and F.I.C.A.) by estimating what they will be making in tips and salary combined.
Talking about something there ought be to a law against.

Second in most restruants of any size out of their tips they have to pay the bus boys to clean their tables.
Again talking about something there ought be a law against that.
But if it is cafertia all the way i.e like most hospitals have where you go get you own drinks, refull your own drinks, get your own food. etc. then no, no tip is necessary. What for they never served you.
And no I have never been a server, waiter, nor has any of my family. Just knew a few over the years and could not believe it when one of them showed me her check.
So guess what I am saying is be nice to them because they are taking it up the a$$ enough by their employers. Every time you start to tip just think about how much they are getting ripped off for by their employers.
Well now that you have gotten me good a pi$$ed of thinking about how much those kids are getting ripped off and abused guess I'll get out and cut the yard.

Answer 4

No, you're probably right in thinking it's an entitlement issue, but I feel like I can always afford $1 for someone who's trying to make a living. If you don't want to tip, you don't have to, but someday, you might be glad you did. Things have a way of coming around in this world.

Answer 5

Yes you are wrong-these folks make about $4 an hour and are charged for tips on their wages.

You say they do nothing to deserve it well how about keeping the napkin contained filled up, straws and condiments replinshed, keeping the food neat (ie no pop spillage remains uncleaned, foods mixed in different compartments and no silverware to serve yourself)

Those things didnt get there by accident.

Answer 6

if someone comes and waits on you, as far as bringing you more drink or more food upon asked, then yes, tip for the services, but if you are serving yourself, then you should not have to tip.

Answer 7

I've never tipped at a cafeteria

Answer 8

one dollar per person if they get your drinks and remove your dirty plates

Answer 9

no brainer...tell um to get a job.