Should people who are getting paid regular wages get tips???

Question

My friend and I were arguing about tips this morning. Should someone who is working and getting 9+ dollars an hour receive tips for doing things that are outlined in their job descriptions? Whenever I go into StarBucks or any place like that there are always tip jars sitting out... Should I feel bad for NOT tipping?

Answer 1

I agree.
Why do we give service charge to a waiter? They are doing their jobs, They are not there volunteering. They are getting hourly paid for bringing treys and picking up treys. They are not doing us a favor. if They don't bring the food, They will be fired. It is like if nurses were to ask for room service charges and tips. Sounds ridiculous right?

In response to Kiki...so nurses should get tips too.....it's etiquette.

Answer 2

I have a family member who has been a waitress most of her life. She received tips, and only made wages of 2.75 an hour. Now in the state where she lives they take the amount of money the restaurant earn in the eight hour shift she worked, divide it by the amount of girls working and figure a certain percentage the government thinks they earn and they get taxed on that amount, whether they made that amount or not. So every time someone thinks it is her job, and doesn't tip her, she gets taxed on 14% of that total bill. Do you leave a tip that would equal what is 14% of that bill? I don't tip those jobs I know are being paid a hourly wage equivalent to the minimum wage or better. But most waiters and waitresses do not get paid that well.

Answer 3

I have a problem tipping at Starbucks because I don't see where they are giving a service beyond what they do at Burger King where you drive up to a window or walk up to a counter. To me, there is no comparison to going to a sit down restaurant where the wait staff is dependent on tips as part of their wages and they actually service you at a table. We go to a Starbucks drive-up window 2-3 times a week and I'm always amazed at how much money is in their tip box. I'm a good tipper at other places---I'm not against tipping---and I don't feel bad for not tipping at Starbucks, but I do feel confused as to why others do at Starbucks.

Answer 4

I agree that the whole tip thing has gotten out of hand. The tips buckets at drycleaners or Star Bucks are ridiculous. You get nothing extra such as service in a venue like that.

But there are the traditional places such as a restaurant. I was recently in England and some places are adding a "service charge". They get the money regardless of service so they have no real incentive to try harder like in the US.

Of course you tip somebody who carries your bags. If in a nice hotel and the concierge arranges something special you leave a tip. A little for the postman once a year. A cab driver and things like that. But these are all things where the person is in a position to provide better service.

So again these people who just always put out a tip bucket for say handing you a cup of coffee..... forget about it.

Answer 5

I don't think that there is any reason to tip someone at Starbucks or the cashier at Walmart for that matter.
My girlfriend things that you should tip everyone in a service industry job when they perform their job well, but that would mean tipping doctors, lawyers and pretty much everyone we interact with.
However, I believe that doing performing a task well is part of their job and I should not be expect to reward them for doing what they are paid for. After all, people don't give me money because I edit books well.
That said, I do tip waitresses, hotel maids and the like who require tips to make the minimum wage.

Answer 6

I hate the entire concept of tipping. The ONLY reason I tip is if someone has done an exceptional, exceptional, exceptional job and they are underpaid as a rule (like servers). Places like starbucks, massage therapy etc. I don't tip. That's their job, and they should be doing it well. They get paid well and it's their career choice. I mean, I am a hardworker and nobody tips me because I don't work with customers. But by your friend's logic, I should be getting tips.

Answer 7

It isn't required to tip, it is just etiquette. For people who are making under or just minimum wage and do to much for what they are paid for, then yes, I will tip. I understand what it is like to be in that kind of situation.

Many jobs are dependant on tips, but I definitely think that $9+ is not deserving of them.

Answer 8

No absolutely not - you paid through the nose in the first place for the coffee - its up to Starbucks to pay for their own staff. I will only tip if I get extraordinary service.

Answer 9

"Give me free money" is a common mentality with people these days. Waitresses and waiters who work for $3 an hour rely on tips to make a decent wage. Anyone who asks for tips while earning at least minimum wage is begging (IMO).

Answer 10

People who are getting paid minimum wage and above should not receive tips. They people that you need tip are waiters, groomers, hair dressers, manicurists, pizza delivery boys, etc. Because these people usually are either paid REALLY low wages or are on commission.