Is it appropriate to tip?

Question

First of all I want to say i'm all about tipping when appropriate. I make sure everybody is well tipped (i.e. waiter/waitress, barber, pizza delivery guy, etc)

There is a "Daily Grind" coffee shop a block from where I work. I usually see a tip jar in front of the cash register. Is it appropriate to tip? I feel I don't have to because they aren't doing anything that requires them to be tipped. Some of my friends say I should tip, but what makes them different than workers at a fast food place. Fast food workers don't get tipped.

Answer 1

I would not tip in this instance. If they notice you as a frequent customer and go out of their way to recognize you then yes go ahead and tip. If you get pleasure (the server is attractive or friendly) out of stopping in to get your coffee then yes tip. But if they take your order and give you what you want then no tip is necessary.

They probably don't make a whole lot of money so its just another way for them to get a little bit more cash. Do you feel sorry for them? If so throw in your loose change from the transaction.

Answer 2

I'm a little disturbed by the recent presence of tip jars at fast food, counter service restaurants. Like many of the others responding, I don't feel this is an appropriate venue for tipping.

By way of example, you will NEVER see any of the major fast food chains displaying such a tip jar.

I feel similarly about counter service coffee shops such as Starbucks. Just because they choose to put up a jar does NOT make me feel obligated to participate.

A sit down, full service restaurant is quite different. Servers, bus staff and kitchen workers really hustle to prepare and serve quality food. This extra work is reflected in the menu prices. You won't see any 99 cent sandwiches in that kind of store. And I recognise that the pay structure of such businesses take tipping into account. There is not much difference in pay for serving staff at a roadside diner and the pay in a fine dining establishment. These people count on a reasonable percentage of the bill to show up as a tip. The sharp, well trained, experienced staff at a fancy restaurant earn better income, becuse the menu prices are higher.

I usually expect and get better service and better food at more expensive eateries, so I tip better, accordingly. I don't feel I owe ANY tip in a place where I have to order my food at a counter, wait for my food, go up and pick it up at the same counter, bring it back to my table, AND clear my own trash into bins.

My son put himself through college working restaurants and bars. His experience has made me appreciate the job that people in the service industry do. I KNOW when it is appropriate to tip and how much.

Answer 3

I have thought about this as well. I frequently visit Starbucks and smoothie places, and tip jars are frequently on the counters. I am a good tipper, in my opinion. I tip servers, my manicurist, etc., well. However, I agree that people at coffee shops or places like that aren't doing anything more than what people do at fast food restaurants. I usually drop my change in there after paying with small bills or something, but I don't feel obligated to. Maybe I'm way off!

Answer 4

The tipping Nazis would have you tip everyone on the street who says "hello" to you. It's gotten completely out of hand.

Answer 5

For me, after spending around $5 for coffee at Starbucks, I don't feel obligated (at all) to spend even more. It's up to you.

Answer 6

Unless the girl is hot, then I put my phone number and name taped around a 1...

Answer 7

tip away!

Answer 8

Duh, yeah!

People like you is why I don't like working in customer service!