Do you tip at Starbucks?

[Haven]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:24:18 AM
Author: HollyS
I sense a lot of disdain, resentment, and downright anger from many of you over this issue; for heaven''s sake why?

Generousity of spirit, spread around the circle of life you occupy, will make the world a better place. It''s just that simple. So do something nice today, like leaving a tip at Starbucks.

I don''t sense any of these ill feelings--I think people are just trying to express their opinions.

As for generosity of spirit making the world a better place, I completely agree with you. This just doesn''t seem like one of those opportunities to do something nice, though. I still believe that expecting a tip for making a cup of coffee is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Mara]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:24:18 AM
Author: HollyS
I sense a lot of disdain, resentment, and downright anger from many of you over this issue; for heaven's sake why?

Are you really going to miss that change from your order that you could throw in the tip jar; or would you just have wasted it on something else as silly as a $4 specialty coffee drink?

Most of us make quite a bit more than anyone who spends their day serving customers; why ponder how much they might make before deciding whether to give a tip? They deal all day long with complete jerks and grouches; smile at them and show them someone appreciates that they are there to help. Generousity of spirit, spread around the circle of life you occupy, will make the world a better place. It's just that simple. So do something nice today, like leaving a tip at Starbucks.

Holly I actually thought the same thing reading this thread.

Quite frankly, it's very expensive to live around here where we are. I don't miss the $.50 or whatever that I might toss into the jar 3x a week (I don't get daily coffees). I also tip at the froyo place, or wherever I go to get takeout or whatever. I figure no big deal...I do make quite a bit more than anyone working these jobs and knowing how expensive it is to live around here, it amazes me people can afford to work at jobs like these and still get by in this area.

I figure 50 cents or whatever is no big deal considering that we drop about 25% on tips when we go out to a meal...which can be anywhere from $10-30 depending on where we are at dinner. So someone serves us for 45 minutes, stops by the table 3x total and gets $15 or $20. Someone taking 5 minutes to make my coffee surely deserves 50 cents, and considering that it's probably not even going solely to THEM, but rather they probably pool everything then share it or something, it's more like 10 cents per person working. And they have to work with the nasty, cranky, ungrateful public...something I definitely don't want to do! hehee.

The one place I kind of don't love tipping a lot is when we are on vacation, do you know how fast you can rack up $$$ by tipping everyone? Valet, bell boy, concierge etc. It can be crazy. But yeah they work for their $$ too, just like everyone. So we do it, but man sometimes it seems like 'wait $5 for carrying 2 bags up one floor???'...hehee. And then there is the whole when you should tip vs shouldn't. Etiquette of tipping is a total mystery to me. I just do when I can I guess.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:24:18 AM
Author: HollyS
I sense a lot of disdain, resentment, and downright anger from many of you over this issue; for heaven''s sake why?

Are you really going to miss that change from your order that you could throw in the tip jar; or would you just have wasted it on something else as silly as a $4 specialty coffee drink?

Most of us make quite a bit more than anyone who spends their day serving customers; why ponder how much they might make before deciding whether to give a tip? They deal all day long with complete jerks and grouches; smile at them and show them someone appreciates that they are there to help. Generousity of spirit, spread around the circle of life you occupy, will make the world a better place. It''s just that simple. So do something nice today, like leaving a tip at Starbucks.

Now, see, that''s why I think the tip jars are really there. If we''re "silly" enough to pay $4 for a cup of coffee, maybe we''re just so well off or so irresponsible with our money we can afford to (and thus are somehow obligated) to give away extra money to the people who work there because they are so unfortunate to have to be serving the likes of us. A little good natured sarcasm there. That''s where the disdain and resentment that you sense are coming from. But actually, since I''m probably in the same tax bracket as a lot of the people in my area who work at Starbucks (most of them are married and not the breadwinner or living with Mom and Dad, etc.) I''m not really disdainful or resentful. OTOH, if I spend $4 for coffee, it''s a real treat and where I wouldn''t miss the 80 cents, I''m not feeling particularly obligated to hand it over, knowing now what I know.

 

[SarFarSuperstar]

Thought I''d chime in here as a former Starbucks employee. Starting pay was $8/hr in Massachusetts which was WELL above the minimum wage back in 2004- ours has gone up to $7 something since, so they probably raised the pay a bit.

Additionally, as a part time employee, we were eligible for health benefits, stock options, and VACATION days (I know- crazy huh? I only worked there for about 4 months and I accrued like .4 days, but they cut me a check for it when I left).

You also get at least one free drink during each shift (although you definitely drink more than that) PLUS if you go in later, and you are friendly with the barista (and the manager isn''t right there) you will always get free drinks (sometimes free drinks for whoever is with you).

Also, you get 30% of all drinks and merchandise while you are employed. And a free pound of coffee PER week- guess what everyone got for Christmas that year???

The whole time I worked there I never got more than $10-20 a week for tips- it was nice to get, but nothing I was relying on.

So the moral of the story according to me is that you certainly don''t have to tip, but if you feel so inclined, they aren''t going to turn your money away. I also agree with the high maintenance tip- we had a woman who would bring her OWN soy milk in and ask for the most ridiculous drink. The stories I could tell- hardcore Starbucks customers are a special breed.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:34:43 AM
Author: Mara

Date: 12/18/2007 11:24:18 AM
Author: HollyS
I sense a lot of disdain, resentment, and downright anger from many of you over this issue; for heaven''s sake why?

Are you really going to miss that change from your order that you could throw in the tip jar; or would you just have wasted it on something else as silly as a $4 specialty coffee drink?

Most of us make quite a bit more than anyone who spends their day serving customers; why ponder how much they might make before deciding whether to give a tip? They deal all day long with complete jerks and grouches; smile at them and show them someone appreciates that they are there to help. Generousity of spirit, spread around the circle of life you occupy, will make the world a better place. It''s just that simple. So do something nice today, like leaving a tip at Starbucks.

Holly I actually thought the same thing reading this thread.

Quite frankly, it''s very expensive to live around here where we are. I don''t miss the $.50 or whatever that I might toss into the jar 3x a week (I don''t get daily coffees). I also tip at the froyo place, or wherever I go to get takeout or whatever. I figure no big deal...I do make quite a bit more than anyone working these jobs and knowing how expensive it is to live around here, it amazes me people can afford to work at jobs like these and still get by in this area.

I figure 50 cents or whatever is no big deal considering that we drop about 25% on tips when we go out to a meal...which can be anywhere from $10-30 depending on where we are at dinner. So someone serves us for 45 minutes, stops by the table 3x total and gets $15 or $20. Someone taking 5 minutes to make my coffee surely deserves 50 cents, and considering that it''s probably not even going solely to THEM, but rather they probably pool everything then share it or something, it''s more like 10 cents per person working. And they have to work with the nasty, cranky, ungrateful public...something I definitely don''t want to do! hehee.

I hear what you''re saying. We have a pretty good cost of living here, and as I said, a lot of the people working at our Starbuck''s are just supplementing their income. I feel a lot more generous to the immigrants working at McDonald''s who are actually working to support their families. The teenagers around our area are possibly A) too proud to work at McD''s, B) too priviledged to be bothered to work there or C) involved in lots of activities and don''t have the time. They can''t get teenagers to work there. But we have a lot of immigrants and I know it''s their main source of income. I would definitely feel better tipping them than the folks (mostly non-minority, non underpriviledged, and definitely not using their income as the sole source of support) at Starbucks. But that''s just HERE in my tiny area. I have no idea what the demographics are of the baristas around the country.

It''s interesting because it kind of parallels the middle class crunch and how people feel about that. IMHO.

 

[mirre]

Maybe I should quit my job and work at Starbucks for my last semester?

Free coffee drinks, free bags of coffee, vacation time, benefits, around what I''m making now per hour? Dang I wish they would have had openings when I needed a job a year ago. I work for a collection agency and Starbucks'' employees get better things than I get... and I''ve been here over a year! LOL

 

[HollyS]

Where I live, the majority of Starbucks employees are HS, college kids, or wives of Army soldiers. Not particularly a well off group of working class; and don''t forget, most of them don''t work 40 or 40+ weeks, don''t get overtime, don''t get holiday pay, and don''t have health/dental insurance. Could they go to work elsewhere? Well sure, but then who would serve us in our local Starbucks, cafe, or restaurant? Another group of "they should know better than to work there" shmucks?

Sorry ladies, but I''m really not understanding the level of "f--- that" that I''m reading between the lines of your posts here. But, I''m going to agree that we disagree about this subject, and move on.

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:40:16 AM
Author: SarFarSuperstar
Thought I''d chime in here as a former Starbucks employee. Starting pay was $8/hr in Massachusetts which was WELL above the minimum wage back in 2004- ours has gone up to $7 something since, so they probably raised the pay a bit.

Additionally, as a part time employee, we were eligible for health benefits, stock options, and VACATION days (I know- crazy huh? I only worked there for about 4 months and I accrued like .4 days, but they cut me a check for it when I left).

You also get at least one free drink during each shift (although you definitely drink more than that) PLUS if you go in later, and you are friendly with the barista (and the manager isn''t right there) you will always get free drinks (sometimes free drinks for whoever is with you).

Also, you get 30% of all drinks and merchandise while you are employed. And a free pound of coffee PER week- guess what everyone got for Christmas that year???

The whole time I worked there I never got more than $10-20 a week for tips- it was nice to get, but nothing I was relying on.

So the moral of the story according to me is that you certainly don''t have to tip, but if you feel so inclined, they aren''t going to turn your money away. I also agree with the high maintenance tip- we had a woman who would bring her OWN soy milk in and ask for the most ridiculous drink. The stories I could tell- hardcore Starbucks customers are a special breed.

Heeeheee! I''ve worked in the service industry, and I think it should go beyond that. I think there should be an automatic upcharge for diva customers. Actually, I think it''s good for the soul to work in the service industries at some point in everyone''s life, even if they don''t need to. It''s such an eye opening experience about human nature and also a good lesson in how NOT to act and how to be gracious. I try to be, even as a customer. On the few occasions where I was having a horrible day and took it out on someone serving me, I always appologised and honestly felt terrible. I think there are some people who think servers are beneath them and are non-persons. They might not feel that way if they''ve ever served.

 

[Aloros]

I used to work at Starbucks, and it was an awesome place to work. They encourage you to talk and joke with your fellow employees because they think it gives off a "friendly" atmosphere, there are the aforementioned benefits, and you get lots of free coffee/tea.

As for tipping, most people just threw in the extra change they had. There were the regulars, who had their regular drinks, and regularly tipped. The biggest tips came from really large orders. I think people felt bad for holding up the line.

I never expected people to tip, so I wouldn''t feel bad if you don''t.

I got a little over $1 extra/hour in tips.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/18/2007 10:50:37 AM
Author: MaryAlaina
I''m supposed to tip because someone makes my drink correctly??? I don''t think so. Isn''t that their job?


You know going in to a job at Starbuck''s that most people order complicated drinks. If you don''t think you can handle it, why are you working there?


Sorry to be harsh, but I have little tolerance for incompetence and don''t feel like ''just doing the job correctly'' has to be rewarded with a tip!

First of all, I didn''t say you SHOULD tip, I said PLEASE tip. As in, it is a courtesy. If you''re ordering something that isn''t on the menu, then yes, in my opinion, it is the courteous thing to do to tip because you are thanking the server for not just saying, "Sorry, not on the menu." Do you HAVE to? Of course not. I''ve had people come in every single day and literally take 5 full minutes to just EXPLAIN how they wanted their drinks and have never tipped me, but I think now and then it would have been nice. And did I say I couldn''t handle it? I had people come in and only order their special drink if I was working because I was the one who did it right. Some of those people tipped, and some didn''t; it had no effect on how well I did my job. It affected my finances, since my tip money was what I used for gas money, but not the quality of my work.

Do you also not tip at restaurants when you go out, because it is ''just doing the job correctly?'' What do you do if you are in a large party and the restaurant automatically includes the tip? Maybe if you ever had to scrape by and pay your bills from a job like that, you''d seriously reconsider your indignant disdain for those of us who have.

For the record, tipping has practically nothing to do with competence in my experience. I''d wager at least 95% of my tips over 4 years were earned because I took the time to know the people I was serving--remembered their favourite drink, asked about their family, followed up on a problem they were having last time they came into the shop. They appreciated me as a PERSON, as well as someone who serves them their drink exactly the way they like it. THAT is what tipping is all about, at least to me.

 

[partgypsy]

I may sound like a grouch but as I have worked in the restaurant industry (starting at age 14 actually) and my husband currently does, so we typically tip well. It''s just a pet peeve these tip jars at ice cream shop, sub shops, etc.

I guess I want to emphasize, there is a difference between jobs where tips are a part of their wage, and jobs which pay low, but tips are optional. For the first a tip is expected. Your pleasure or displeasure is expressed in the amount of tip, not the withholding of tip. If you are that ticked off, speak to the manager.
For the second you are not obligated to, and it is done to show appreciation for a job well done (or for extra service). It''s a bonus.
FYI, I believe Starbucks does tip pooling. I destest tip pooling, because it subverts the whole reason of tipping, showing someone in particular appreciation for their service. If you want to make sure that person receives a tip in a place that pools tips, hand the tip directly to that server, to say, great double mocchachino with soy milk and lowfat whipped cream! then they don''t have to share it.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:57:31 AM
Author: gwendolyn

Date: 12/18/2007 10:50:37 AM
Author: MaryAlaina
I''m supposed to tip because someone makes my drink correctly??? I don''t think so. Isn''t that their job?


You know going in to a job at Starbuck''s that most people order complicated drinks. If you don''t think you can handle it, why are you working there?


Sorry to be harsh, but I have little tolerance for incompetence and don''t feel like ''just doing the job correctly'' has to be rewarded with a tip!

First of all, I didn''t say you SHOULD tip, I said PLEASE tip. As in, it is a courtesy. If you''re ordering something that isn''t on the menu, then yes, in my opinion, it is the courteous thing to do to tip because you are thanking the server for not just saying, ''Sorry, not on the menu.'' Do you HAVE to? Of course not. I''ve had people come in every single day and literally take 5 full minutes to just EXPLAIN how they wanted their drinks and have never tipped me, but I think now and then it would have been nice. And did I say I couldn''t handle it? I had people come in and only order their special drink if I was working because I was the one who did it right. Some of those people tipped, and some didn''t; it had no effect on how well I did my job. It affected my finances, since my tip money was what I used for gas money, but not the quality of my work.

Do you also not tip at restaurants when you go out, because it is ''just doing the job correctly?'' What do you do if you are in a large party and the restaurant automatically includes the tip? Maybe if you ever had to scrape by and pay your bills from a job like that, you''d seriously reconsider your indignant disdain for those of us who have.

For the record, tipping has practically nothing to do with competence in my experience. I''d wager at least 95% of my tips over 4 years were earned because I took the time to know the people I was serving--remembered their favourite drink, asked about their family, followed up on a problem they were having last time they came into the shop. They appreciated me as a PERSON, as well as someone who serves them their drink exactly the way they like it. THAT is what tipping is all about, at least to me.

I really like you.

We have a cashier at work, that I swear could coax the bark off a tree by talking to it. The customers adore her. If she had a tip jar, she''d be making serious cash! She makes their day better simply by paying attention to them, and being sincere in her appreciation for their business. When I encounter service like that, and there is an opportunity to tip, I tip -- because niceness matters -- to all of us.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 12/18/2007 12:22:18 PM
Author: HollyS
I really like you.

Thanks!! I think you''re fab too, Holly.

Author: HollyS
We have a cashier at work, that I swear could coax the bark off a tree by talking to it. The customers adore her. If she had a tip jar, she''d be making serious cash! She makes their day better simply by paying attention to them, and being sincere in her appreciation for their business. When I encounter service like that, and there is an opportunity to tip, I tip -- because niceness matters -- to all of us.

Thank you, I totally agree!

I don''t currently work at my coffeeshop anymore, and I really miss it. The owners and I would get to talking to the customers, and by doing so we built up a community hub for the neighbourhood. Not to sound like an after-school special or whatever

, but it really did end up being a wonderful place to work and hang out. I got to know some of the customers so well that I attended their weddings, or taught them piano lessons, or house-sat for them!

Now, obviously I am NOT saying that this sort of thing happens *because* you give someone a tip now and then. What I am saying is that it''s all about mutual appreciation, and sometimes, with certain people, that can lead to genuine friendships. And I think that is a wonderful thing.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 12/17/2007 11:38:57 PM
Author: lumpkin

I guess I should google before I ask such questions.....

Naaaaaaaaah. Don''t do that, because they we''d miss the lively discussion here!

Besides, I''d rather collect the opinions from people here (whose perspectives I value) than from some random folks on the net who I may or may not have a lot in common with, and your question offers the opportunity to do that!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 12/18/2007 1:26:39 AM
Author: door knob solitaire

There are just some people who really deserve to be rewarded. When the ordinary becomes extraordinary...I tip. Doesn''t matter where I am. But sometimes they might ask if I have tried this or that and suggest what they love most...or make something really special for me...ding clunk clank...the jar gets a jingle.

I don''t care for tip jars everywhere. Like I said...you do something that is ordinary you''ll get tipped, no need to hang a sign and make us all feel obligated.

Amen to that.

I went Christmas tree shopping this year...had intended to go first thing Saturday morning but ended up not going until mid-afternoon that Sunday - only a little more than an hour left of daylight at the time.

This guy helped me look at several trees; held them all up. When none that were prepped were the shape I wanted, we went over to the stockpile, where he picked and unpacked three more. We found one that was perfect EXCEPT that it was shorter than I wanted and I couldn''t get past it. When I said, thanks I really appreciate it but I have to keep looking, he good-naturedly said "no problem. If you don''t find what you''re looking for, we''ll still be here."

45 minutes later, 15 degrees colder, and 4 other tree lots later, I returned to that lot. He smiled and said "glad you came back. The tree you were looking at is likely gone, but more stock has been uncovered, so let''s see if we can find you something now." I laughed and said "I KNOW, I KNOW - I should have bought the other one!" He laughed and said, no, there''s always more than one, and we''ll find one you''ll like.

He was patient as I picked over about 10 trees; even bringing the 2 final ones close together so I could compare them. I joked and said "I KNOW, I KNOW - I should have bought the other one!" He laughed and said, no, there''s always more than one, and we''ll find one you''ll like.

When we did, he asked "how much do you want off the bottom - I know you don''t want it to be too short." He wrapped it for me and secured it to my car.

I felt like he WAY went beyond just taking my money and cutting the tree. The tree was $45. I tipped him $25. You''d have sworn I gave him a million.....his smile was priceless.

Like DKS, I happily reward extraordinary service.

 

[Rhea]

I love my coffee. I mean, love it. I''m getting an espresso machine for Christmas - I couldn''t be more excited!! Best present, ever!

So, yeah, um, DH & I frequent our SB''s. Not as much as some of you, mind. SB''s closes at about 6pm here and I''m not home from work yet then. We don''t tip, ever. No point in it.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 12/18/2007 10:19:29 AM
Author: Haven

I don''t go to Starbuck''s often, but when I do I never leave a tip. I would never consider leaving a tip at a Jimmy John''s or Dunkin Donuts--what makes Starbuck''s any different? I don''t understand.

I would never consider tipping at Dunkin Donuts, either, but that has more to do with the fact that the people on the drive-thru either don''t speak English well OR cannot seem to comprehend "cream and two splendas" if I don''t repeat it 2-3 times on a REGULAR basis...........and then I still don''t get what I ordered half of the time!

 

[Julianna]

I go into Starbucks between 2 and 4 times a week. Most of them know my long, complicated drink and most of them are fixing it for me before I even get to the register. I am dead pleasant to everyone in the service industry (because sometimes it's a rough job), and I'll always dump any change I have from paying for my drink into the tip thingie, but my chai is $4.25 and they aren't working for tips, so I'm not carrying extra cash for 'em. I don't tip the chick making my Panera sandwich, I don't tip the kids making my Five Guys burger. Seems about the same to me. That burger's just as complicated, if you ask me.

That said, I love and adore the Starbucks staff where I go, and I think they like me too, regardless of tips. Being pleasant to eachother is its own reward.

(By the way, that'll be a venti three pump white mocha extra hot no water chai thank you very much).

ETA: I've worked at a sports bar and in fast food, so I know from waitressing and the food industry. Thus, I'm a 25-30% tipper. When the person serving me is working for $2.05 an hour. Not when their benefits rival mine.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 12/18/2007 1:47:50 PM
Author: aljdewey

Amen to that.

I went Christmas tree shopping this year...had intended to go first thing Saturday morning but ended up not going until mid-afternoon that Sunday - only a little more than an hour left of daylight at the time.

This guy helped me look at several trees; held them all up. When none that were prepped were the shape I wanted, we went over to the stockpile, where he picked and unpacked three more. We found one that was perfect EXCEPT that it was shorter than I wanted and I couldn't get past it. When I said, thanks I really appreciate it but I have to keep looking, he good-naturedly said 'no problem. If you don't find what you're looking for, we'll still be here.'

45 minutes later, 15 degrees colder, and 4 other tree lots later, I returned to that lot. He smiled and said 'glad you came back. The tree you were looking at is likely gone, but more stock has been uncovered, so let's see if we can find you something now.' I laughed and said 'I KNOW, I KNOW - I should have bought the other one!' He laughed and said, no, there's always more than one, and we'll find one you'll like.

He was patient as I picked over about 10 trees; even bringing the 2 final ones close together so I could compare them. I joked and said 'I KNOW, I KNOW - I should have bought the other one!' He laughed and said, no, there's always more than one, and we'll find one you'll like.

When we did, he asked 'how much do you want off the bottom - I know you don't want it to be too short.' He wrapped it for me and secured it to my car.

I felt like he WAY went beyond just taking my money and cutting the tree. The tree was $45. I tipped him $25. You'd have sworn I gave him a million.....his smile was priceless.

Like DKS, I happily reward extraordinary service.

Wow, I love that Alj, what a great guy!!! I loved the story! I do like you if people go out of their way I give more than 20% tip.

ETA: My hubby tips at the counter service; me on the other hand it depends.

ETAA: I do agree w/Gypsy their coffee taste burnt

I only order an ice tea or a bar. Also seeing someone elses post I think people at Taco Bell, or other fast food places work just as hard as people at Starbucks; dealing w/large quantities of fast food is no fun!!!

 

[Julianna]

Date: 12/18/2007 12:22:18 PM
Author: HollyS

I really like you.

We have a cashier at work, that I swear could coax the bark off a tree by talking to it. The customers adore her. If she had a tip jar, she''d be making serious cash! She makes their day better simply by paying attention to them, and being sincere in her appreciation for their business. When I encounter service like that, and there is an opportunity to tip, I tip -- because niceness matters -- to all of us.

Can you please explain to me the difference between "niceness" and "cash"? ''Cause you''ve lost me here.

 

[surfgirl]

I rarely tip in "counter order" situations. If I''m sitting down and you''re coming to my table and taking my order and serving me? If you have to bring me extra whatever, I''m tipping you...and I''ll give you 20% to boot. But not at a counter ordering venue. Sorry.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 12/18/2007 1:58:23 PM
Author: Julianna

Date: 12/18/2007 12:22:18 PM
Author: HollyS

I really like you.

We have a cashier at work, that I swear could coax the bark off a tree by talking to it. The customers adore her. If she had a tip jar, she''d be making serious cash! She makes their day better simply by paying attention to them, and being sincere in her appreciation for their business. When I encounter service like that, and there is an opportunity to tip, I tip -- because niceness matters -- to all of us.

Can you please explain to me the difference between ''niceness'' and ''cash''? ''Cause you''ve lost me here.

Uh huh. It seems many of us are at polar opposites on this subject and perhaps we just need to let it go.

I don''t really think I lost you there.

 

[Elmorton]

My maid of honor is a barista at Starbucks. I tip at Starbucks - I know what kind of conditions they''re working under. A good barista is WAY different than the kid at the drivethrough, if you ask me (but then again, I''m the person that always puts my spare change in the little bucket next to the register no matter what it goes toward).

Here''s my thing - if I can afford to pay $4 for my latte (and yes, I am the venti non-fat french vanilla latte girl), then I can afford to tip. If I can''t afford my $4 latte, I go home and make my own latte.

But, while we''re on the topic of tipping/coffee -- this probably came up more often in my student/grad student circle, but I absolutely cannot stand people who sit and study for hours with a bottomless cup of coffee and then tip the waitress .50 and say "well sheesh, that was a 35% tip!" YUCK! Even when I eat on the cheap, I leave a tip that reflects the service.

 

[luvn2oxfrd]

Date: 12/17/2007 11:17:51 PM
Author: lumpkin

Date: 12/17/2007 11:04:58 PM
Author: gwendolyn
I worked at a family-owned coffeeshop/bookstore in Baltimore for 4 years (only quit because I left the country), and there are understood rules on tipping for coffeeshops--well, understood among baristas, anyway.

1. If you order a regular coffee or anything else that someone just pours out of a jug or something, you don''t tip. You can if you love your server, but we don''t (or shouldn''t) expect tips for anything that basic.

2. If you order something slightly more complicated than a regular coffee (where you add a certain number of pumps of syrup, or used steamed milk instead of creamer or whatever, then it''d be nice if you threw a couple cents in the jar but again, it was no big deal and part of good customer service, so that isn''t expected either.

3. If you order a half-fat, half-skim, dab of whipped cream, 2 pumps vanilla, 1/2 pump hazelnut, extra shot half-decaf latte with whipped cream and super hot milk AND we get it right, please tip. Usually those of us behind the counter are running around like crazy trying to get everyone''s drinks done well while also getting them done as quickly as possible, and the more complicated your drink is, the longer it takes to make and get right, so a little appreciation is nice.

4. If you order half a dozen number 3''s, then you really should tip.

Oh, and I never go to Starbucks. Their chai and mochas are terrible!

Okay, I GET that, LOL! It''s the ''you have to pay extra to be a complete pain in the neck'' tip. My hairdresser talks about people who are so unreasonably picky about their hair (she is excellent, BTW) that they consistently come back a week later because a strand of hair underneath didn''t get as much highlight as the strand on the other side or they decided they really wanted a little more layering, or the color wasn''t as ''golden'' as it was the last time, etc. It''s something a little different every time, but it''s always something, and always something no one else can see. She charges them 20% more, unbeknownst to them, and I wouldn''t even know that except that I used to work with her (she doesn''t gossip about her clientelle -- she''s a total sweetie).

lol! i just had to respond to this! you have totally just described my mother...to a T! AND she orders a venti, decaf, skim, 9 pumps, sugar free, vanilla, latte!

 

[Julianna]

Date: 12/18/2007 2:03:44 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 12/18/2007 1:58:23 PM
Author: Julianna

Date: 12/18/2007 12:22:18 PM
Author: HollyS

I really like you.

We have a cashier at work, that I swear could coax the bark off a tree by talking to it. The customers adore her. If she had a tip jar, she''d be making serious cash! She makes their day better simply by paying attention to them, and being sincere in her appreciation for their business. When I encounter service like that, and there is an opportunity to tip, I tip -- because niceness matters -- to all of us.

Can you please explain to me the difference between ''niceness'' and ''cash''? ''Cause you''ve lost me here.

Uh huh. It seems many of us are at polar opposites on this subject and perhaps we just need to let it go.

I don''t really think I lost you there.

You''re right, I think I lost you. My sentence structure leaves much to be desired.

I am pretty darn nice without adding money to the equation. And you''re absolutely right, nice makes a huge difference.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 12/18/2007 2:00:13 AM
Author: Mara
Not sure about what Sbucks pays elsewhere but here they pay something like $9 to start I think. I remember this because a lot of college students were telling my sister when she was in college that it was a great gig to get kind of thing. Also I believe I have heard they have excellent benefits. Supposedly they are a top quality employer, in the top 100 or something like that for all of US? Not sure exactly what the stats are...but also around here when the bubble burst, people used to joke about going to work for Sbucks since they paid so well.

This is true. They have a top reputation as an employer and excellent benifits. I almost always get an iced tea, so I almost NEVER tip. But I do tip if I''m gonna be a pain in the neck, cause I do sometimes order a half a shot of espresso, non-fat, sugar free vanilla latte... and then it''s the change from whatever I''ve bought. But I rarely get coffee there cause I really think they burn their beans.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 12/18/2007 2:02:13 PM
Author: surfgirl
I rarely tip in ''counter order'' situations. If I''m sitting down and you''re coming to my table and taking my order and serving me? If you have to bring me extra whatever, I''m tipping you...and I''ll give you 20% to boot. But not at a counter ordering venue. Sorry.

ditto for me. If i''m paying cash and have some change, I''ll put it in from time to time,but i''m usually using a giftcard or my debit card. We always tip at least 20% when we''re out to eat, good service gets even more!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 12/18/2007 10:50:37 AM
Author: MaryAlaina

I''m supposed to tip because someone makes my drink correctly??? I don''t think so. Isn''t that their job?

You know going in to a job at Starbuck''s that most people order complicated drinks. If you don''t think you can handle it, why are you working there?

Sorry to be harsh, but I have little tolerance for incompetence and don''t feel like ''just doing the job correctly'' has to be rewarded with a tip!

Yanno, MaryAlaina raises are larger issue (for me anyway) about people "doing their job." (I''m about to veer wildly off topic here so anyone who only cares about the Starbucks discussion stop reading now.)

Today my IT guy did something for me that was technically *his job* (I won''t go into the gorey techno details). But he dropped the other thing he was working on the instant I showed up--unannounced and unexpected--at his desk, spent some ridiculous amount of time on the phone with Sprint (yes, my issue is Blackberry realted), and good naturedly provided the fastest and bestest fix to my problem. With a smile.

That''s his job. (Well, OK, the smile may be optional.) But I was so greateful that I went (LOL!) to Starbucks and got him a gift card to thank him for what he did. Is that "tipping" the IT guy? He does get a salary. And benefits. And I did contribute to the staff holiday bonus pool. Yet I got him a little something extra for doing what he did, even though it''s his job, and I believe he''ll be appreciative of it when I give the card to him tomorrow. (Should I have tipped the lady at Starbucks when I go the gift card?

)

So what does this come down to? A matter of degree? Effort? You pour me a cup of coffee, I give you a buck; you make my Crackberry talk to my e-mail agian (for the second time in three months) and I get you a $25 gift card. Maybe I need to become better Starbucks tipper...

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 12/18/2007 11:24:18 AM
Author: HollyS
I sense a lot of disdain, resentment, and downright anger from many of you over this issue; for heaven''s sake why?

Are you really going to miss that change from your order that you could throw in the tip jar; or would you just have wasted it on something else as silly as a $4 specialty coffee drink?

Most of us make quite a bit more than anyone who spends their day serving customers; why ponder how much they might make before deciding whether to give a tip?

What I think you''re sensing, Holly, isn''t anger or resentment; I think it''s more a sense of being offended. Why?
Because it seems as though a gratuity has turned into something expected and bordering on obligatory (which is just COMPLETELY rude)....and this is in a climate where the service has degraded to a point at which you''re lucky to even get the bare minimum.

Definition of gratuity: a gift of money, over and above payment for service; something given without claim or demand.

Further, just because I CAN afford it or won''t miss it shouldn''t OBLIGATE me any more less to offer it to random people. Somehow now it''s OK to expect me to give away money at someone else''s whim just because that person thinks "oh, she can afford it"? I don''t think so. *I* earn my money, and I work hard for it. It''s my decision how I utilize that money and when/who I gift it to.

Yes, we make more than most people spending their day serving customers. Some of those people are in such jobs because they haven''t had the opportunities in life that we have, and I''m absolutely empathetic to that. You can usually spot those folks; they are the ones who DO get the order right the first time, care about giving you the right change, etc. They are conscientious about doing a good job.

OTHERS in such jobs are there because they didn''t feel like trying in school/working hard, etc. and didn''t want to expend the effort to learn a better-paying skill. If you are in that second group, your choices contributed to why you''re working where you are and making what you make, and I shouldn''t be *expected* to subsidize your choices. No one subsidized mine, either.

 

[mrssalvo]

deejay, i think your story and alj's are similar. to me, tipping should be a reward, decided by the one that WANTS to give it, not and obligation. I think many times the tip jars at counter places can make folks feel obligated to put money in and a lot of people just don't like feeling pressured to do something that should be voluntary.


ETA: just read alj's post above mine...ditto to what she said