Do you tip at Starbucks?

[Haven]

Date: 12/19/2007 12:47:55 PM
Author: luckystar112
Darn it Haven, I have to dress up like a burrito on halloween in order to get mine for free!!! lol
I always get a chicken burrito. DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE 1700 CALORIES?!?!

Lucky--I dress up like a burrito on halloween, too! That''s my favorite day of the year! And don''t remind me about the calories! I switched from a chicken burrito to a bowl with rice, double chicken, and mild, medium, and hot salsa about a year ago which isn''t too bad calorie-wise, AND it lasts for at least three meals.

Gwendolyn--I know that''s your face! That is just a wonderful picture, I would frame it if I were you! (I''d also kill for those cheekbones!) I hope you get over your jetlag sooner rather than later.

Mara--I''m impressed you worked for that boss for even six months, she sounds nutty. Way to stick it out!

Back to a semi-on-topic remark--I used to be totally overstimulated every time I walked into a Starbuck''s. I didn''t quit drinking coffee until about three years ago, and when I would order my small coffee after the person in front of me rattled off a very technical-sounding fifteen word order I felt so, well, out of the loop.

One day a barista (is male baristo?) gave me this little handout which is actually a how-to guide to ordering drinks at Starbuck''s. I was amused yet shocked at the same time. He gave it to me because I apparently added that I wanted skim milk at the wrong point in the order, and I said "medium" instead of "grande" or whatever a medium drink is there. It was amusing yet really fascinating at the same time--the fact that Starbuck''s has created an idiolect for use within their own store culture only seems like it could be the basis for some linguistics PhD thesis research, no? Where''s Elmorton when you need her--El? Whaddya think?

 

[mirre]

They seriously have their own way of talking?

Wow I wish this thread would have been started about 3 weeks ago. I could have done my final Consumer Behavior class project on Starbucks instead of Fraternaties

We needed to study a culture in depth and talk about their "language" and clothing and things like that. We actually discussed the role Starbucks has played on consumers'' view of coffee. One of our theories is that Starbucks is a status symbol... because you can get coffee anywhere, even home, but we''re willing to pay almost $5 for a cup of coffee? Anywho... off my rant... got a little off subject sorry all!

 

[rockzilla]

I think the tip-or-not-tip is often very affected by whether or not you''ve worked in a service based industry in the past.

When I was in high school, I worked as a "sales clerk" at a local, family owned bakery back home in Massachusetts. Now, this may not seem like a high pressure job, but this was still an area where EVERYONE went to the bakery on Sundays to get their bread, the line would be out the door, and we were open and working every holiday (Yes, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day)

When I first worked there, the management would not allow us to have a tip jar out, but every once in a while someone would hand us a dollar or something as a tip. Was this expected? No.

But these folks saw how hard we worked -coming in early, at 6 or 7 am, being on our feet all day, running around like crazy, slicing loaves of bread and then balancing them to put the bag on, grabbing hot rolls out of the oven "I want mine HOT!" to the point where our fingers were slightly burned, no AC in the summer with the ovens going, and in the winter no heat besides the ovens.

A few years in, the management changed and we were allowed to put out tip cups. When it was busy, this would mean an extra $1-3/hour on top of the $5.50 we were being paid. Would I have been screwed without these tips? No, but it made it a lot easier for me to pay for the class trips at the private school I was attending on scholarship.

Now, when I go to the local bagel shop, I will put a dollar or two in the tip cup. I understand that it''s not necessary (and sometimes I don''t have the cash on me) but my experience working 16 hours every weekend in that kind of high pressure situation really gives me empathy for those folks.

It reminds me a little bit of something the pastor of my church group talks about a lot...that we should "bless" other people at least a few times a week. This isn''t really a religious thing, but just a suggestion to step outside of our super busy lifestyle and do something nice for someone else and spread goodwill. It might just be telling a coworker that they look great today (in a non-sexually harassing way). He told us about a guy who, everyday, would pay for the person''s order next to him in line in Starbucks, just because. Now, if someone just gave you $4, you might be offended, but it really was just a random gesture of goodwill that folks appreciated.

For me, tipping in "non-required" situations falls into this category. You are not doing anything wrong by not doing it - you just may be choosing to spread your own goodwill in a different way...hopefully

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 12/19/2007 2:31:09 PM
Author: mirre
... because you can get coffee anywhere, even home, but we're willing to pay almost $5 for a cup of coffee?

It's interesting to me that people have made the comment in this thread about "$4 (or $5) dollar coffee." You're not getting *coffee* just like you can brew in your own kitchen in a Mr. Coffee for four bucks; you're getting some specialty drink with a bunch of ingredients that you probably don't have sitting at home in your kitchen cubbard. Maybe I'm speaking only for myself here but I don't have a pumper of sugar free vanilla at home, or a can of whipped cream ready to be used whenever I get the urge for a little pick-me-up. Coffee costs $1.76, including tax, where I live. It's not much more than Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds. So let's be clear, you're not paying four or five bucks for JUST a cup of coffee.

(I have no idea why that has struck such a chord with me but I felt compelled to write it all out... )

 

[mirre]

Dee*Jay I completely agree with you... It was for class dicussion purposes. However I have been to coffee shops (locally owned) that do coffee drinks, much better than Starbucks IMO, and for around $2 less. We pretty much came to the conclusion that it is Starbucks'' marketing... they are selling you the "Starbucks Experience" not just a grande, skim, hazlenut vanilla chai latte or whatever your drink of choice is.

I''m a Mocha Latte or Caramel Macchiato kind of person myself, not too picky I typically order straight off the menu or just add a flavor shot to a plain jane latte.

 

[Mara]

Date: 12/19/2007 2:31:09 PM
Author: mirre
They seriously have their own way of talking?

Wow I wish this thread would have been started about 3 weeks ago. I could have done my final Consumer Behavior class project on Starbucks instead of Fraternaties

We needed to study a culture in depth and talk about their ''language'' and clothing and things like that. We actually discussed the role Starbucks has played on consumers'' view of coffee. One of our theories is that Starbucks is a status symbol... because you can get coffee anywhere, even home, but we''re willing to pay almost $5 for a cup of coffee? Anywho... off my rant... got a little off subject sorry all!

This is funny to me because where we are here in California, Sbucks is like the lowest on the coffee totem pole. Peet''s is better quality and frequented by more coffee snob types. Sbucks is so ''basic''. But even above and beyond that, independent coffee shops are where the real coffee and latte etc snobs like to drink from because it''s NOT Starbucks. They are too corporate for a lot of people.

To me it''s kind of like people want to shop at Tiffany because of the brand but their stuff is just okay to me. I''d rather go independent (aka WF, Wink, James Allen etc) and get a better product for my $$ and not have anyone realize what brand it is.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Mirre, I realized that it might seem like I was picking on your post, but I just used it so to illustrate the "$4 coffee" point since it was right there. Hope you weren''t offended by that (totally not my intention). And I am actually just a plain ol'' decaf sort of girl. Every once in a blue moon I''ll have a mocha or a pumpkin spice latte, but they are few and far between. (Not that I don''t *like* them mind you--I just can''t afford the calories on my ever widening behind!

)

 

[sumbride]

DeeJay... I actually DO have a bottle of sugar free vanilla syrup at home... just don''t have the pump for it. It was about $3 at the grocery store. I use it to liven up my Keurig-brewed coffee occasionally. No whipped cream though...

 

[mirre]

It is quite ok DeeJay. Oooo I LOVE the Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I have to get one each fall! I get it with their pumpkin cream cheese muffin! OH MY!

I had bought some syrup for home one time but no pump. It''s just not the same as a coffee shop though. I also have bought this cute little glass beaker thing that has a screen on a metal rod thing that you use with milk and you can make the foam for the tops of drinks! Still not the same as a coffee shop... Now I want Starbucks (or another coffee shop drink!)

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 12/19/2007 9:59:14 AM
Author: HollyS
I believe Moon Water has more than made my point for me. Thank you, MW.

Ha, no problem.

I am just now reading this thread (yes, I responded first, bad bad me) and wow!

Let me say some things. I have worked as a waitress and busser (bus boy, but I was a girl and did the job ten times better/faster i might add), I was also a hostess in a restaurant. So I know all about how we get paid below minimum wage and we need tips. That still does not change my opinion about tipping Starbucks (or any coffeeshop) employees. I also want to restate that that $8-$9 minimum is not standard. I had years of experience and they were only willing to pay me $9.10 an hour and I was a shift supervisor (but i got a 20 cent raise six months later!!), so I can only imagine what the highschool kids were making.

Why do people work there knowing they are getting paid crap? Easy, they despereately want the health insurance. That was the ONLY reason I worked there. I was putting myself through school and needed flexible hours but I could not afford to go without health care. It's unfortunate that SB will sometimes find a way to prevent people from getting the one thing they need from that job.

In regard to the comments about the attitude and expectation of tips, this is not the case at Starbucks. People are human, so I'm sure there has been error in a Starbucks some place, but Starbucks policy prevents us from even acknowleding the tip cup is there. We are not to look at it, talk about it, watch the customer put anything in, or even necessarily say thank you if we happen to notice. We are to treat every customer as if they are a new friend or old friend (in the case of regulars) and we're super nice and super smiley (honestly, it got sickening and degrading when you account for the customers that were rude and abusive...yes ABUSIVE). Starbucks has some serious issues, and I honestly don't care for the company, but I will hand it to them on their outline of customer service, it is amazing. I don't frequent Starbucks as I think their drip is crap, and no one can make an espresso drink for me better than I can. But I will occassionally get a short double shot nonfat white mocha with whip from them because I know the drink will be perfect and the service will be stellar. It's worth the preminum sometimes not to deal with the hassle and attitudes of some people. Customer service is a freaking art.

The language at Starbucks, while annoying, is necessary. It is OUR JOB to know it and to teach it to customers. So don't act annoyed at the individual, be annoyed with the company and stop shopping there. If you call out a drink incorrectly, you manager will surely take note and remind or reprimand you later. It took me forever to memorize that crap. Not to mention, Venti is Italian for 20 (i.e. 20 ounce) but there is no 20 ounce coffee in ITALY! UGH. I can also go on about the fact that their machines only require them to press a button to get an espresso shot, where as a true espresso machine requires you to PACK THE ESPRESSO YOURSELF. So really, it is an art form and getting it right every time is not easy for your local indy barista...definitely tip them if your drink/service is good.

Again, TIPS ARE NOT EXPECTED, THEY ARE APPRECIATED. If you honestly have a problem with seeing a tip jar, you need to get a grip. No one is judging you. No one really cares! But it is nice when those customers that want to tip do, and we truly appreciate it. But it's not worth freaking out about it. I truly can not understand why people get so bent out of shape at the implied expectation. It's just a silly jar!

Oh and Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks...

Sorry...did know I would write so much again...geez...

 

[rainbowtrout]

Date: 12/19/2007 2:49:47 PM
Author: Dee*Jay

Date: 12/19/2007 2:31:09 PM

Author: mirre

... because you can get coffee anywhere, even home, but we're willing to pay almost $5 for a cup of coffee?

It's interesting to me that people have made the comment in this thread about '$4 (or $5) dollar coffee.' You're not getting *coffee* just like you can brew in your own kitchen in a Mr. Coffee for four bucks; you're getting some specialty drink with a bunch of ingredients that you probably don't have sitting at home in your kitchen cubbard. Maybe I'm speaking only for myself here but I don't have a pumper of sugar free vanilla at home, or a can of whipped cream ready to be used whenever I get the urge for a little pick-me-up. Coffee costs $1.76, including tax, where I live. It's not much more than Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds. So let's be clear, you're not paying four or five bucks for JUST a cup of coffee.


(I have no idea why that has struck such a chord with me but I felt compelled to write it all out... )

You're also paying four or five dollars for up to four or five hundred calories, which is as much as some of those restaurant meals that we DO tip for!

I have to say, I am in NYC and I too have noticed the tip jars. It does make me feel a little bit pressured when it is *everywhere,* not just food places but say,the counter at the vets this morning, and I usually only tip waitresses, which I do well (stepmother was one for a long time). Being as my graduate stipend hovers somewhere around minimum wage itself, no, I don't tip my coffee people. I second Mara on the starbuck--yeuch, though. There's a NYC chain, Oren's--Skippy do you go there? Good coffee, I mostly buy it ground.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 12/19/2007 3:40:48 PM
Author: rainbowtrout

Date: 12/19/2007 2:49:47 PM
Author: Dee*Jay

Date: 12/19/2007 2:31:09 PM

Author: mirre

... because you can get coffee anywhere, even home, but we're willing to pay almost $5 for a cup of coffee?

It's interesting to me that people have made the comment in this thread about '$4 (or $5) dollar coffee.' You're not getting *coffee* just like you can brew in your own kitchen in a Mr. Coffee for four bucks; you're getting some specialty drink with a bunch of ingredients that you probably don't have sitting at home in your kitchen cubbard. Maybe I'm speaking only for myself here but I don't have a pumper of sugar free vanilla at home, or a can of whipped cream ready to be used whenever I get the urge for a little pick-me-up. Coffee costs $1.76, including tax, where I live. It's not much more than Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds. So let's be clear, you're not paying four or five bucks for JUST a cup of coffee.


(I have no idea why that has struck such a chord with me but I felt compelled to write it all out... )

You're also paying four or five dollars for up to four or five hundred calories, which is as much as some of those restaurant meals that we DO tip for!

I have to say, I am in NYC and I too have noticed the tip jars. It does make me feel a little bit pressured when it is *everywhere,* not just food places but say,the counter at the vets this morning, and I usually only tip waitresses, which I do well (stepmother was one for a long time). Being as my graduate stipend hovers somewhere around minimum wage itself, no, I don't tip my coffee people. I second Mara on the starbuck--yeuch, though. There's a NYC chain, Oren's--Skippy do you go there? Good coffee, I mostly buy it ground.

Haha, oh yes, this is what I forgot to address. To all of those ladies that complain about not being able to loose weight but go to Starbucks and get the same frap or venti flavored latte everyday, here is what you are doing to yourself:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp

 

[HollyS]

The only thing worth having at Starbucks . . . home of the overroasted bean . . . is black tea, hot or iced, unsweetened. And they have zero calories.