Recently the baristas at Starbucks won a small fortune in the way of lost tip wages. See, the supervisors on shift were getting a share of the money from the tip jars at the checkout counter, a clear violation of the laws pertaining to tipped employees. This said, I must explore the rational the it is OK for a person pouring me a coffee to expect and even sometimes come out and ask for a tip! I’m sure that steaming pints of milk becomes monotonous and may even entail a mild burn now and then, but to expect a tip at an over the counter service establishment is just ludicrous. If a server placed a can on your table at a restaurant that read “tipping is appreciated” or “tipping is sexy”, you may be downright offended, even though your are receiving ‘full service’. Now, I don’t want to split hairs on the line between tipped service and non-tipped service, but what’s next? An extra dollar for the Goth punk at Mickey D’s that remembered that I didn’t want ketchup on my double cheeseburger? A handful of change for the MTO Sheetz sandwich monger at two in the morning? Or maybe even a five spot for the butcher spiral slicing my Christmas ham. Are these situations where a tip may be appreciated? Absolutely!! If you feel so inclined to dole out an appreciative gesture in the way of currency then by all means do it. The difference is the blatant pan handling we see almost exclusively at coffee shops! I expect to soon see a small sign taped to a tip jar that reads “will froth milk for food”. Come on baristas!!! Get a grip. It is not appreciated nor is it “sexy” to beg for a tip. Now, when I go in to my fav local coffee shop and the very artsy coffee gal recognizes me coming in the door and already has my latte started and even knows my name… I am impressed. I may even entertain the idea of leaving my change behind as a gesture of my appreciation, AT MY DISCRETION! Not because I have been guilted in to the idea by a suggestive almost pushy tip can blocking my view of my steamy beverage. Take note baristas; win flies with sugary hot drinks, not with the sticky fly paper of gratuity extortion!
Eat This NY
The Duchess of Amboy
What a bunch of crock! I can understand tipping if a waiter or waitress gave me excelllant service or if my barber cut my hair exceptionally well.But over a cup of coffee? What’s next?……FV you ‘ve given me an idea.See I’m the one who makes the departmental coffee every day.(The lazy co-workers supply the stuff after you get on their ass). Anyway,I ‘m going to put a tip cup in full view of the coffee pots. Hey if they do it in some coffee shops why not in my office!Look out co-workers your morning brew just got a little costlier.
Update.My idea of the empty coffee cup by the coffee pots for tips didn’t work out as planned. Someone took the cup and returned later after using it for a cup of Joe!So much for appreciation and service.
Sorry, Bob. I guess there’s no future as a barista for you.