What's with all the tip jars?

[cowtown]

Now, before I am accused of just being a heartless, tight-fisted SOB, let me state that I worked in high-school and in college at my share of low wage, service-type jobs. I know that a bunch of us on this board have worked for minimum wage before and I'm just wondering what you think of this:

What's with all the tip jars at every coffee shop, bakery, and pizza place?

When I go to the Home Depot, and the guy spends 15 minutes with me, explaining in detail what I need to do to fix my leaky sink, I say "thanks" and we both walk away happy. He has given me some valuable knowledge, and it's understood that he's being paid to do that.

When I run in to the coffee shop and get a $1.65 cup of filter coffee, which takes about 10 seconds to pour, there seems to be an increasing expectation that I'll toss a quarter or something into their tip jar.

Who provided me the valuable service, the Home Depot guy, or the coffee shop guy?

Maybe I'm making too big a deal of this, but these jars are sprouting up everywhere around here. I usually don't put money in tip jars...maybe I AM a tight-fisted SOB.

[RickM]

This erks me as well. I noticed it at a Pizza place on Saturday. The guy shovels the pie onto a plate and there's a tip jar. I sit down and a young lady brings napkins to my table.....Do I tip her too? Jeez.

Maybe I'll bring a tip jar to the CEO of my company when I present our strategic plan.

BTW, most Home Depots prohibit employees from accepting tips. I tipped one HD guy the other day though when he lugged a relatively Christmas tree over to my truck.

[JavaBrewer]

The deli in our office buiding started a tip jar about 6 months ago. I don't partake, as I don't at our local fast food Mexican eatery drive up window I will tip the Barista's at Starbucks (or any coffee shop - Panikin) if I order a latte but never for a simple cup of drip.

I was a bartender for too many years and I am a consistent 20% type of guy. But enough is enough. Waiting to see a tip jar at Ralphs checkout.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Blue's Simple Guide To Tipping Rates Whilst Dining Out:

15%+ decent service taking your order, delivering it, and bussing your table, all while you relax in your chair.

10%-15% not-that-great service taking your order, delivering it, and bussing your table, all while you relax in your chair.

5%-10% rude, inept, or careless service taking your order, delivering it, and bussing your table, all while you scowl in your chair.

0%-5% decent service bussing table / refilling glasses after you've gotten your own food (like at Sweet Tomato).

0% Everything else

-----------------------------

Note I don't go to bars so use your discretion when tipping the bartender.

[RickM]

I start at 20% and see if I'm convinced to go lower or higher.

I can't handle when one gets rude or poor service in any business and a tip is expected.

[widebody911]

Some people are always looking for a handout...

[speeder]

Roll diner scene from "Reservoir Dogs".........

[Schrup]

What kind of service do I get Thom?

[DonDavis]

Originally posted by speeder
Roll diner scene from "Reservoir Dogs".........

When my house got broken into in Sept, the turds got all of our DVDs including one of my favorites movies,
sniff Reservoir Dogs.

As far as the tipping thing goes, isn't that a town in China?

But seriously, I use about the same approach as Blue.

[project935]

I only supply tip jars when their really busy and providing good service or if she's cute

[juanbenae]

i used to work in tahoe at a ski resort during the winter and tips helped me feed myself. i worked at a bakery that the owner stated no tip jars, we did it anyway and when she brought it up again we were going to strike.

a tip was hip back then, i earned every penny by entertaining as well as providing a service. now i tip if shes cute.

[BGCarrera32]

Classic...LOL...

http://www.mindlesscrap.com/data/coffee.mp3

[island911]

LOL, BG. . thanks.

[LeeH]

We went to a breakfast buffet at Marie Calendars' a few months ago. My wife went up to the omlette station. She came running back and started digging in her purse. "There's a tip jar up there and I don't have any money." We spent the rest of breakfast "discussing" the need to tip the omlette chef. I finally shut up to keep the peace.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Geez, even I can make omelettes.

Maybe I should start demanding tips from my coworkers when they come to my cube and ask me questions.

[tabs]

Hmmm Should I tip myself then when I use my Espresso machine in the mornining?

I have been through various fazes of my life, now it's about 12%. If she is especially friendly and GREAT LOOKING..then anything she wants she gets...Jewelery,Furs, Cars, Boats, Hoooouseees.....the check boooookkkk....ahhhh there I draw the line...NO ONE GETS THE CHECK BOOK.

Ohhhh...we were talking about Waiters and Waitresses not Wives.....

[Overpaid Slacker]

"Learn to farking type".

I start at 20% as well (for foodservice), but it's much easier to convince me to drop that figure than it is to raise it. And if it's really screwed up, I've got no qualms w/ no tip. I get no psychological warm n' fuzzy from leaving a tip.

Bartenders -- always 20%, even if they suck. As a former drinkslinger, it made a difference to me when I was well tipped, and good tippers got much better/faster attention -- w/ more buybacks. It's also the closest relationship to the person that actually made what you ordered, in addition to taking your order and cleaning up after you.

As for coffee drones or dry cleaners (I couldn't believe it when I saw that one), no. I confess I throw a buck into the bathroom attendant's basket at the clubs. (He's usually got good drugs).

JP

[dd74]

I just returned from the land of "the tip": New York. In a week, I went through $300 in tips alone. You know the story: a cab here, a doorman there, the porter, the baker and candlestick maker.. I'm telling you, it starts to add up.

I never tip at Starbucks. I mean, enough is enough. The damn espresso machines are automatic now. All a barrista (by the way, how can a guy working at Starbucks allow himself to be called "barrista?" -- I guess it depends on the guy, eh?) has to do is steam and stir milk.

In Hawaii, porters drive Lexus Sedans paid for by tips.

If I got a buck for every post I've made on this board, I wouldn't be hounding you guys about 20/21 cams. They'd already be inside the engine.

[RickM]

Good point on the bartenders. Mine always gets >20%....payback are comp drinks which far surpass the tip cost.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by RickM
Good point on the bartenders. Mine always gets >20%....payback are comp drinks which far surpass the tip cost.

Depends on the house of course. A good tip should ensure prompt and preferential treatment - like no waiting when the line is 3 deep from the bar. Being generous to the bartender will indeed pay dividends over the long haul.