Tip jars
By jchampany
@jchampany (1130)
United States
March 7, 2007 5:53pm CST
I have noticed that just about any kind of store you go to has a tip jar on the counter. I don't understand. These people are not supplying me any special service. They are employed at a store. Wairesses and people who wash your car and things like deserve tips because they are doing things that we don't want to. That is why we are there. When I go to Starbuck's I am getting coffee nothing major, no real hard work or service involved. Did they always have the tip jar there? If I tip the person who takes my order, do I then also have to tip the person who makes the coffee, and then do I tip the person that puts it on the counter and yells out my name or type of coffee? Where does it end?
Tell me if this bothers you.
3 people like this
9 responses
@skyblade (482)
• United States
7 Mar 07
I can see where you're coming from because I believe most people probably don't deserve the tip. However, some of those employees do provide a service. Whether its recommending something, going the extra mile by making sure your order is exactly the way you want it, or getting you the extra straw or sugar packet that you may need.
@crazylady (470)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I still consider that part of their job. Next thing you know we will have to tip the greeters at Walmart.....and the gas man for reading our meter, and the mailman....
When an employee goes the extra mile...that brings you back as a customer, and warrants a plaque with their name on it and a bonus. Why should quality customer service have to cost us MORE--- why can't it just be a given?
3 people like this
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Well, I understand what you are saying. And some people do go that extra mile. When they do, I let them know it was appreciated. I don't mind tipping someone who actually deserves it.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I get annoyed with this, also. I've noticed it at Starbucks and always just ignore it. I have also noticed one at a sandwich deli that we have downtown where you walk up to the counter, order a sandwich, and they make it to go. Why should I tip someone when I am the one walking up to the counter, placing my order, and standing there while I wait for it? I do tip well when I am in a restaurant and am waited on, and also at the car wash and hair salon. You're right, people are getting out of control. I just ignore them.
3 people like this
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I like that you say they are "getting out of control". That is a good way to put it.
1 person likes this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I think it depends on what type of business the tip jar is in. Restaurants and stuff I understand, bartenders definately. Starbucks? Forget it!!Sure they provide a service, but I know someone who works at Starbucks and they are paid a very decent wage to begin with...they aren't depending on tips to earn a living, and they don't pay taxes on them like waitresses and bartenders do. My friend makes just as much an hour as I do, and his tips every week equal out to my what my commission checks(which are taxed)are, and I tell you it's not easy to sell an insurance policy. Wonder what would happen if I put a tip jar on my desk? LOL Good discussion jchampany...
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Good point, lol. Maybe I should put one out too.
1 person likes this
@Joslyn77 (374)
• United States
17 Mar 07
I've always thought the "tip jar" was a stupid thing to see at a coffee shop or anywhere else for that matter. I refuse to put any money in one because your right. That is their job and it's not like they don't get paid!
@crazylady (470)
• United States
7 Mar 07
LOL- Its funny you should ask...but yes that bothers me too! Like you said...they aren't bringing my my food and keeping my cup full... like in a restaurant. I did work for a couple months one summer at a local coffee shop, and I think it was the employer's way of being cheap- pay us diddly and stick out a tip container- which was split between all the people working at that time. If someone went off the clock, it would be split...somehow since I was the new girl, I always got the least even tho I did the most work...go figure!!! When I got a real job...they begged me to come back- I laughed in their face.
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Isn't that always the way it is. They let you do all the work and cheap you out. Then when you are gone and they actually have to work again they want you back.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45476)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Mar 07
I have selective sight... I choose not to see tip jars :o)
Like you, I figure the staff is being paid a fair wage -- there *are* laws to that effect -- and at many times in my life, I wasn't being paid at all! (Of course, then I wouldn't be buying Starbucks...)
As an aside, some small shops have a penny jar on the counter. When they start showing up on the counters of major stores, let's go postal! :o)
2 people like this
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I also have selective sight. Only sometimes I get a little peaved at the sense of entitlement that people have these days. You know, I worked some of those type of jobs when I was younger and didn't get tips. I have worked at a job where it was not customary to tip but I frequently got tipped (no I didn't have a jar out, lol) but that was because I worked extra hard for people. It was generally customers who came every weekend. I would make sure their favorite tables were open, knew what they liked and all that stuff.
2 people like this
@jfeets726 (775)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I am not really sure if it bothers me or not. I am kind of on the fence about the issue. In all honesty, really the only place that I have ever seen a tip jar is at one of our local pizza shops and I do occassionally put some change or a couple of dollars in there.
I am not really sure about the coffee shop, as I don't go to them, but I think other retailers and stuff shouldn't necessiarly have tip jars out. Of course, it is their decesion to do so, but I am definetly not going to tip anyone who I think doesn't deserve it.
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
30 Mar 07
If you don't want to tip, then don't. It's not a courtesy like when you go to a restaraunt, where you should tip and where it is expected of you to tip.
Some people like to tip the person behind the counter and that's what that jar is there for so people that want to, can.
1 person likes this
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
1 Apr 07
I have to say, I think tip jars are pretty tacky. They have them at the local donut shop and I think it's odd-- why would I tip for someone to put 2 donuts in a bag for me?
1 person likes this
