Tipping debate (Part 2): How much should you tip for a cup of coffee?

I'm not sure how much more can be said about tipping -- this topic has prompted hundreds of reader comments in the past two years -- but people continue to weigh in on tipping versus not tipping. I know people get worked up about this matter, but keep your comments civil or they'll be deleted.
> Read the first batch of comments about tipping

Comments

[Jon]

However much you want. I, and every coffee type I've ever worked with, has seen tips as optional, but appreciated. That said, small is fine. I won't think you're a cheapskate if you drop in two pennies. Pennies and nickels add up. When I buy coffee, I usually just drop the extra change in the tip jar.

I just read through the previous comments, and I am so tired of people complaining about how expensive our drinks are. Im not sure if you guys realize this, but we (baristas) do not make the prices. The coffee you are getting is high quality, but then again you would realize that should you actual research starbucks instead of just complaining. If you don't like the prices go to tim hortons. Tips are appreciated but I don't change my service based on whether a customer tips or not. However, I make it a point to tip really good wherever I go because I know that those workers are working their butts off.

[Consumatron]

I don't usually buy anything but hot tea or drip coffee. I usually drop in the spare change from my purchase (I always get a small, so it's not jut a couple of pennies). The folks at the Caribou where I usually go allow me to get free refills on my cigarette breaks from work, so if I am not buying anything else, I will routinely drop in a dollar tip for a refill. (signifigantly less than a new cup of coffee would be anyway)

[Sheik]

A second debate on tipping?

Is it even possible for a website to "jump the shark?"

[HopkinsBella]

Yes.

[Lauren]

Yeah I think I'm just about over all of this tipping stuff.

If you tip me, great, if you don't tip me, fine, I won't change your service, I won't be nicer (or more rude) to you. A worker of the service industry I will continue to tip heavily everytime I go somewhere but that's me. Do what you will and get over it.

[Christy]

I tip in the form of repeat business and positve word of mouth advertising.

[Tony]

Wait, so the people who work there have the right to complain about people who don't tip (you have a choice where to work), but the customers are just supposed to "go somewhere else?" Hah!

Yeah, the drinks at Starbuck's are astronomically priced. I realize there is overhead, but you are getting a cup of milk for 4 dollars.

Further, the concept of tipping based on a percentage of the price is one of those quizzical things that makes no sense. If I go to establishment 1 and the server brings the food, with a smile, and does a great job... when I order a meal that costs 16 dollars, and I go to another establishment, same service, on an 8 dollar meal, why in the world should the worker at establishment 1 get double the tip!?!?!!? Nonsense!

[JustABarista]

On the prices, there is the process of "adding value" to the raw materials you are complaining about paying for. Milk may be three dollars a gallon at the store, but the barista has to pull the shot of esspresso, steam the milk, add syrup, mix, time it properly, clean the tables, fill the condiment bars, windex all the glass in the store, clean the bathrooms about 15 times a day (because some customers are pigs and can't figure out how to put a paper towel in to the trash or not splash water on the mirror or hit the toilet when they pee, etc), do dishes, take out trash, clean up after people who apprently don't know how to get more scone in their mouth than they do on the floor, sweep, clean the patio(I don't know why people can't put a ciggarette out in an ashtray that is right on the table but have to drop hundreds of butts on to the sidewalk in front of the store), clean drains,clean sinks, clean out refriderators, grind coffee, make preps, mop floors (don't get me started on "adults" that spill or knock over drinks), clean the glass on the pastry case because nobody was apprently taught not to leave finger prints on glass like I was when I was a kid, offer legendary service, remake drinks because it didn't live up to somebodies demand that their outrageously modified drink be perfect, fill up cold beverages, fill the pastry case, stock retail, stock beans, etc (the list really goes on). All of that is in the price of your drink.

Now on tipping, who gives a shit. Tip or don't. It's always nice, but I never expect it.

[416barista]

Why do people complain about the prices at Starbucks?? YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING THERE!!!

Do you walk into the Gap, buy a shirt and then bitch about how much it costs??

You want a cheap coffee, go to Tim Hortons but don't come into Starbucks, order a Venti Latte and a sandwich and get upset at the barista (who has no power to set prices) when they tell you its $10.

As for tipping, it's not required but it is appreciated. Tip or no tip, I'm gonna give you the same service.

If they are busy behind the counter and they're really getting after it and manage to give a smile and thanks, I give a tip. If all they do is fill a cup with drip - no tip. It depends on what the effort involved is; arbitrary, yes - but I won't tip for just anything.

[NamelessBarista]

I use tips as a gauge of my service.

I don't expect tips so when people do tip us, I am extremely grateful. I assume that if people tip then I must have done something right for them. I don't treat people differently based on how they tip because 1) There's no way to know if somebody is going to tip or not until after you're done helping them anyhow 2) I really don't remember who tips and who doesn't. If somebody tips, sweet, I must have done something good.

I dunno, that's how I look at it.

As far as your drinks being expensive....congrats, you're part of the free market economy! Yay!

If you don't wanna pay for it, go get coffee elsewhere. The consumer HAS A CHOICE as to where to get coffee.
Besides, at least think of the baristas you do like that do make your day better who can afford to get medicines and go to the doctors when they need to, and all the coffee growers that can feed their kids and don't lose their farms to microcredit scams, and the environmental good that comes from Starbucks sustainable development initiatives with all of our coffee growers. Your four bucks goes a long way.

"Why do people complain about the prices at Starbucks?? YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING THERE!!! "

True, but they feel they do. It's the very nature of our consumeristic society. A lot of people really think they have to go to starbucks to be "hip" or "cool" or to "keep up with the Jonses". It's pretty messed up though.

[Barista to the Stars]

Let me just clarify one thing: I have been both a barista and a waitress. Baristas are responsible for far more of the upkeep and maintenance of the store and preparation and maintenance of the food product than waitresses.

And we don't expect tips, we appreciate tips.

Barista to the Stars

[coffeeguy :)]

Aye tips are not seen as necessary if you receive poor service don't tip.

If the service is fast and friendly tip.

that simple. I've worked bottom rung jobs before and I always tip when the service is fast and friendly. :)

[Amy Alkon]

I think many or most of the employees at Starbucks are working their way through school or supplementing a low-paying entry-level job. I look back on my days as a starving writer in New York (at one point, I slept on a door on two milk crates because I couldn't afford a mattress), and it gives me pleasure to leave a nice tip. I usually get a regular coffee and maybe shortbread cookies or a pastry and I toss in 50 cents. And when I order something else -- a juice or something, I'll tip again. They appreciate my tips at Starbucks, but they're also appreciative of people (like me) who say hello and talk to them. So many people have so little understanding of how little it takes to make people feel good, and to create a sense of community. If it costs me 50 cents and a smile and a hello, I think I'm getting off cheap.

PS Ask Starbucks employees what they do when they aren't working there and you might learn some of them have some pretty interesting lives.

[JustABarista]

Amy,

Absolutely correct. Since one customer found out I like to cook, we've become recipe swapping partners. Plus, I've taught somebody the secret to life (well, cooking)is butter.

[Jason]

Tip or dont tip. We dont care. I'll tell you now that most of us dont even realize when you tip, or even expect one. It's just something that randomly happens and puts a smile on our faces when we do realize it happens. Starbucks really goes out of their way to create a great work experience for us, so getting a tip is just icing on the cake.

Also, we as baristas have no control over the prices. Yes, they do seem high but hwen you think about how much it costs to run a store, pay the employees, buy pastries and milk....You have to remember that just because it's coffee doesnt mean that its going to be exempt from the same markups that you'll experience at any restaurant/retail outlet that you go to. It may be more expensive than a gas station's coffee, but I bet good money you'll get a better quality coffee AND service at Starbucks.

This topic is sooooo ridiculous. I realize this is a forum for discussion, but this is a topic that many many people do get very emotional over and I hate that we'll once again probably turn someone off to the Starbucks experience because of a partner that doesnt remember that what they say, even on the internet, reflects on the whole company.

[Kirstin]

Tipping your "favorite" barista as one user mentioned above hardly seems worthwhile as the tips are pooled weekly. In the store where I'm a regular, I'll gladly throw my change or a dollar in the jar when I have it, since most of the baristas know me. I consider it a tip for the good service and the fact that they make me feel welcome. It is a good point to note that America doesn't foster a "tipping" culture like some overseas countries where you'll tip anyone for anything...combine that with the fact that starbucks won't even give you a receipt (and a chance to tip while paying with a card) under $25 and how dependent most people are on debit/credit cards...it's ridiculous for anyone to "expect" a tip. For the most part the baristas I've encountered are pleasant and courteous regardless of whether I tip or not (probably due to all the on-the-clock caffeine they have access too) and it seems like they have a pretty great job anyway: competitive starting pay, good working conditions, customers with great brand loyalty, and all the day-old pastries and coffee you can consume. Sure there's the occasional jerk customer, but who in a service job HASN'T had to deal with that? Beats most jobs I've worked at. For a barista to become irate or deny me service for not getting a tip is really unacceptable.

[barryd]

"America doesn't foster a "tipping" culture like some overseas countries where you'll tip anyone for anything."

That's not how it seems from the UK. Americans look like they tip for everything!

Personally I tip when either my regular drink gets remembered, or if the server is really really really cute. Hey I'm divorced and heading through a mid life crisis, cut me some slack :p

[canadianbarista]

Wow! There's a whole lot less irate customers on this thread. And by that I mean the folks who say "Your coffee is already 4$ and you want a tip on top of that?"

Yes baristas are busy, and they do more than just pour coffee. At the end of the night, in my store, there are only two people left to make sure the entire store is clean. But if you've been working at *$ a while, you are used to the hard work.

The tip jar is there because some people systematically tip every service person they meet and we need somewhere to put it. Stores are not really conducive to leaving tips at the table, since customers pay before they get their drink, but it still happens sometimes when I'm clearing tables that I'll find a tip there (usually at a table where people have picked up their trash before leaving).

Personally I have never noticed how much someone tips, and the service I give has never changed because of it. The only tipper I ever notice is this lady who comes in with her husband. Her change is always .44$ and she puts the 19 cents in, meanwhile clutching the quarter for dear life because god forbid it falls in the cup.

People always talk about $4 Starbucks Coffee. Well, let's clarify. I buy a grande or venti everyday it is...$1.60-$1.80. NOT 4 DOLLARS!

Please, don't belive the hype. Yes, if your fat behind comes in everyday and orders a triple, mocha, choca, latte..expect to pay a premium. But still, I don't ever remember seeing any coffee drink at the $4 range. Am I wrong?

Man, people are whiners. Go to McDonalds.

[James The Barista]

I think tipping is great, why not? If you buy a three dollar latte and there is a little bit of change put it in the tip jar. We Baristas deserve it because we work hard getting treated like crap by customers who think we really don't deserve anything but min. wage and green apron. (though, you never just get paid min. wage at starbucks) So tip? Sure, its awesome to show your barista some love.

[barista chica]

Kirstin, you should get a receipt - one prints with every credit/debit card or starbucks card purchase. you do not have to sign a slip unless it is over $25. wonder why they told you that?

[jokester]

canadianbarista, you should just start telling her you're out of quarters and give her nickels and dimes all the time - ha!

[Jerry]

I don't think anyone should give Tips to Barista or people just stand inside the coffee bar.....well, i mean counter service shouldn't expect tips. Unless they are giving table service like normal restaurant.

[James the Barista]

When it is slow at night I usually do table service.

[frenchpressed]

I currently work for the bucks but before that I used to go to a particular bucks in college and I always left the change from my purchase in the tip jar. After my last exam I stopped by to get one last drink and tipped the crew a twenty for all the good times. Fast forward two years later I go back to the bucks. walk in and a girl who had worked there back in the day shouts out my name and asks me if I want my usual, she remembers down to the extra foam! She even remembered my major and other things about me. And yes she remembered the twenty and thanked me! Do we deserve tips yes.

[KGS]

I cant really understand why this is a big topic, but anyhow, I dont care if anyone tips or not, because at our store in vancouver, we get tips every couple of months not every 2 weeks and its only about 25 to 30 bucks, so when i have put in something like 90 t0 180 houres for that preiod of one or two months, 25 dollars, i couldnt care less about.
Although i do not like peopl whose change come to 1 or 2 cents and they hang on to it and make a collection out of it in their purse or pocket, and it is because one day they come back and empty all their change on the counter and want to pay their order with pennies and dimes, However you tip or dont tip, i dont care, and if you think coffee is to expensive have a look at some other caffe's where your small latte is gonna ring you up 5 bucks instead of 3.

[discriminate much?]

PLEASE TIP ME ...I WORK AT SUBWAY I MAKE YOUR SANDWICH.. CLEAN THE STORE >>>PREP ALL THE MEATS... CUT YOUR VEGGIES... TOAST THE BREAD SLATHER ON THE OIL ...RING YOU OUT..COUNT MY TILL...DETAIL CLEAN THE BATHROOM..MOP AT NIGHT.. DATE DOT ALL THE PRODUCE AND MEATS AND CHEESES THAT I HAD TO STAND AROUND AND PREP BEFORE WE EVEN OPEN..TAKE TRASH OUT..PUT AWAY THE ORDERS ..AND PAPER ORDER TOO...STOCK THE GRAB AND GO AREA..BE FAST BE COURTEOUS BE FRIENDLY... CLEAN THE FRONT DOOR,SPIN IN THE CAFE AREA,RESTOCK THE STRAWS RESTOCK THE NAPKINS RESTOCK THE SODA DISPENSER..CHECK ON THE CO2 ..FILL ICE IN THE MACHINE TAKE APART AND SANITIZE THE MEAT SLICERS,CHEESE SLICERS, MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH BREAD..SAUCES...CLEAN TABLE BASES...PULLTRASH FROM BINS...CLEAN THE SANDWICH AREA...BIG MESS AT CLOSING..LOTS OF FOOD PARTICLES..REMAKE A SANDWICH THAT WASNT TO THEIR LIKING, PUT SOAP IN BATHROOMS, PAPER TOWELS TOLIET PAPER, SWEEP OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR , THE PATIO, DISPOSE OF TRASH, CIGS, CUPS, ETC..ETC..SO PLEASE TIP ME AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN SOLIDARITY THAT DO THIS EVERYDAY..WHETHER AT BURGER KING, SUBWAY, QUIZNOS,...SORRY WE CANT LEARN YOUR NAME AS WE ARE NOT AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY IN OUR JOB REQUIRMENTS PER STARBUCKS "STANDARDS" TO WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE SANDWICH AND CALL IT OUT WHEN WE ARE DONE...
.............BUT BROTHER, COULD YOU SPARE A DIME?... (PS WE MAKE MIN. WAGE) BOO HOO

[Tony]

Can someone who pushes the tip jar simply outline for some of us what the actual paycheck you get covers? I just want to know when what I pay for a drink does not cover what you do, ok?

[Tony]

KGS, I almost feel like it is more insulting to throw 8 cents in the tip jar than not tip. At least someone on the other side doesn't get that "oh thanks a lot mister" thought. Someone not tipping affords many thoughts as to why not (or simply does not afford a thought).

[nickname]

well all baristas would diagree with that.

if everyone who came through our stores dropped eight cents, we'd be laughing ourselves to the bank.

the paycheck covers what we do. starbucks' way of saying thank you for what we do.
the tips are the customer's way of saying the same thing.

relax.

lets just end this.
(last post in this thread EVER!)
(i promise)
:)

[416barista]

Just a question for my fellow partners.....how much do you make in tips an hour??

For me, tips aren't a big thing because we rarely hit the $1 mark!!

[J]

Last week my partners and I made about $3.20/hour in tips. Is this average? I'm honestly not sure. What I do know is that I took home a nice chunkof change at the end of the week, and I am incredibly appreciative of it.

I would love to say that I don't expect a tip, but sometimes I do. If you order a tea, drip coffee, or an RTD&E item (or even just a regular latte or mocha) I don't expect a tip at all. However, when you walk up and order 6 venti Blackberry Green Tea Frappuccinos or a "jackpot latte" (with so many customizations that every box is mulitply-marked, eg. a half calf quad grande in a venti cup 3 toffee nut 4 mocha soy extra hot no whip 173 degree latte, you damn well better drop something in the tip cup.

Maybe it's a bad attitude to have, but I keep it on the inside. I can say, atleast, that I don't treat a nontipping seven pump extra hot no water soy chai customer any different than a treat a tipping drip coffee drinker (etc.,)

My simple guideline for tupping, though - If you get something basic, don't worry about it. If you get something complicated or mulitple drinks, tip a little. It doesn't have to be much, but it's always appreciated.

[Valerie]

I work at a very tiny Starbucks, so tiny there is usually one closer: Me. I enjoy tips they, warm my heart and they tell me i'm doing a good job, it is definitly not expected but just more polite and nice. Like everyone else i do not rate my service on if you tip but i do think if I am nice enough and my service is good enough i might just get your left over change, and trust me it does add up I appreciate it greatly!
I understand that our prices are high I'm just as upset as the consumer because my paycheck does not reflect how hard I work. The prices are high but you are paying for the name and the quality. If you are not a passionate coffee enthusiast go elsewhere but if it is a high qualitiy tasteful brew you are looking for stick to us.

[lulu]

It's simple you smug a$$hole customers, if you don/t tip you are probably getting decafed or some nasty reheated milk.

[Jason]

"It's simple you smug a$$hole customers, if you don/t tip you are probably getting decafed or some nasty reheated milk."

There's always gotta be one asshole barista that says some fucked up stuff like this...Please realize that most of us arent like this, and the ones who are wont be with Starbucks long. Most of the partners on bar dont even realize when customers tip, since they're not at the register....Partners like this should use the Super Secret Green Apron Behavior and BE QUIET!

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

I find if we play techno music in the store it increases the number of tips. Maybbe its because I am wiggling my hot butt for the customers or something? They could put the dollars in my apron.

[lulu]

Jason it's obvious you have been drinking too much sbux koolaid, and no i am not a barista i just know lots of them. I am just a customer that hates to see some of the idiot behaviour of your average bux customer.Really maybe you should go to school and fill your mind with something other than sbux. Now lets all stop this silly thread.

discriminate........ I do tip at subway or anywhere else there is a tip jar... if the service warrents it even Starbucks. If I feel I didn't get good (doesn't even have to be great) service I usualy don't tip.
Also you could get to know the names of your customers.... you could just ask them for GP's

[Drinker]

So I guess there's a bright side to having to turn down panhandlers 6+ times on the way to work: I really don't stress about the Starbucks tipping either way. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but I never ever feel guilty or anxious about it.

What I learned from the panhandlers is that tipping is 100% irrational because it's 100% emotional. If you do it, it's because you want to help the stranger in front of you, probably because he's in front of you, and the other 6 billion people in the world, probably much much poorer, are not.

You tip becase you want to. That's it. Not because you're getting better service, or because that person is more deserving than all the other people in the world, but because you want to. And you want to for reasons having to do with proximity, attractiveness (in all senses of the word, not just pretty-ness), likeability, your mood at that moment.

And ultimately you want to tip for selfish reasons because you hope it will make you feel better after, without the money in your pocket, than you felt before, with the money there.

Trying to have a rational discussion about this is pointless because it is not about reason.

Not at Starbucks, at least. I mean, honestly. Better service? Academics can't even come up with conclusive proof generous tipping improves service in restaurants, where service is about 10X more complicated and tips 100X as big.

Anyway I've been dropping my change in a lot more over the last few years. Probably because my pay has gone up, and probably also for some reason involving my ego, truth be told. It's funny how once I started it was hard to stop.

[coffeeguy :)]

I tip at subway....

I don't have any idea why you wouldn't It's not like they don't cater to your needs more then a fast food place would.

[halfzware]

SOP is 0 tip for fast food. Server may earn tip if order includes multiple drinks and/or food. Server must be prompt. Server must not carry on conversation with coworkers at expense of speed. Server must apologize for delay, real or perceived.

Tip jars are tacky. Tipping for table service is not tacky. Tipping bratty HS teens at suburban malls will not happen. Tipping professional adults may, just may, happen.

SOP is 18%-22% for full table service. Shoddy or poor service will net 9%-11%, but this must be reserved for specific instances.

SOP is always a dollar for every alcoholic beverage, regardless of complexity. This standard is subject to change if bartender does not offer buyback after third drink, or on regular visits.

SOP is 12%-15% for a taxicab. This scale is elevated to 18%-25% for nighttime drives and/or drives to remote locales.

SOP is $1 for piece of luggage handled/$5-$10 per night of hotel housekeeping (lower figure for inattentive/late/incomplete service).

SOP is $1-$2 for valet at train station who actually handles your luggage. SOP is always $2-$3 for hotel staff who perform same.

SOP is $20 per piece of heavy furniture moved by movers/delivery, plus $1 per minute of concerted labor, to a maximum of $30 additional. Housemoving entails different rates, not addressed in this guide. This yields a tip of $45 to piano deliverers who are in/out w/in 25 minutes of hard work. Tip includes offer of cold beverage/food on hand, and may be upped further to a maximum of $75 depending on total number of involved workers.

[HopkinsBella]

Whoa. Someone actually made this an interesting enough topic to post in.

Regarding Starbucks, if I pay with cash for my coffee, I always always always reflexively put the change into the tip jar. I've tipped up to $5 before, even for small orders. No big deal. If I pay with debit card, or someone gives me a Starbucks card as a gift, I usually don't tip then.

Ranting WAY off topic, HALFZWARE, I have to disagree with tipping piano movers. Recently had a piano moved, myself, and the flat rate was $350, plus mileage. It was not a taxing move in the least--no stairs to maneuver in either location, piano is a concert upright not a grand piano. Check for the three guys for a half-hour move was around $400--piano glides out of one apartment, drives 12 miles, glides into new apartment. I moved pianos for stage crew during my college years in more precarious situations than that, and was paid way less. You don't have to tip your piano movers, unless you're making them do extraordinarily ridiculous things i.e. moving up or down several flights of stairs sans elevator, making parking of their delivery truck impossible, etc. I do always offer bottled water or other bottled drinks, as the guys are usually off to take care of someone else's piano next.

End rant.

[Carter]

Nice Guy Eddie: C'mon, throw in a buck!
Mr. Pink: Uh-uh, I don't tip.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't tip?
Mr. Pink: I don't believe in it.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't believe in tipping?
Mr. Blue: You know what these chicks make? They make shit.
Mr. Pink: Don't give me that. She don't make enough money, she can quit.
Nice Guy Eddie: I don't even know a fucking Jew who'd have the balls to say that. Let me get this straight: you never ever tip, huh?
Mr. Pink: I don't tip because society says I have to. Alright, I tip when somebody really deserves a tip. If they put forth an effort, I'll give them something extra. But I mean, this tipping automatically, that's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned they're just doing their job.
Mr. Blue: Hey, this girl was nice.
Mr. Pink: She was okay. But she wasn't anything special.
Mr. Blue: What's special? Take you in the back and suck your dick?
Nice Guy Eddie: I'd go over twelve percent for that.

Tipping is out of control. Everyone has their hand out waiting for something for nothing. I don't make their salary, i didn't take the job. Tipping for actual service is very appropriate but, it is rare that you will find an employee that actually goes beyond the absolute minimum. Sounds jaded - I'll be Jaded in Seattle then.

[AL]

Tip if you got great service or ordered something that will take forever to make while a whole line of people is glaring at you.
And yeah no barista has any say in the price.
But it terms of how expensive it is to run a store, does anyone know how much a store makes per day?

[Cafe Girl]

I am a manager at a national coffee retail chain (not Starbucks) and we have a corporate policy of not allowing tip jars. We are allowed to accept tips from customers if they are offered, but we are never ever allowed to solicit them. We have a kind of set speech when a customer asks about the tip jar ("We aren't allowed to have one, but we are allowed to accept tips in hand") and for the most part noone tips. When a server goes *out of their way* to fulfill a customers needs beyond basic quality counter service, while at the same time juggling our other customers the server rarely recieves a tip. Tipping is not required obviously, but it is the hallmark of someone who knows how to treat the people who serve them regardless of whether there is a tip jar or not! I can't stress that last sentence enough.
There is a level of basic high quality service that is expected and deserved for the prices our cafe's charge for drinks & pastries. When a server goes above and beyond that, while seamlessly serving all the other customers, that deserves extra recognition of some kind. Anyone who was raised with an ounce of class or manners will tip accordingly. When my servers are not tipped in those circumstances I feel bad for them, but reinforce that this is the level of service we enthusiastically provide to *all* customers. Quietly, I also feel sorry for the customer who obviously has more time & money than manners to understand that they have failed to live up to their role in the social contract that binds the service industry to it's customers. Their inaction is just another tiny step towards the decline of a civilized society. And noone seems to care.....

[Drinker]

Thank you cafe girl for proving my point.

Listen to all of cafe girl's manipulative language about tipping. It is:

-"the hallmark of someone who knows how to treat the people who serve them"

-for "anyone who was raised with an ounce of class or manners"

-Neccesary to stop "the decline of a civilized society"

This is an obvious ploy to extract money from the customer by playing with their emotions. And extremely common.

Listen, cafe girl, you absolutely DO deserve a big tip.

Yes you do.

You know what else you deserve? Your favorite dish, at least once a month.

An attractive and loyal mate.

Affordable health care.

Your own home.

Your own car.

Clean water.

Vaccinations.

An early supply of the anti-aging pill that will be invented in 50 years.

A chance to play with the incredibly fun electronics that will be invented in 100 years.

At least a tiny sliver of all the value your hard work will create for the billions of humans who will be born after you die.

You deserve this, and so do all of us.

And if we deserve it, our parents collectively deserve even more, since they had it much rougher and basically created all of the nice technologies we have today.

And if we and our parents deserve, then our grandparents, deserve more than our parents and WAY MORE than us, since they collectively had the roughest time of all and made the biggest sacrifices.

And if we, our parents and our grandparents are highly deserving, then the billions of non-Americans around the world living in third world squalor surely deserve better than what they have, and deserve way, way, way more than cafe girl or myself.

Tipping is the custom by which some of the absolute richest people the earth has EVER KNOWN fling change -- change that could *utterly transform lives* in the third world -- at some of their fellow richest people ever on earth.

And you, cafe girl, have the absolute GALL to call this practice the linchpin of "civilized society" and the "social contract," the definition of "class" and treating people well.

The linchpin of civilized society is to humbly give to those who need it most, a process that is distinctly unlikely when the priveledged few are busy manipulating one anothers egos in the service of their own greed.

[Barista to the Stars]

Wow, someone needs to switch to decaf.