How one Starbuck store tries to increase interest in tipping

A Starbucks in upstate New York put out two tip jars -- one labeled "Mac," the other "PC." Customers voted on their favorite computer platform with tips. When the staff added up the contents of the jars at the end of the day, they declared a winner: Macs won, with twice as much tipping as PCs. Anyone have other examples of Starbucks stores motivating customers to tip? (Read the story at computerworld.com)

Comments

[lattewizard]

ANONYMOUS-
You may not feel baristas are entitled to tips, but Starbucks taxes baristas for tips even if they aren't getting them. So I can understand why baristas would whine!

Here's my tip story from today.
One of our regulars came in and ordered a coffee. Sometimes he orders drip coffee, other times a latte. I thought he said coffee today, so I charged him for coffee and gave him his change. I grabbed his coffee and gave it to him. He looked at me and said, "Did I say coffee? I meant a latte."

Oops, I heard coffee. He said, "what do i owe you for a latte then?"

I said, "don't worry about it, I can't hear today!"

And then he put his 5 dollar bill in the tip jar.

RELUCTANT TIPPER-
"I don't think baristas work hard enough to warrant being tipped."

Maybe you should try being a barista for a month.

During the morning rush at my store the register partner rings about 80 transactions per half hour which means the barista making drinks is probably making at least 60 drinks in a half hour. The bar person has to be on top of what they are doing. It's all about multi-tasking. Checking the cups, steaming milk, pumping syrup, pulling shots, pouring milk, whip cream, oops, there's a frap! Some of these things are happening at the same time. I always catch myself trying to steam milk with one hand and pour milk with the other. It's not as easy as it looks. Ok, it's easy once you get the hang of it, but I would never say a barista doesn't work hard enough. We are constantly doing something.The person running the shift is probably running around doing everything else (brewing coffee, grabbing pastries, getting change for the register, cafe checks, helping on the bar, expediting drink orders, stocking, etc) Then there is the person on food making 4 breakfast sandwiches at a time and listening for more orders. Oh, and don't forget we know probably 77 out of the 80 customers' names and drinks that just came in.

I don't know about anyone else, but my feet hurt at the end of the day. And I've been doing this for almost 5 years.

Oh, and at night, when it's super slow and it looks like the baristas aren't doing anything, we're cleaning! I think I've cleaned more at Starbucks than I've cleaned my house, ever. Scrubbing nasty toilets, floor drains, mopping the floor, taking out trash that leaks all over me because people dump coffee at the condiment bar, etc.

I'm not complaining about my job because I love it. I'm just trying to explain that we do work hard!! It's not just about pouring coffee.

oh, and I don't get tips either.

[Zepling]

OPUSCHRIS,

You are a generous and very thoughtful customer. I used to be a B&N Cafe Server and I made about 10 cents a week in tips (with no tip jar, as you already know). I loved most of my customers and knew their orders by heart and had it ready for them when they got to the counter yet I never received a tip. Your post about your experiences at B&N made me smile.

Even though I didn't get tipped often I still appreciated the respect and gratitude that my customers showed me when I went the extra mile for them. I think it's great that you go out of your way to show them that you care when others tend to forget that we B&N servers work just as hard as a Starbucks Barista.

And to answer your question; I was always taken aback when customers would put the tip in my hand with a vocal "thank you" attached when I was on bar. It never failed to brighten my day. No doubt a barista would be very thankful to you as well.

[sfbuxmgr]

I don't get tips because I'm a manager, but I do know that my partners do appreciate them and a lot of them depend on the extra income. While it may just seem like change to most people who do tip, it all adds up and it means that my partners make an extra couple of bucks for every hour they work. I do feel that baristas are underpaid for the work they do, and I for one am happy that they can make extra money with the tips that come in.

When a customer tips when I'm at the register, I smile and thank them so that they know it's appreciated. Will it change the service they receive that visit? Not really... besides the extra smile and thank you from the register partner, they'll receive great service just like the customer before them who didn't tip. We don't keep track. The barista making your drink also has no idea if you tipped or not, so don't worry if you don't tip. Just know that for those of you who do, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who are serving you at Starbucks.

that i am competant enough to do this job,

you aren't even competent enough to spell competent, lol

[djo10]

If you would spend as much time looking for a real, PAYING job, rather than trying to justify and rationalize why WE should tip you, we would all be happier and much better off ............

[burnt bean]

@ CHITOWN'S BEST/ANGRIEST BARISTA: i agree with you. anon poster above, was that necessary?

You work for a company that pays your a living wage; not a company that figures your tips are part of your salary (like a waiter).

Even when I'm in a typical restaurant location, unless I have SUPERIOR service, I will not tip. Yes, I know "those people live on it," etc., but I say they need to get real jobs. Being in your thirties and busing tables or serving food just means you're a loser.

I will NOT tip at SBUX because you already get paid a living wage.

[Susann]

I agree with the previous (anonymous) poster to a certain extent. Tipping in a restaurant is different -- the person has to write down an order, physically convey it to the kitchen, physically carry it out, and they check in on you periodically to see if you need anything else. They are working for you at that point, and if they do a good job a tip shows appreciation.

People at SBUX need to know how to push register buttons. The order spits out for the person who preps is (and it's coffee or tea, not a full meal). They put it on the counter. I pick it up and drink it.

Let's face it -- you people are the equivalent of McDonald order takers, not professional wait staff.

[Susann]

I agree with the previous (anonymous) poster to a certain extent. Tipping in a restaurant is different -- the person has to write down an order, physically convey it to the kitchen, physically carry it out, and they check in on you periodically to see if you need anything else. They are working for you at that point, and if they do a good job a tip shows appreciation.

People at SBUX need to know how to push register buttons. The order spits out for the person who preps is (and it's coffee or tea, not a full meal). They put it on the counter. I pick it up and drink it.

Let's face it -- you people are the equivalent of McDonald order takers, not professional wait staff.

And for those people who want to know "why wait for your change" or "why not throw us your spare change" - if you end up with just $1 spare change each week, it's $52 per year --

[Bladerunner]

Living Wage. Depends on what you think living is. You try living on 800 a month (a good month,lots of hours plus good tips). The Food bank is not an unknown for some of us.

[jeannie]

Hi, I usually do tip. But I do agree that you should only tip if you feel the barista deserves it. I think they should have one tip jar for each barista working at that time with either their name or picture on the jar. That way you would know who is getting your tip. If there is someone who doesn't get alot of tips maybe that would make them realize hey maybe I need to step up my performance to get some tips. Or why is so and so getting more? Then you could really make sure that the tip is getting to the barista that is deserving of it.

[Bladerunner]

Living Wage. Another Neo-Con phrase thats sounds good but isn't all its cracked up to be. Depends on what you think living is. You try living on 800 a month (a good month,lots of hours plus good tips). The Food bank is not an unknown for some of us.

[B-Mo]

The assumption that employees make a living wage at Starbucks or a B&N Cafe is a false one. I used to work at a B&N Cafe, without a tip jar, as others on this thread have acknowledged. I got approximately three dollars per week in tips working 30-40 hours per week, thanks to one very kind regular who had once been a waitress. At the time, I had three jobs plus occasional catering gigs and still only scraped by. (By scraped by, I mean I had to drink soy lattes while at work because I could rarely afford food, and it was my sole source of protein.) I now have a salaried position elsewhere, but still have two other jobs.

(Side note: it really gets on my nerves when people say that Starbucks baristas are salaried. This is a mistake only someone who does NOT make an hourly wage would say. Salaried positions mean guaranteed income. Hourly wages mean the employee is at the mercy of the work schedule each week. Check your dictionary or Wikipedia if you need further clarification.)

Many people that work as baristas are seeking additional employment elsewhere. However, with the economy being what it is, many fields are not hiring even extremely well-qualified candidates.

That being said, I never expected tips, and I never would as a barista. It's not a matter of "expecting." It's about hoping that the high-maintenance customer who can afford a quad venti 4-pump vanilla 4-pump hazelnut soy latte on a daily basis might understand that the barista on the other side of the counter works very hard but might barely be able to make rent, let alone order $6 lattes. It's about hoping that a person might be willing to offer 20 cents they don't need to another person who would really appreciate it.

As far as the restaurant comparison goes? I have waitressed, and I have tended bar. Both positions customarily receive tips for the service provided. IMHO, bartending is much more difficult than waitressing, and slinging lattes falls between the two. It's harder than it looks.

[EM]

I tip at my fav stores, when I have cash. The problem is that I'm always using my debit card, and your store policy doesn't allow me to add a tip onto it. Why?

Tips are figured in with the checks, we do pay taxes with them..and this job does not pay the bills, my other one does..so those high and mighty of you screaming about the service industry is paying my "living wage" can eat it..by the way, remember i hold the power of the decaf button when you are an utter ass to me

[Anonymous]

Here's a tip... SBUX is at $19.56... way to kick off '08 SBUX...

[Beantownsbuxbitch]

Living wage my ass!!! Is $8.98 an hour in Boston a "living wage?" Rents here range from about $900.00 a month for a closet to 3 grand a month for a palace. Some of us have four roommates just to get by. I am not a loser or a slacker, I am an educated woman in my 30's. (associates degree in psychology) I chose not to work in my field because I don't want to work for the state taking someones kids away from them, or treating people like shit in a homeless shelter. I have seen both, and couldn't do it for moral reasons. People at the Buck work our asses off, and deserve better. It's people like the living wage guy, that keeps minimum wage so low. We all deserve food, shelter, healthcare, and respect. No matter what we do for a living. When minimum wage is only 7.50 an hour, corporations (including Starbucks) get away with paying people peanuts. Change needs to happen at the government level so that good honest people can earn a true "Living Wage."

[lattewizard]

DJO10-

If we all went looking for REAL, PAYING jobs, who is going to be making your lattes???

You'd be surprised to know how many Starbucks employees have college degrees and work there for benefits while doing their "real" jobs on the side.

For those saying they "deserve tips" because they aren't paid enough:

No one feels they are paid enough! If that is your reasoning for "deserving tips" then you need to find a better paying job.

I do tip - when I have extra change, or my barista has gone above and beyond the norm. However, I do not think anyone should feel obligated to tip someone for doing their job description. You knew how hard it was and the effort it would take before you accepted the job.

yeah, living wage my ass. living with too many roommates and too much debt while incurring so much more to finance a college education that may or may not guarnatee me a better (paying) job.

[onlymystory]

not that most would agree with me but the word TIP in customer service lingo originally stood for To Insure Promptness. Tipping happened in the beginning to guarantee that your order was put at a higher priority. For an interesting tidbit.
I struggle with this as I've worked in customer service for years but I'll throw my 2 cents in (sorry bad joke). It is true that no one is required to tip and I think that for bad service it would be ridiculous to tip. There is a Sbux in my town that has the worst reputation. (we're talking people driving 30 minutes out of the way to get the right cup of coffee) They certainly don't deserve any tips.
But what about the rest of us that take the time to remember you? My store is a quiet store and we do about 500-600 transactions a day. All of my baristas could name over half of the regulars and their drinks. I do think my store is special as we don't feel like a Sbux but more like the neighborhood shop where people sit for 6 hours. It does seem as though if you can afford to drink 2-3 lattes a day, 5 days a week, you could afford a couple extra bucks for us.
And finally, to those who say all we do is press a button--allow me to cover the duties of an individual partner on a typical morning.
Register 1 (near the pastry case)--listens for all pastry orders, bags them, warms some in ovens, cooks all sandwiches, refills the pastry case, washes dishes regularly, takes customers orders (remembering your 3 minute long drink order to call back isn't easy), ringing you up, making quick change (I'd like to see a lot of you do math that fast), communicates with fellow employees.
Register 2--calling drinks, taking orders, ringing customers, making change, rebrewing coffee around every 30 minutes during peak, calling pastry orders, and restocking.
Bar 2--listening to barista's calling orders, drive thru orders, marking cups, calling milks and variations to bar 1, restocking bar, steaming milk, pumping syrups, pulling shots, calling down the line of customers.
Bar 1--listening to bar 2, steaming milk, pouring drinks, topping drinks, keeping up on restocking needs, handing off drinks to appropriate customers, chatting with customers as they wait, listening for drive drinks.
Drive thru orders--taking drink orders, calling pastry orders, making all brewed coffee/tea/iced drinks, grabbing pastries often, restocking drive, organizing drink orders, listening to orders on drive (did you know that when you turn away from the speaker we can't hear you and that if you don't tell us its iced, we won't know to make it iced?)
Drive thru register--freezing to death in winter, reading off orders, grabbing pastries, chatting with customers, ringing up orders, making change.
And all of us do this with a smile, friendly conversation, and in under 3 minutes so that you can make it to the office on time.
And then on top of that we shift supervisors are in charge of inventory orders, tips, deployment on the floor, supervising multiple employees, all monies, security and a number of other details. But that previous poster is right, all we do is punch buttons on a screen and just like on The Jetsons, your coffee magically appears.

[harmaa]

Living wage? Don't make me laugh!

My (crappy) tips pay for my food for the week and transportation to work. If my tips are particularly bad, I don't eat, and I walk to work. I have a bad hip that needs to be replaced in a few years (I'm young, though), and this is particularly unpleasant in the winter.

I wish those of you who bitch about tipping could spend a week in our shoes. You'd probably have a breakdown.

[djo10]

Since when are you entitled to a living wage?

If you don't make enough to live on where you are, get off your rear and find a better job. Stop expecting some "kind" person to feed you for free.

You can easily be replaced by an illegal alien. And your corporate office knows it. That is why the pay is so low.

Get an education and find a job that minimum wage people cannot do. And don't whine to me about student loans, blah, blah, blah

We are all paying off student loans, so get over yourself.

If you like living paycheck to paycheck, I am happy for you. Just do not expect me to supplement your income based on your job satisfaction factor or your moral code.

[lattewizard]

DJO10-

"Just do not expect me to supplement your income based on your job satisfaction factor or your moral code."

I don't expect anything from you besides respect.

Why do you feel it is necessary to put down people that work at Starbuck? You do not know everyone's situation. Maybe they like working there. Or maybe the job is flexible enough for them to do other things.

I'm not living paycheck to paycheck. I have a college degree without loans to pay. (Lucky, I guess.) I make $33,000/ year to make COFFEE! And I still have time to run my own small business on the side. Sounds pretty good to me.

Just wondering DJO10, what do you do for a living?

[Eric]

lattewizard wrote:

"I make $33,000"

Oooo, marry me!

Get an education. What a broad, assuming, over generalizing statement to make.

I have a quite adequate education (both an undergraduate and a graduate degree, which, come to think of it, most of the partners at my store ARE completely college educated and/or older parters who have come back to work for fun), work at Starbucks to supplement my other part time job while I search for my full time job (that minimum wage people almost certainly cannot do). I cannot make a job materialize out of thin air.

As for replacing a employee with an illegal alien, more power to them. I'm not sure what your point with that argument is. Since an illegal alien is in fact a person and is not by default stupid because they weren't born in America, I'm pretty sure illegal immigrants could replace most of us at our jobs if given the chance.

[Darleen]

lattewizard wrote:

"I make $33,000"

Oooo, marry me!

Eric,
Whats with the crap attitude? Every post I have read from you today is putting someone else down. Do you need to do that to feel better about yourself? It's very negative, and a huge turn off.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

Eric -- Try *constructive* criticism.

[Darleen]

My sentiments exactly webmaster. You however were much more pleasant in your approach. I'm sure Eric will appreciate that. Sorry to be so crass , the negative put downs were getting to me.

[onlymystory]

yes, please remember people that just because we work at Starbucks doesn't mean we're stupid. My benefits are better than many of the people I know who have the big corporate job but more importantly I enjoy it. I'm a published author but I work at Starbucks because I love the people and the atmosphere.
and if the fact that some of us choose to work in a coffee shop with a college degree doesn't entitle us to earn a "living wage" then why the heck should you be entitled to one? Show a little respect.

This is to all the whiners (aka baristas at SBUX):

You work at a RETAIL COFFEESHOP with really flashy marketing and a (slipping) reputation for being hip. You are offered more perks for someone in your position at, say, McDonalds, but when you compare apples to apples, you and that McDonalds worker can be interchanged. Your jobs are extremely similar.

Keep that in mind, now, for the next mindblowing realization: when I think of McDonalds workers, I think the bottom of the heap. As a SBUX barista, you ARE just like the McDonalds worker: bottom of the heap. What each and every one of you have is this egotistical, self-important facet to your jobs.

Why are you thirty and working at SBUX? Why, especially, are you thirty with a COLLEGE EDUCATION, working at SBUX? There are probably a few legitimate reasons (second job, fun money, etc.) but most of you can be summed into this category: LAZINESS. While your college peers are at law firms, finance offices or other professional industries, you have comfortable eeked by on the peanuts SBUX pays you. They worked much harder and you lingered at a job that doesn't ask too much.

Someone above mentioned that corporations (SBUX included) know that labor for your industry is cheap compared to, say, a lawyer or a doctor. They CAN and WILL pay you as little as they can. Personally, as an investor in SBUX I not only applaud but EXPECT this from them. They are maximizing my investment (which isn't doing so well right now, and I have little wonder as to why after reading this website).

You complain about the poor attitudes of your customers, the poor pay (and your complete false entitlement to tips -- HA!) and the poor work environment. Your job boils down to laziness. You made a poor choice a while ago to be lazy, to take the path of least resistance, and you ended up where you are.

When you all complain about the guy who can afford a daily $4 drink while you can barely afford to live your lives and how he doesn't understand your issues, you should probably understand a couple of things. One, that guy doesn't need to understand your insignificant "issues" to get his coffee. Nor should he feel bad. He is paying for coffee that pays your salary. Two, that guy is probably going from/ to SBUX to work/ after working on something FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING YOU ARE DOING AT SBUX. He made the choice to be able to afford his $4 latte, and you made the choice to eat at a food bank.

It's plain and simple. You get what you deserve. I deserve a $4 latte daily and the good life. You deserve to serve it to me in a pleasant manner, not give me something I didn't order (you do NOT control the DECAF button. If I ever actually run into this, I will call you out and SBUX will side with me... they always side with the customer, according to this website, anyway), and further increase profits.

You can cite your "guiding principles" but ultimately, the minute SBUX issued stock to the public, they had a DUTY to the investors FIRST. Your "guiding principles" offer very LITTLE in the way of security to you. I mean, as you all have said, when store sales go down, so do your hours. Where's SBUX at then?

You should stop whining, go do something with your lives and realize no one owes you ANYTHING. You get what you work for.

[burnt bean]

You are an ASSHAT. Why are you trolling this site? Have you nothing better to do in your big and important life than belittle honest hard-working baristas? There is so much hatred in your post, you must be a lonely individual.

Lonely, no.

Realist. Yes.

[Bladerunner]

Wow its sound like someone is very small spirited. I pray you never have to work in the service industry, to support yourself or a family. I find it sad when those with more, feel so entitled. You may feel that your a realist. But your view is a little higher and mightier.

[troy]

laziness? how does our job have anything to do with laziness? i sweat every single shift i work, because i work my ass off. just because were not sitting at comfy desk jobs watching YouTube videos while our boss isnt looking does NOT mean that we are lazy. you're the most ignorant person i've never met.

i think everyone is entitled to a living wage. no one should have a job and still be in poverty.
i am entitled to respect. as human beings we all are.
you are not entitled to a $4 latte. that is your choice. nobody's forcing it on you.
but you're still getting decaf anyway.

[feygele]

This isn't a new, or even unique, idea. The coffee chain JavaU in Quebec uses this tipping method, with each location choosing a different "A v. B" to label the tip jars (and they change it regularly - every day in most cases). Sometimes they make sense ("Mac v. Windows") sometimes they're blatant attempts to increase tipping ("Girls tip better v. Boys tip better"), and sometimes they make no sense at all ("Freddie Mercury v. oranges").

It's good fun, and if you're already planning on leaving a tip, it makes you smile.

[Michael C.]

"Living Wage. Another Neo-Con phrase thats sounds good but isn't all its cracked up to be. "

Actually, Miss uninformed, it's a leftie phrase. Conservatives and libertarians are against minimum wage laws no matter what you call them.

Anyway, counter-help don't get tips. If they do, where does it end? Tip the McDonald's cashier? Or how about the cashier at the Supermarket or Wal-Mart? (they make even less than you).

Sorry you have a low-paying job, but that's your problem. Take it up with Starbucks or find another place to work.

And to the boy whining because you have to pay $34 a paycheck for benefits. Man, you need to get out in the real world. Everyone who has benefits has to pay for them. You are getting off cheap. Welcome to being a grown up.

[Beantownsbuxbitch]

I cannot believe the Nazi Republican assholes that troll this site. I bet they would even approve of a caste system here in the US. So that low pay workers can never get a step up. Yeah an illegal immigrant could do my job, but then Starbucks would be breaking the law. I bet that would be great for the stocks, not to mention ordering a 10 modifier latte to a person who doesn't speak English. Get off of your social high horse and care about others, I hope you lose your cush job, and have to work in (gasp!) the food service industry for a while. Then m,aybe you will understand the plight of the inpoverished.

[djo10]

Beantownsbuxbitch
"Get off of your social high horse and care about others, I hope you lose your cush job, and have to work in (gasp!) the food service industry for a while. "

Ten years ago I worked in retail. After 18 months I decided that I didn't like working nights, weekends and holidays.....and since I was an assistant mgr, no overtime pay. I went to night school, finished my degree and found a desk job that pays x times what I was making in retail. It is not my dream job, but it allows me to buy $4 latte's whenever I want.

And just because my pay is comfortable, does not mean that I am on a social high horse. I make my life's choices just as do you. And if I lose my "cush" job, I will look for another.

What I will not do, is beg for tips while whining about poor pitiful me. And if one of my coworkers(customers - in your world) upsets me for some reason, I do not sabatoge the product (data) I have to deliver to them, just to get even.

[djo10]

and webmaster, if you are going to get on Eric for abuse, you might consider doing something about the name calling by Beantownsbuxbitch

[customer]

It's bizarre to me to see how many posters attempt to justify their tip entitlement position based on their financial needs. FYI: Starbucks is a business, not a charity. The people in line are customers, not philanthropists. They're only there to buy a cup of coffee, not to accept financial responsibility for supporting the employees.

[A Customer]

Hey Anon - who thinks Sbux are bottom of the barrel. Your post speaks volumes on the type of person you are. A self-entitled, egotistical jerk with a decent vocabulary. You must be so proud of yourself - that you're able to put other people down so you feel better about yourself.

I'll bet you're the type that doesn't donate anything to charity except what you give United Way out of your paycheck because your company's manager says "you need to get off the non-donators list."

I work in a nice cushy job too - I get my $4 latte nearly daily, but I wouldn't dream of verbalizing any rant that demoralizes people in their job choice. As a shareholder, you should really be ashamed you contribute to what you think is already poor morale.

My son also works for SBux - he's 22 and working his way through college. He enjoys his job, works incredibly hard - in fact much harder than I do at my cushy job, but he gets benefits, a nice work environment, has made great friends and is planning his future.

And really - being rude to people who serve you food is just downright stupid.

[seth]

Make good foam (not over cooked, burnt, or negligent)...get tip

[Adrienne]

WOW. Why are you being so nasty, djo10. If you think the baristas here are whining, stop reading. If you think that SBUX is the 'bottom of the barrel' sell your shares, and get some that are more profitable. Honestly, of all the people I have met in my days as a barista, I have never, NEVER, messed up a drink 'on purpose'. I wouldn't dream of it. Why? Because you, with your holier than though attitude, just aren't worth it.

[Just a Customer]

I don't believe in mandatory tipping. I generally order drinks directly off the menu with no frills or special requests. I also use the DT 99% of the time. While I appreciate the service, making a menu drink and handing it out a window is not tipworthy. I do recognize "above and beyond" situations tho. I arrived a DT one night 5 mins before close (I thought the store closed later) and the barista had already started to break down the bar. She took my order anyway without mentioning it or acting inconvenienced at all. When I got to the window and noticed she had to put the bar back together, I apologized and tipped graciously. She easily could have told me they were closed or been rude. I also pay closer attention to posted closing times!

Trust me, I'd love a 'real job' sitting at my desk, getting a coffee monkey to run to sbux for me, checking my email when my boss isn't around, actually getting coffee breaks, etc.....

Unfortunately I'm an actor and starbucks has benefits. And before you belittle the plight of an actor (and yes i know i chose this) remember you pay the big bucks to be entertained and pay the major dollars to have your 5 dollar latte every day... and without us, you'd have to do it yourself.

And then you might ruin your suit. Too bad huh?

[espressoterraca]

"It's plain and simple. You get what you deserve. I deserve a $4 latte daily and the good life."

WOW.

"You should stop whining, go do something with your lives and realize no one owes you ANYTHING. You get what you work for."

WOW.

"Reality" check: There is an awful lot of work that needs to be done to make the world go round and each one of us contributes to this...it's all interconnected but the payoff is NOT the same. Fortunatly for me, I understand the physical labor that is required at Starbucks, standing all day while working in an assembly line fashion. There's the stocking, trash runs, cleaning...but I don't need to go into that - just remember every home, hotel, restaurant, building, business, city, etc. has to employ PEOPLE, people who are entitled to dignity to do these jobs, and if I had anything to do about it they would live the same comfortable lives as the "professionals".

Keep your chins up, hard workers! There is something to be said about honest-to-goodness hard manual work. It's good for you body and soul, in a way that a job that allows money, but complacency, can not provide.

[espressoterraca]

"but when you compare apples to apples, you and that McDonalds worker can be interchanged. Your jobs are extremely similar"

I really have to chuckle at your false sense of security. No position in life is guaranteed. Fate can step in create unimaginable twists and turns.

Wow.