I was having a chat with Barb yesterday morning and we got on the subject of tipping. Now, I’m a firm believer in leaving a great tip for great service, but it seems as though every one is asking for a tip these days.
When we order a pizza and have it delivered, we always tip the driver. But when we order a pizza and then go in and pick it up ourselves, I’m always a little confused as to why there is a tip bucket sitting there on the counter. Who am I supposed to be tipping? Am I tipping the cashier for taking my money or am I tipping the person who made my pizza? If I were sitting in a restaurant having a meal, should I not only tip the server, but tip the hostess and the chef too?
I’ve seen tip jars at the drive-thru windows of coffee shops too. Is this strange or is it just me? When I see these tip jars, it almost makes me feel obligated to leave a tip even though I drove up to the window and picked it up myself.
There’s a restaurant around here where you walk in and order your food and they assemble it for you right there while you stand in line. You walk down the line telling them what you want and then get to the cashier to collect your food and pay for it. And what is sitting right there? Yep. A tip jar, only this one is cleverly disguised with the words “Gas Money” written on it.
I understand tipping servers and bartenders. I know that their hourly wage is very low and that tips are how they really make their living. I’ve worked in nightclubs and bars most of my life and have seen these people bust their butts and put up with a lot of abuse to serve the drunken patrons. So I never have a problem leaving a tip for good service.
We tip our hairstylists, our nail techs (not that I have one), the Chinese food delivery person, the dog groomer and I’m sure a lot of other people I can’t think of at the moment.
What are your thoughts? Do you think that tipping has gotten out of control? Do you feel obligated to tip just because you see a jar sitting there?
When we order a pizza and have it delivered, we always tip the driver. But when we order a pizza and then go in and pick it up ourselves, I’m always a little confused as to why there is a tip bucket sitting there on the counter. Who am I supposed to be tipping? Am I tipping the cashier for taking my money or am I tipping the person who made my pizza? If I were sitting in a restaurant having a meal, should I not only tip the server, but tip the hostess and the chef too?
I’ve seen tip jars at the drive-thru windows of coffee shops too. Is this strange or is it just me? When I see these tip jars, it almost makes me feel obligated to leave a tip even though I drove up to the window and picked it up myself.
There’s a restaurant around here where you walk in and order your food and they assemble it for you right there while you stand in line. You walk down the line telling them what you want and then get to the cashier to collect your food and pay for it. And what is sitting right there? Yep. A tip jar, only this one is cleverly disguised with the words “Gas Money” written on it.
I understand tipping servers and bartenders. I know that their hourly wage is very low and that tips are how they really make their living. I’ve worked in nightclubs and bars most of my life and have seen these people bust their butts and put up with a lot of abuse to serve the drunken patrons. So I never have a problem leaving a tip for good service.
We tip our hairstylists, our nail techs (not that I have one), the Chinese food delivery person, the dog groomer and I’m sure a lot of other people I can’t think of at the moment.
What are your thoughts? Do you think that tipping has gotten out of control? Do you feel obligated to tip just because you see a jar sitting there?
SIS Bren
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22 comments:
Brenda,
Good morning! I definitely do think it's gotten out of hand, but I don't always feel obligated everywhere and every time I see a tip jar. I think it's partly because of the economy that businesses and the people that work for them, and for themselves, are trying to maximize the money they make. Tip jars are just one way to do that.
That having been said, I've been one of those drunk patrons on more than one occasion, and several times have been pushed in a wheelchair from one end of an airport to the other to catch a plane. I don't mind tipping people who provide a service to me that requires actual work, but I'm not gonna tip someone standing behind a cash register pushing buttons and asking me if I want fries with that.
Hi Bren
Tip jars don't bother me. If I see one, I just put the coins I recieved back in the jar. Most people could use the extra money at this time.
I think tipping cashiers and chefs or whatever is just crazy. Hello? Don't you draw a salary? Servers, on the other hand, are almost always paid next to nothing because they do get tipped. But if the service I get is poor, so is the tip. As for tip jars at drive up windows? Yeah, dream on, people. *g*
I agree, too many tip jars out there now. I have always considered myself a good tipper, but I don't usually participate in the jar thing. If I do, it is only left over change. That is probably what they figure is going to happen. If the majority of customers dropped in their change it could maybe add up to a decent amount at the end of the day.
I consider myself to be a pretty generous tipper, but I admit I'm sometimes surprised by the tip jar. I remember the first time I was walked up to a Dunkin Donuts counter to place my order. There was a tip jar there. I wasn't sure why. But in the end, I felt like BJ. Times are tough and if they need a little extra that bad.... As long as they're nice to me, I'll at least leave the change from my purchase.
SIS Beth
Oh, please. I'm not tipping anyone that doesn't deserve it. I buy tons of coffee every week. I've yet to put my spare change in the jar. I think the establishment should actually be embarrassed. Do they know that their employees have put these jars out with crusty, hand-written signs scotch taped to them? I bet if the CEO of Caribou was scheduled to observe that day, they'd put the tip jar in the garbage where it belongs.
I know, I know. Some of you are thinking I'm heartless. I assure you I am not. I tip servers, bartenders, stylists and many others. I tip the people that actually spend time with me doing something for me. I tip them because they deserve it and I know that their salaries reflect the fact that they primarily rely on tips.
Yes, times are hard. We could all use extra money, which is exactly why I'll be keeping mine.
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Hi Chris,
You? A drunken patron? Well, maybe it's happened but I've never seen it. (Can you feel the sarcasm dripping off that statement?)
I absolutely agree with you that it's great to tip people who provide a service that actually requires work...and I probably shouldn't feel obligated when I see a tip jar. If I want to tip, I should do so, and if not then I shouldn't feel bothered about it.
SIS Bren
B.J.,
I sometimes have put the change from my order in the jar, and received a disappointing look from the person running the register. When I did it at the pizza place, I was almost afraid that she would spit on my pizza when she went back to the kitchen to retrieve it.
I know times are hard, but still...
SIS Bren
Hi Tori,
I have to say that I am guilty of over tipping when the service is lousy. I still feel bad for these people that they are making next to nothing hourly....but then again, shouldn't that inspire them to provide excellent service?
SIS Bren
Brandy,
You're right, if every customer just dropped in their change, it would probably add up by the end of the day. I don't mind sometimes dropping my change in there, I just don't enjoy the unapproving looks I sometimes get.
SIS Bren
Hi Beth,
Dunkin Donuts is exactly the place that I see the tip jar at the drive-thru window. Throughout the week we visit several different Dunkin Donuts and I've seen it at every one. We get coffee at least once every day, sometimes twice. I keep my change, because after a few visits, I have enough change to pay for another two cups of coffee. Some might call me cheap, but honestly, it all adds up.
SIS Bren
I've never gotten an unapproving look. Trust me, if I had, I'd be completely turned off by the idea of jar tipping. Also, I don't always contribute, just when I feel the people serving me were very kind. Which they always have been in my Dunckin Donuts.
Great. Now I'm craving a French Vanilla coffee with sugar and a glazed donut!
SIS Beth
Barb,
Tell us how you REALLY feel! HA! I know what you mean. I try to look at both sides of it, and I guess I can understand that times are hard. But maybe these companies should give their employees a little raise...oh, I crack myself up!
SIS Bren
Huh. We don't have a drive thru at my DD. Also, I don't visit there very much so . . . I guess it's a matter of experience and perspective.
I still can't believe the pizza person gave you a nasty look. That would definitely tick me off.
SIS Beth
Here's another thing that bugs me. Several stores are asking if you want to donate a dollar to this charity or that and they add it on to your bill at the register. Usually, I do. It's generally for something like Jerry's Kids or MS, always a good cause. But one day I said "No thank you", and I got a look from the cashier like I was the most disgusting person in the world.
And I hate when kids stand at the entrances and exits of major stores with their baseball hats held out and asking for donations for their league. To me this is one step away from begging. I'm all for fundraisers, but shouldn't you do something to raise the funds? Like maybe a carwash? I'll always put money in the Salvation Army bucket though...
SIS Bren
Beth,
What? No drive-thru? You should protest. Our Dunkin Donuts are so busy, there is always a line inside and out!
And I don't want to make it sound like I never put money in the jar. I do sometimes...I guess I just wish that the jar wasn't there.
It must be because it makes me feel obligated. I don't know, maybe I'm wierd.
SIS Bren
Brenda,
You, sarcastic? Never! I wish I could remember her name, but there was a female bartender at Jack's for a while that I always tipped, and every so often she would send a free drink my way, which was very nice but not the least bit expected. So you see, it wasn't my fault I was drunk some of the time!
I can remember one time I ate at a restaurant which was slammed and understaffed that night, and the waitress said so from the start and did her best. The service wasn't great but I tipped her generously and wrote her a short note that I appreciated her effort. She was so grateful that she came up to me almost in tears as I was leaving to thank me.
I think people who don't provide a service and rely on tips and feel like they still deserve them should try it and see what it's like.
Chris,
Was the bartender blonde? I'll bet it was Julia. She rocks!
Bren
Bren,
Yeah, kind of short and sandy blonde, if I remember her correctly.
Krys
Brenda,
I think she was, and she would occasionally sing with Sequel. 'Stormy Monday', I think?
Krys
Krys,
Nope, not Julia. Wendy Woo. For sure it was Wendy and she was a great singer and super nice lady.
Bren
Wow,
Leave it to me to forget the name "Wendy".....
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