Do you tip at Starbuck's?

elektrolokomotive

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2004
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Why is it that when I go to a Starbuck's, or Tully's, or Specialty's, there's always a little tip glass/tin/bucket/jar sitting in front of the cash register? Why would I tip just because someone had to retrieve my coffee or pastry and ring it up? They're not doing anything special here. I don't see a tip jar at my grocery's bakery counter. Apparently "barristas" believe that thier great skill in drawing coffee demands a little extra coin.

I'm getting tired of all of the little "ups" in life that nickle and dime you to death. this is really just too much.

 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,066
4,712
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Do you tip at a bar? Is that any different?

Me, I would toss in any change smaller than a quarter with any purchase (all pennies, nickles, and dimes). But then, I never purchased anything at a Starbucks.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
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Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Apparently "barristas" believe that thier great skill in drawing coffee demands a little extra coin.

Depends what you get. Sure, it's pretty easy to get a cup of the coffee of the day so there's not much need to tip.

But you order a tall mocha latte with a triple shot and unpasteurized organic skim goats milk with whipped tofu topping, maybe it's worthwhile to throw some money in the cup.
 

anxi80

Lifer
Jul 7, 2002
12,294
2
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nope.

but they do make some pretty good coin from tips though. ive seen them make from at least $85 to $150 a week on tips. keep in mind that they dont get minimum wage either, so that extra hundred and some is a pretty good weekly bump. but i also notice the stores with the better looking and more flirty workers get the better tips. go figure.
 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Originally posted by: dullard
Do you tip at a bar? Is that any different?

Yes it is.

I don't tip at Starbucks. The tip jar is at the cash register. Why would I tip then? They haven't done their job yet. Maybe I would tip if I could walk in, not have to tell them what I want, and have it ready by the time I'm finished paying. Otherwise they are just doing their job.
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
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Originally posted by: dullard
Do you tip at a bar? Is that any different?

HELL YES IT'S DIFFERENT. Tip a bartender good and they'll hook you up. You'll spend less on tips than you WOULD have paid on drinks. Nothing like the "You tipped me so the second pitcher is on me" special.

You don't exactly sit around at Starbucks and buy a few rounds. The people at Starbucks are usually IDIOTS. No way in hell I'd tip them, just like I wouldn't tip the 14 year olds at McDonalds. They don't do anything cool for me, they just press buttons and do exactly what they are told.
 

elektrolokomotive

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2004
1,637
0
0
Originally posted by: dullard
Do you tip at a bar? Is that any different?

Me, I would toss in any change smaller than a quarter with any purchase (all pennies, nickles, and dimes). But then, I never purchased anything at a Starbucks.

Well, yeah, that IS different. If you don't tip at a bar, it's a sure bet the bartender will ignore you and you'll be waiting a while for your drink. since you're usually at a bar for more than one drink, one can see why tipping might be advantageous.

At STARBUCKS (ever so sorry, Pepsi), you stand in line, order, get your stuff and leave.

 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
not at chain restaurants (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc).

when I go to my local bagle shop or something, though, I usually put my coinage in the tip jar. the kids behind the counter are always really nice, and I like supporting local mom-and-pop places, especially since the ones that I go to seem to make a point of hiring local highschool kids rather than illegals.
 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
Even though my sister works at Starbucks and relies on the generosity of the coffee drinkers, I myself would never tip the barristas. The coffee is overpriced so I don't see a point in paying more for your coffee than you already have to pay.
 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Originally posted by: Ranger X
Even though my sister works at Starbucks and relies on the generosity of the coffee drinkers, I myself would never tip the barristas. The coffee is overpriced so I don't see a point in paying more for your coffee than you already have to pay.

Isn't paying $3/beer at a bar the same thing? You still tip the bartender though.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,584
985
126
I almost never buy coffee from Starbucks and when I do I never tip. Their coffee is too damned expensive, I'm not paying extra for the person behind the counter to do their job and pour it for me.
 

kyparrish

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2003
5,935
1
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Not at Starbucks. Although, if my drink was a little less expensive, I would then probably tip.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Originally posted by: kyparrish
Not at Starbucks. Although, if my drink was a little less expensive, I would then probably tip.
Unless that coffee was a "backup" :Q
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
By the way, the mentality is that if you put out a tip jar, some people might put money in it. If you don't put out a tip jar, no one will put money in it. You've got nothing to lose by doing so.