tipping

for the record I don't think I've ever gotten a waitress who was able to refill the drinks "on time"...usually you have to wait 5-10 minutes.

Well, that's lousy! But I take pride in being a big refill-anticipator. You find satisfaction in the small things in this line of work I guess.

tip a few dollars, also depends on the ethnicity of the buffet

????

re. the ethnicity thing.

I have recently been chided by my girlfriend, an ex-barista, for not routinely tipping at coffee shops. I mean, sometimes I throw a buck in the tip jar, but I haven't -- until now -- been routinely doing a dollar-a-drink like I do at bars. GF notes that making a cappuccino or espresso is more work than pulling a pint, and barista wages are no more than bartender wages, so tips should be commensurate. This makes sense to me and now I feel guilty.

(and I just read the barista tipping guide up above, which I'm sure my girlfriend would endorse)

I don't feel guilty! They're not waitstaff, and I don't tip the guy who makes my sandwich at the deli.

Yeah, I mean ... where the line exactly is between "server" and "service employee" is hard to say. But I get the analogy to bartenders. Especially if you're actually drinking the coffee at the coffeeshop. Getting it to go might be more like getting food to go (when I usually don't tip, except maybe a buck or so).

But anyway. More to the point for me is my girlfriend will think I'm a Bad Person if I don't tip in coffee shops, so that's worth avoiding.

A buck! A buck is what I would tip for a cocktail, you say it like that's the LEAST you would put in. This is a fucked up world in which coffee servers need to be tipped. Not to say that frothing milk and making lattes and stuff isn't work, but...how is the CUSTOMER supposed to know that their employer isn't paying them minimum wage??

I meant I tip a buck or so for pick-up food, not coffee. (Though there's probably a whole etiquette discussion there, too.)

And I think baristas really are supposed to make minimum wage. Whether they do or not might vary, I don't know. Otoh, minimum wage isn't much.

i tip baristas, the cute ones at least

whenever I tip a barista, they always say "why are you pushing me"

No, but wait a second: the mandate to tip servers/waitstaff is because there's a pre-existing labor model in place in which they are paid WELL under min wage under the assumption that tips will make up the difference (and potentially more). We don't tip them JUST BECAUSE they don't make "a lot" of money. There's a specific tacit agreement.

Making min wage is, god knows, not a comfortable place to be in any way, but it's not up to the customers to make it up to the servers?

it's not. that's why you don't have to tip baristas.

...Which is what I'm saying. Tipsy has personal reasons to keep his gf sweet and happy by being not-an-asshole in her eyes, so he tips. I'm kind of reacting to the suggestion that we should all be doing it. Because I'm reactionary like that, at least on days ending in -y and on which I'm really really bored.

I tip for a complicated coffee drink and/or food that requires prep but not for drip coffee and a muffin on a plate.

I wouldn't argue that's the right way to do it, mind you. It's just the way I roll. There's a sandwich shop in my building and I sometimes stop for a drip coffee ($1.77) and I never put he change in the change jar, because it's like the arbitrary line I've drawn, and the cashier hates me.

yeah i mean i usually do it if it's convenient (i.e. i pay with a card and there's a signable receipt with a tip space) but i don't really feel bad if i don't do it.

the beginning of this thread was funny

A buck! A buck is what I would tip for a cocktail, you say it like that's the LEAST you would put in. This is a fucked up world in which coffee servers need to be tipped.

you do see how there's more work in a latte than a beer though, right?

whenever I tip a barista, they always say "why are you pushing me"

― Dreaded Burrito Gang (DJP), Thursday, April 28, 2011 5:00 PM (23 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

i hope this post doesn't get lost

I SAID A COCKTAIL. THERE'S MORE WORK IN THAT TOO.

I'M GLAD WE AGREE.

BUT EVEN SO, IF IT WERE A WELL MADE COCKTAIL WITH GOOD SPIRITS I WOULD PROB DROP A COUPLE BUCKS, AND SO I AM COMING INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT I SHOULD DROP A COUPLE BUCKS FOR A GOOD COMPLICATED COFFEE DRINK AND MAYBE DROP A GEORGE FOR A BLACK COFFEE.

IF SHE'S CUTE.

so on average, the more attractive you are, the more tips you get??
hmmm interesting

But How do you tip at a bar? Do you lay the extra money down on the bar, or what?

change it into quarters, try to flip them into a glass behind the counter

bartenders love customers who are "fun"

Never got into bar games much, though. In fact, I've never drank at a bar.

IF SHE'S CUTE.

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:36 PM (17 minutes ago) Bookmark

this is still really the main thing isn't it

The place where I am confused about tipping is at a stylist. I can't tell if I am way overtipping or not. $45 haircut + $20 tip = I feel confused every time. This is probably standard? Or not??? My sister-in-law who is a stylist will talk about clients who leave tips in the hundreds, or pay her in airline tickets, and I am like 'wtf is going on???'

I mean I think the triple-digit tips aren't a regular thing but I am still ––– ––– ––––––––––––– ––– you know?

The safest rule to follow in all tipping situations is "assume 15-20% or $1/unit" (the latter being for instances like buying drinks at the bar; $1/drink)

I'd say you're overtipping by the baseline rules, but if that's the amount you want to leave then leave it; the reason your SIL is talking about those specific tips is because they are extravagant and ridiculous (and, in the case of the plane tickets, potentially gross; is the client expecting to fly with her???? ew)

No no no I'd probably tip like $10 on that, Abb, if that gives you any perspective. Might tip $20 if the cut was over...$60? Or thereabouts.

this is still really the main thing isn't it

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 28 April 2011 17:54 (9 minutes ago) Bookmark

i mean honestly a friendly demeanor regardless of cuteness is the biggest thing, buuuuuut yeah this too

the reason your SIL is talking about those specific tips is because they are extravagant and ridiculous (and, in the case of the plane tickets, potentially gross; is the client expecting to fly with her???? ew)

haha Dan it is a wonder I ever figure anything out. This makes perfect sense. I think the person who tipped her plane tickets had a cheap hookup (worked for an airline) & just knew she would appreciate it, no crepe.
I am always an overtipper. Tipping just makes me nervous!

Also, man, that extra dollar (or I guess $10 extra dollars for my stylist!), that makes a person so happy. Really no big deal to throw down $1 extra and that person hooks you up forever.

My reasoning actually on that styling tip – the first time I saw her I tipped $10 ($10 plus an extra dollar). But then Jenny upthread said $10 was the proper tip for a free bang trim that literally took less time to do than any song from "Double Nickels on the Dime." So why should that, and something that takes an hour, get the same tip? It made no sense to me.

Well that's really the thing about tipping; you should tip what you feel comfortable leaving. The "rules" are really guidelines.

I'm never sure what to tip at a place with counter service, where you order and pay at the counter but then they bring the food to your table. And per the immediate above, I'm not sure what to tip the stylist when I bring my daughter in for her free bang trim. I mean, the haircut itself only costs $10!

OTOH $10 for the bang trim made no sense to me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU9lv_WqK6k

Yeah in general if you tip well at a bar and are friendly to the bartenders they really do hook you up

I played bar dice numerous times with bartenders who would intentionally tank the game, great times

I have never actually gotten anything back form bartenders. But we always tip way too nicely at the pizza place down the street & last night the owner gave us a p deluxe pizza & two beers for about $15 less than he should have. Very nice.

I meant I tip a buck or so for pick-up food, not coffee.

servers still often have to tip out on to-go orders, which i get most ppl dont really realize, but its always fun to lose money on an order

I meant I tip a buck or so for pick-up food, not coffee.

servers still often have to tip out on to-go orders, which i get most ppl dont really realize, but its always fun to lose money on an order

But then Jenny upthread said $10 was the proper tip for a free bang trim that literally took less time to do than any song from "Double Nickels on the Dime." So why should that, and something that takes an hour, get the same tip?

Because the trim is free.

(My stylist charges $40 for a haircut; I leave her $50.)

servers still often have to tip out on to-go orders, which i get most ppl dont really realize, but its always fun to lose money on an order

― dearth of the hipster (Lamp), Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:40 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark

really? i did not know this.

servers still often have to tip out on to-go orders, which i get most ppl dont really realize, but its always fun to lose money on an order

― dearth of the hipster (Lamp), Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:40 PM Bookmark

this can't get stated enough. One of my MANAGERS actually remarked that "hey, the whole reason I *order* food to-go is so I don't have to tip! Ha ha!" and I just about stabbed the guy. People who go to sit-down restaurants and order to-go food HAVE TO TIP at least a couple bucks. It's like, yeah, you're not sitting down and getting refills and as much checking-in, but the server (who has actual tables, who they are trying to GIVE attention to) is taking time away from that to run around and get your to-go order together, including all the behind-the-scenes service (making sure it's made right, arguing with the cook when it's not, including the condiments you might want, putting the ice cream in a separate styrofoam thing so it doesn't melt as fast etc etc) - - c'mon!

sorry, sore spot, carry on y'all.

also, would like to add that I think most people are basically decent tippers, and that the reason tipping conversations spin rapidly out of control is that servers of course are hyper-aware of the bad tippers, who, while not a majority, are way more numerous than the good tippers realize. So you get into the conversation and a server's going on and on about these bad tippers and you figure they have to be talking about you, but it's really about the two different tables they had last night that tipped them $4 on a $50 check or what have you.

I don't know if the tipping out on to-go orders is the same everywhere. For instance, where I worked, the bartender did all to-go orders, but they got paid minimum wage in addition to their bar tips. and even being a former server, I think it's pretty lame to tip someone for just handing you a bag.

but you are right, bad tippers that think "oh who gives a fuck, other people will make up for my bad tip" don't realize many many people operate under the same assumption and there are nights people can get heavily screwed.

In regards to the question way upthread about why I tip even if the server is a dick, my reason has nothing to do with them tipping out, it's really just like I try to understand that nobody's perfect, and everyone can have an off night. however, if the server is so rude to the point where I'm offended to never wanting to set foot in the building again, that's a different story, but I'd likely be getting a manager at that point (note: never had to do this in my entire life as of yet).

as far as 'reforming' the tip system (in an earlier thread...sorry, can't post from work), I don't think it needs reform. Servers probably would make less under a new system.

and honestly, I think they deserve what they make. It's not a 'hard' job in that you don't have to know complex mathematical equations, have an MBA, or be a rocket scientist, but it is a difficult job because you have to multitask nonstop for a long shift, often with little to no stoppage. And often you're sacrificing your nights and weekends. It's mentally taxing and a job I could never do again.

seriously my customer service jobs were way harder than what i'm doing now making twice the pay, and i was always well above minimum & never had to split tips. that labor law allows people to get away with paying what they do for service work is not fucking right.