I consider myself to be a good tipper. I always tip at least 20%, even if the service isn't that great, because oftentimes the problem isn't the server's fault. I also know that servers in restaurants don't make minimum wage, so it never bothers me to leave the tip on there. My husband is a server in a restaurant and I know those tips go to support our family. A server has to be exceptionally bad for me to tip less than 20%, but I always leave something. And yes, I even tip servers at buffet restaurants just as well because they keep the table clean and refill our drinks.
I also tip my hairdresser, or at least I used to when I used to have a hairdresser. These days I just whack my bangs off into the sink. But if I did go to a barber or hair stylist, I would tip them. It's just proper tipping etiquette, right?
Here's where the waters get muddy. Starbucks. What is the appropriate tip for a $4 cup of coffee? How are the employees compensated? I know restaurant servers make about $2.13 an hour. What is the going rate for a coffee barista? Because I don't want to tip you for doing your job if you're already getting paid for doing your job. And 20% on a $4 cup of coffee is 80 cents. So do I just let you keep the change? Or do I give you a whole extra dollar? I never know what to do at Starbucks. Sometimes I tip if I have some extra money, but mostly I don't. I've probably consumed gallons of Starbucks employee spit in my lifetime. I try not to think about it too much.
I get just as confused about Sonic. It's your job to skate my food out, so do I need to tip you? It isn't polite to ask the car hops how much they make an hour. I usually throw them an extra dollar if I have it, but am I supposed to? Or am I just being generous? I don't know.
This last one is the one that really gets me. I've been seeing signs like this all over:
Gas money? Really? I'm supposed to give you gas money for showing up at your JOB??
I'm seeing tip jars everywhere. Self-serve yogurt shops in particular bother me. I mean, I just went down the little yogurt assembly line and made this delicious treat all by myself, and there's a tip jar by the cash register. Why? But this one was my favorite of all time:
See the little tip cup behind the animal feed sign? Why???
I really do think about this too much. I've decided there must be some psychological thing that happens when humans see a tip jar with a dollar in it that compels them to leave a tip, even when a tip is not warranted. Just seeing the money in the tip jar makes people think that they are supposed to leave a tip, so they do. Without even thinking.
I think perhaps I can use this to my advantage.
At the next parent-teacher conference night I'm going to sit a tip jar on my table. When I'm done dispensing advice about reading with your child, practicing math facts, checking homework and agendas nightly, I'll nonchalantly glance at my tip jar and see what happens. Oooooooh! Even better! I'll label my tip jar "Tips for Tips". I give you tips for helping your child be successful, and you drop a few bills in my jar. I know people think that teachers are selfless individuals who aren't in it for the money, but that isn't entirely true.
I think I might have just stumbled upon a goldmine...
