Starbucks and the tip jar

[jamesglewisf]

See, you made $6.50 an hour, not the tipped minimum wage which would have been $2-4 an hour. Most baristas don't make the minimum tipped wage which when you add tips bumps you up to the normal minimum wage. They just make the minimum wage for the state. That is because they are a fast food restaurant worker, not a waiter. Waiters get paid $2-4 an hour, plus tips. Minimum wage workers (like baristas) get paid the full minum wage which is $5-8 an hour depending upon the state.

See also http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/tipped.htm

[Bailey's Mom]

I don't mind adding a little change from the SB coffee in the jar. What bothers me is that RARELY do ANY of the baristas say, "Thank you!" It's not that they don't see me drop it in either. I work hard for my tips/money, too, and I always say, "Thank you!"

Appreciation goes both ways!

[mikeftrevino]

I very much agree that appreciation goes both ways, but you are dealing with Starbucks. They are not the standard setting establishment they would have you believe. They are fast food.
Most baristas will not really care, but some of us do, and we care alot. The standard setting businesses will be privately owned and run.
Here is a list of baristas that care and where they work. Maybe one is in your town. I'm sure they deserve and appreciate your monetary appreciation. On top of that, you will most likely get a drink that will knock your socks off.

http://www.baristaguildofamerica.org...opic.php?t=811

[AllyKat]

Originally Posted by jamesglewisf

The reason a tip jar in a bar is fine is because you are already expected to tip the bartender. It is a position that is traditionally tipped.

How is a bartender any different that the person who pours your coffee? If you're expected to tip the bartender, you should be expected to tip the barista too.

[Dude111]

Yes your right!

Welcome to frappydoo

[jamesglewisf]

A bartender is different because he is paid the waitstaff minimum wage instead of the standard minimum wage.

A barista is just another name for a fast food worker at a coffee shop. You don't tip fast food workers. They get paid the standard minimum wage.

It is customary in the US to tip waitstaff and bartenders. It is not customary in the US to tip fast food workers.

If you want to make the tips that a bartender makes, become a bartender.

[mikeftrevino]

Originally Posted by jamesglewisf

A barista is just another name for a fast food worker at a coffee shop.

Edit:I took out a long repetitive post.

[PsalmReader]

"Barista" is a new word for me! I don't drink coffee.
I do think it's good to know who is only making $2 or $3/ hr. (I remember those days!) Tips are expected to make up the difference for them.
My experience in those days was that no one made less in tips than the level they were being taxed at... most didn't want to pay those taxes, but they did make the tips plus more.

[Grimey]

Barista's are paid the normal minimum wage or more, not $2-3 an hour.

[nyactor]

I usually leave change up to a buck at starbucks or dunkin donuts ..and other bakery type places that do have tip jars.. sometimes if I feel the person helping me is really not caring/not paying attention.. makes me repeat my order 3 times and it's simple..and the place is empty... I might skip a tip and then there are times when I just don't have a buck or change to leave a tip --- it's a funny thing for sure. I bet it's done more in nyc and major cities... It is expensive to live here and tipping adds to it but you want to give more b/c you know people are still working hard (many anyways)..

But tipping at those places don't make a difference in what you get unless maybe you hand the barista a $5-$20 tip yourself BEFORE he makes your coffee.... but sometimes tip or no tip -- my coffee doesn't come out right...

[badabing]

I'm surprised at all the lobbying for tips I'm seeing here. I work for a manufacturing and retail company. I often work with customers, and I help them with their orders and make sure everything is right. I'm not tipped and I don't expect tips. Even so, I'm not paid that much. I can make a case for how I work hard and attend to each customers orders and how my job requires skills and blah blah blah, but should I? If i feel I'm providing so much service and can justify it, then I'll talk to my employer for a raise, not expect customers to make up with tips.

Tips are ideally meant for those who are paid the waitstaff minimum wage. That means the government taxes them based on expected tips. If you don't fall into this category, you have no right to expect a tip, no matter how much of a service you provide. If your customers like, they can tip you. If they don't, that's absolutely no reason for you to look down on them and think they are cheap. If you are a barista or a highly skilled fast food worker and you feel you're doing so much service, then increase the price of your coffee or have your employer increase your wages, or go get a job where you can work for tips.

Bottomline, if you get the normal minimum wage, you have no right to expect tips. If you get tips, good for you. If not, good for you

[LHP20]

If you can't afford to leave some pocket change then you should not be buying a latte. A little goes along way and what's it to you to leave a buck? If you ever notice when you tip your barista she kindly says thank you! And smiles. It isn't expected but greatly appreciated like I said if you can't afford a tip then you should stay home

[jamesglewisf]

It is a fast food restaurant. We don't tip at fast food restaurants.