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Woman Says She Will Not Tip Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers For Handing Her A Cup, Starts A Discussion Online
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Woman Says She Will Not Tip Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers For Handing Her A Cup, Starts A Discussion Online

Interview Woman Says She Will Not Tip Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers For Handing Her A Cup, Starts A Discussion OnlineWoman Shares That She Absolutely Refuses To Tip Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers, Starts A Discussion“Are We Tipping At Starbucks Now?”: Woman Sparks Controversy Online After Ranting About Why Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers Don’t Deserve TipsFormer Service Industry Worker Says Starbucks Drive-Thru Employees Shouldn't Be Tipped, Starts A Discussion“I Am Exceptionally Passionate About This”: Woman Rants About Why She Doesn’t Think Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers Deserve TipsPeople Are Debating Tipping Culture After This Woman Says She Will Never Tip Starbucks Drive-Thru EmployeesPeople Are Debating Tipping Starbucks Drive-Thru Workers After This Woman Says She Will Never Tip Them For Handing Her A Cup
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Even if you don’t live in the United States, you’re likely familiar with the tipping culture. When you eat out at a restaurant, you’re expected to tip your server. When you get your nails done or take a taxi, you’re expected to tip. Some hairdressers take tips, and just about any service industry worker, including baristas, will be happy to accept a little extra. But while it might be expected in many places, tipping is technically not required, which leads to many people’s opinions on the topic differing.

In December 2022, Starbucks introduced a new “tipping prompt” that appears after customers pay with a credit card, asking if they would like to tip $1, $2, or $5. They can also select “No Tip” if they so desire. But this recent addition has sparked controversy among customers, and one woman turned to TikTok to rant about it. 

Below, you’ll find a video that content creator Meghan Elinor shared explaining why she refuses to tip her Starbucks baristas, as well as some of the comments passionate viewers left her, so you can decide for yourself how you feel about this new tipping prompt, pandas. Then, if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing tipping culture at Starbucks, look no further than right here!

Starbucks recently added a “tipping prompt” that appears after customers pay with a credit card, and it has left many wondering if they should be tipping

Image credits: meghanelinor

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Image credits: meghanelinor

So TikToker Meghan Elinor shared a video ranting about why she refuses to tip at Starbucks

Image credits: Robert Couse-Baker (not the actual photo)

“No ma’am, no ma’am, we are not tipping at the Starbucks drive-through. [Hell] no”

“I am exceptionally passionate about this because I worked in the service industry serving my a*s off for the first 10 years of my life from the time I was legally able to work at the age… I think in Maryland, it was like 14-and-a-half or 15 or some bulls**t like that… 15 until I was 24, 25, so about 9, 10 years.”

Image credits: meghanelinor

“I love y’all, I do, but I’m not gonna [freaking] tip you when all you’re doing is taking a cup and handing it to somebody outside the window”

“That s**t, that s**t is hard. Being a server, being a busser, being a runner, like that s**t is real difficult. So yes, I will 100% tip you 20, 30, 40% every single day of the week. But Starbucks workers, listen. And I understand this is controversial. I’m sorry, not sorry.”

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Image credits: Erik Mclean (not the actual photo)

You can hear her full explanation right here

@meghanelinor ♬ original sound – Meghan Elinor

We reached out to Meghan on TikTok to gain some more insight on the video, and she was kind enough to have a conversation with us. First, she shared how surprised she was that her video received so many views so quickly. “I had absolutely no intention of the video going viral!” she told Bored Panda. “TikTok’s algorithm is absolutely crazy, and who knows why it chose to push out my content!”

“That being said- I think the engagement on the video speaks for itself,” Meghan continued. “There are a far greater amount of individuals who have liked the video and agree that tipping culture has gotten out of hand, as opposed to the individuals that disagree and left negating comments. I believe that tips are an earned privilege and should never be expected. Especially in a work setting that is already paying an hourly rate well above minimum wage.”

“If we do not tip at Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Target. etc, why do Starbucks employees believe tips are expected?” Meghan asked. “If others want to tip- great! But I will not unless there is outstanding customer service. Which, unfortunately, has not been my experience at most Starbucks.”

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Some viewers agreed with Meghan, noting that they won’t be pressured to leave tips either

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If you’ve ever worked as a barista, I’m sure you know that it is not an easy job. Starbucks employees can be on their feet for 4-8 hours at a time, they have to deal with demanding and rude customers who are in a hurry, it can be extremely stressful handling huge rushes of customers, and the baristas are often pressured to be perfect. One employee told Business Insider that they’re not even allowed to stop and have a conversation with customers because it can hold up the line. 

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“They’d rather us be machines,” the barista said. “When I started in 2010, we had partners who had been there for eight-plus years. The customers were like family. We had seen their children grow. Now it’s frowned upon if I stop to have a conversation with a regular I haven’t seen in a while.”

Starbucks employees are expected to smile and deliver perfectly crafted drinks extremely quickly all day long. Sure, they might not be running around a restaurant waiting on tables, but that doesn’t make their job inherently easier, and it certainly doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t earn tips. Some customers may feel that the tipping prompt is putting pressure on them, but they can easily just tap the “No Tip” option. Despite earning above minimum wage, most baristas aren’t making huge amounts of money, so if someone wants to throw them an extra few dollars every now and then, that’s their prerogative. Perhaps a customer received excellent service, and they wanted their barista to know that they acknowledged it! 

However, one point that Corey Mintz, author of The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them and What Comes After, brought up in a piece he wrote for NBC News is that customers might be directing their frustration about the new tipping prompt in the wrong place. Some patrons appreciate the prompt because it reminds them to tip, and they assume that baristas will suddenly start earning more money. Others, however, are outraged that Starbucks has the audacity to request tips for their workers. But Mintz raises the possibility that we’ve all been “conditioned to perceive tips from a fraudulent perspective.”

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“The idea that our tip reflects the effort on a server’s part or represents an expression of gratitude from us is a distortion,” he explains. “In truth, tipping is all but required as a matter of social courtesy, which restaurants trade on in paying their staff an hourly rate lower than the state or federal minimums in 43 states. Instead, the customer makes up the difference by tipping, which in full-service restaurants can comprise the majority of their earnings. In short, tipping is a scam to maintain the illusion of low prices while allowing restaurants to pay their employees less.”

Mintz notes that, because of this, he will always tip service industry workers 20%. But at the end of the day, it’s up to the individual customer how much they would like to tip. If you can afford to buy a $5 coffee at Starbucks, that barista might need that $1 tip more than you do. But if you don’t want to tip them, feel free to select that option as well. We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments below, pandas. Do you tip at Starbucks? Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring a Starbucks barista sharing the things customers do that annoy her, you can find that right here!

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But others challenged her video, pointing out how hard Starbucks baristas work and saying that all service industry employees deserve to be paid well

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Adelaide Ross

Adelaide Ross

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

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Adelaide Ross

Adelaide Ross

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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Asriel Dreemurr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem here lies in a society that allows businesses to set wages at absurdly low levels and then excuse it by making the customers pay the difference through tips. Starbucks can afford to pay their workers properly, it’s just that they don’t want to.

Ivo H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! That's why I cannot agree with all the "just press 0 and move on" people in comments. This is problem that needs to be addressed and culture that needs to be stopped. Everyone should be paid living wage and tips should be form of appreciation. The problem are companies and corporations alone and servers/baristas complains should be the loudest.

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Rob Jager
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so when i buy a pack of coffee at the supermarket, i've to tip the employees for putting it on the shelves??

Becky Samuel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, but it doesn't matter that the workers who grew the coffee get paid per day what the barista gets paid an hour because we can't see them and they're not 'Muricans. (Obviously /s)

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GenericPanda09
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's face it, it's the US that is driving this whole tipping 'culture'....... You just don't see it to the same degree as anywhere else you go around the world. They've brainwashed enough low-paid employees and their entire culture that it's the customer's job to make up for s****y wages and not the employer. How it works in most of the rest of the world is if a server goes above and beyond in their service.. something more than their basic job description, then you tip. If they don't and just do the minimum you'd expect and you're in a place with 'service included' on the prices.. you don't. Then you get (usually from waiting staff people) 'oh you're so cheap and mean'...... cause it's far easier for them to say that about customers than it is for them to have the balls to say it to their bosses faces and actually fight for positive change. I lived in the US for a while... and Jeezus H Christ.. everyone always seemed to be either outright holding their hand out for something extra on top of the bill or suddenly come on with a coughing fit if you just said 'cheers... bye now'. Like a bellhop.... If I turned up with a half a dozen cases then yeah dude.. you deserve something a bit extra to your wages for steering a trolley into a lift and following me up..... but one bag that you aggressively took off me in the lobby despite me saying 'no it's ok.. i got this'? No... just no....... that's just basic job description to take a bag to someone's room.

JessG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you, BUT---a server would get nowhere but fired for them to "...have the balls to say it to their bosses faces" which would do absolutely nothing because it isn't their boss's decision. Furthermore, if all the employees decide to strike because of the c**p wages, you better believe it wouldn't matter because they would have absolutely no problem finding an entirely new staff that WILL work, regardless of the wages. Nothing will change unless EVERYONE is on the same page, but that will NEVER happen, unfortunately, because there's always someone desperate for work

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guyx23
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tips are a courtesy for great service, not an obligation. Staff wages should be included in the price and covered fully by employers, it's not up to customers.

Gergely Kiss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

> But others challenged her video, pointing out how hard Starbucks baristas work and saying that all service industry employees deserve to be paid well The entire tipping culture needs to be changed. People should be paid living wages and not rely on customer generosity to be able to pay their bills.

CatWoman312
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t tip when I order to go orders either for basically the same reason. I’m so tired of tipping culture! We have to overpay for literally eggs along with everything else so why can’t these rich fûcks just pay their fûcking employees and stop putting it on the patron?!?!?

LazyPandaTiredPanda.Z.Z.Z.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Starbucks works stand four to six hours a day." That's cute. I stand on concrete floors 10 to 11 hours a day. I don't expect a tip for having to stand up. I have about 20 other things to do and I am sure a barista does too- strange the tik tokker chose to stress the standing up part as a condition for tips

JFKPaint
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very soon they will all be replaced by an AI robot. Then, no worries about tipping. Why do you think Starbucks is so anti Union?

CGZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. In NYC both Starbucks and Trader Joe's have closed locations when they had employees trying to unionize. LOL!

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Sto Cristian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's up with people saying how hard it is to make coffee or carry a few dishes to tables. What's these people's expectations of an easy job? Just sit and say hello to everyone that comes in? They take the job then spend the whole time complaining about how hard it is and how little they're paid to guilt trip the clients into giving them more for doing the bare minimum. Don't like it? Do something else, there's a ton of demand and everyone is missing employees

PigSquatch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This tipping s**t is getting stupid. The Subway near me has a tip jar and asks if you use a card now. The flipping gas station near me has a tip jar. The local bar where the employees make 15-20 an hour, and yes that's bar tenders as well wants tips. When does enough become enough?

CGZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We tip for exceptional attitude, attention and service. For many years I didn't tip my superintendent at Xmas time. My agreement is with the landlord. If my plumbing breaks that's between the LL and me. I don't care if he calls in a plumber or hires a guy to live onsite and fix the plumbing. I don't care if he brings his toolbox on his bicycle to fix it himself. If the LL wants to pay the super to do it, go for it. Now I tip my super, because when I spent the night at the hospital I called the super to feed my cat. Good to have someone I can call. That's tippable service.

Debs Bee
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US, Starbucks hourly rate starts at $15 for serving coffee. Employees don't deserve a tip. Compare their wages to restaurant servers, whose hourly rate is a couple of dollars, who NEED tips to even come close to $15 an hour.

Praecordia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

15$ dollars is not a livable wage. That’s 28k a year in income. I don’t know who could live off of that that is not living with their parents. That being said I don’t think that we should tip Starbucks employee’s not because they don’t deserve it or don’t work hard because I know they do. Starbucks get’s busy and they don't stop moving much like a server or bartender. I just think their employer need’s to pay them more especially when they are charing 7$ a cup. Living wage is 22$. That’s what they should make not 15$.

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ERIKA H.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree that the Starbucks "only hand someone a cup", they make the coffee too and have to be super fast. but the expectation to tip everyone now is unreasonable. I can't tip every single person for every purchase I make (especially with how crazy prices are). Service workers need to get mad at their employers and stop getting mad at the consumer - this is coming from a former service worker btw.

TheKitKatLizard
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Average Starbucks Barista hourly pay in California is approximately $16.50, which is 29% above the national average. Salary information comes from 2,120 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months." "The common salary of a Starbucks barista in New York ranges from $16.05 per hour to $23 per hour." ... that's more than most servers with tips already included. If the coffee is already $8, you'd think the service of low quality garbage being assembled for you would already be included in the price.

David
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not tip for a drive through cup of coffee. (**) I feel the "tip" is already built into the ridiculous price. I live in semi-rural area of Washington state. Prices sort of reasonable compared to some parts of the USA. Local brand 16 ounce mocha is over $6. My friend gets one most Saturdays. I grind my beans/make espresso at home and it costs me pennies. There is very little time or effort involved. I understand business overhead but the markup is already HUGE so there should be enough to pay employees and bills. (** I do rarely tip. Like the poor lady working solo on a dead night shift and I was grateful they were open that late.) I don't hate employees (and I do tip in restaurants), I just feel the USA needs to get its S..T together regarding the whole tipping thing. I have been to many countries where tipping was not a thing.

Pug Pug
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I over tip, however, I feel we should not tip at all. The fact that a job is legally allowed to not pay a living wage because of tipping is b******t. Just pay people living wages for the time they work, and lets all agree to no longer tip unless you want to

JammaCoast2Coast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I fully agree that tipping culture needs to end - being that employers/multi-million/billion dollar companies can afford to pay their employees a working wage...until that happens, people need to remember that your tips don't go to one singular person in food industry establishments. You aren't obligated to tip, but you also know that the folks that are working in those jobs heavily rely on the kindness of patrons to tip so they can pay their bills and get food on their tables. A little compassion can go a long way.

Michelle Ramirez
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Greed culture by big business! I dont like the automated way either, it's not like the cashier cant see if you did it didn't leave a tip! I'm tired of these big companies expecting the consumer to pay for their employees! Starbucks is a treat for me, so I dont take lightly the cost, so now CV my treat time is ruined by the guilt of addiding a tip when I shouldnt be asked for one, you already receive a salary. Many other businesses dont require a tip for their employees to do their job either. MHO and I'm going to stop giving one...everyone should until businesses step us!

DC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with the beginning of your article, "Even if you don’t live in the United States, you’re likely familiar with the tipping culture." Tipping culture pretty much only exist in US or North America. I immigrated from Asia to US, and I had to learn about tipping (except under pillows at hotels) here in the States. I also traveled to other parts of the world and almost no other countries I visited so far has the same tipping culture we do here in US. The service industry I used to work for flat out said they don't give pay raise (1 month and 5, 10 years employees gets the same hourly wages) because their employees can get paid with the difference from their tips. The US tipping culture is just simply odd to me. I don't have problems with tipping and with extra when the service is above and beyond. But actually asking for more is just entitled, ungrateful and greedy.

Maggie Plummer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"be on their feet for 4-8 hours at a time, they have to deal with demanding and rude customers who are in a hurry, it can be extremely stressful handling huge rushes of customers." This seems like a really dangerous game to play. If we're going on the physical toll being a reason for tips, then should we tip construction workers whenever we use a building? (In my state the average construction worker only out earns one at Starbucks by about a dollar) Should I or my fellow teachers expect parents to tip us on days where we don't sit down until lunch or even after-school. I'm not saying don't tip anybody in service. I have a local restaurant I happily tip 25% to, because they are local, small, and pleasant. I don't feel the need to do that for a national chain that is on par. My only point is, that it is a weak argument and poor foresight to start parsing out arbitrary physical conditions for tiping.

Janelle Collard
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that the drive-thru employees know what you look like, don't expect good service any more. Just sayin'...

Daman dan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All they do is hand you a cup? I'm not totally into this tipping culture either but has she ever actually been inside a Starbucks before? That place can get super crazy! I usually give a tip simply out of admiration for dealing with all that and not messing up my order.

norabest321
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think employers are just going to eat the $ loss and pay their employees more so people can feel free not to tip? You're still going to pay that 20% tip bc those employers are just going to build that 20% into the prices you pay and keep it for themselves. So you can make someone's day at Starbucks a little better by giving them one measly dollar for their hard work while making you a coffee with half and half soy mocha matcha green cinnamon extra fat free whipped cream whatever. Bc, can YOU make that at home? Could you even figure out HOW to make that kind of coffee drink even if you had all the ingredients and machinery? Jeeze people, it's a dollar or two. At the least it might put a smile on someone's face and make them feel a lil bit better about the job they are doing. This also makes them feel more comfortable around their customers therefore they might be nicer and even more helpful to the people after you.

Sensitive_panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a shitshow! Companies which are earning ungodly amount of money are not paying liveable wages to their employees whereas customers, who are already paying for the product are also expected to tip a decent amount. The whole idea is absurd!

ConstantlyJon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. So, hear me out. This lady is being all angry about the tipping screens at the window at starbucks as if the drive thru workers are the ones who put it there. Starbucks put it there. You don't need to bash the person working for peanuts. Bash the business who put the tip screen there in the first place. They don't program the credit card machine for you. They're just doing their jobs. Blame the corporate overlords, not the underpaid pleebs.

LovingKnuckle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, having owned bars in my life I have a couple points. First - yes tipping culture can be out of hand. If you want to see an interesting discussion about it watch Reservoir Dogs. Second - please don’t try to use the “livable wage” argument, cuz just don’t. Third - no matter what there is a little more effort than “handing a cup” for those involved. Not even saying that she should or shouldn’t tip, just making the point that it depends. Fourth - as an anecdote the most “Karen”, I hate using the word too but for now you will understand, 99% of the time they were definitely “in the industry before.” Much more often in the industry you meet people who know what servers and bartenders are dealing with and they are empathetic. But the majority of people who really bittch drop the “I used to be in the industry.”

Sunny Day
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't tip at the drive thru, unless it's Christmas Day or Eve. Then I'll shove a $20 in the jar. I do tip 25-50% for in restaurant service, or even bring-to-car carryout. Sometimes it's nice to make someone's day.

Scott T Brynildsen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's fun reading the comments from people who have the money to just round up, because you're the same a******s who pitch a fit like a toddler if you don't get enough ice. It's not about tipping, because it's clear most of you just don't give a s**t, it's about worth. If you have zero change and see a pregnant employee sweating away pumping out shots for your entire office's order, your tune changes because you've established worth. Botox Barbie needs to take a step back and stop painting with a huge brush, because servers we run food through a busy restaurant with a smile and are on their feet all day so they can feed their family, absolutely deserve a tip. Just round up and move on. Stop making such a huge deal out of little things!

Chairman Miaow
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Not acceptable in my book. It's ok to not tip in a no tips culture (such as China or Japan) or tips optional culture (like the UK and other European countries). But in the US these people aren't getting a proper wage, this won't change the system, it'll just make it harder for the people working in coffee shops etc.

Alex Martin
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Restaurant servers are paid a reduced wage with the understanding they will be getting tips. If you are eating in a table service restaurant in the US, you 100% should pay a tip. Starbucks starting pay is $15/hr. They are paid a very reasonable starting wage and asking customers who are already funding this wage to then tip is superfluous and is very much optional. Baristas are getting paid a full wage to make and counter serve coffee. https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-commits-one-billion-in-fy2022-investments-to-uplift-partners-employees-and-the-store-experience/

Asriel Dreemurr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem here lies in a society that allows businesses to set wages at absurdly low levels and then excuse it by making the customers pay the difference through tips. Starbucks can afford to pay their workers properly, it’s just that they don’t want to.

Ivo H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! That's why I cannot agree with all the "just press 0 and move on" people in comments. This is problem that needs to be addressed and culture that needs to be stopped. Everyone should be paid living wage and tips should be form of appreciation. The problem are companies and corporations alone and servers/baristas complains should be the loudest.

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Rob Jager
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so when i buy a pack of coffee at the supermarket, i've to tip the employees for putting it on the shelves??

Becky Samuel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, but it doesn't matter that the workers who grew the coffee get paid per day what the barista gets paid an hour because we can't see them and they're not 'Muricans. (Obviously /s)

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GenericPanda09
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's face it, it's the US that is driving this whole tipping 'culture'....... You just don't see it to the same degree as anywhere else you go around the world. They've brainwashed enough low-paid employees and their entire culture that it's the customer's job to make up for s****y wages and not the employer. How it works in most of the rest of the world is if a server goes above and beyond in their service.. something more than their basic job description, then you tip. If they don't and just do the minimum you'd expect and you're in a place with 'service included' on the prices.. you don't. Then you get (usually from waiting staff people) 'oh you're so cheap and mean'...... cause it's far easier for them to say that about customers than it is for them to have the balls to say it to their bosses faces and actually fight for positive change. I lived in the US for a while... and Jeezus H Christ.. everyone always seemed to be either outright holding their hand out for something extra on top of the bill or suddenly come on with a coughing fit if you just said 'cheers... bye now'. Like a bellhop.... If I turned up with a half a dozen cases then yeah dude.. you deserve something a bit extra to your wages for steering a trolley into a lift and following me up..... but one bag that you aggressively took off me in the lobby despite me saying 'no it's ok.. i got this'? No... just no....... that's just basic job description to take a bag to someone's room.

JessG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you, BUT---a server would get nowhere but fired for them to "...have the balls to say it to their bosses faces" which would do absolutely nothing because it isn't their boss's decision. Furthermore, if all the employees decide to strike because of the c**p wages, you better believe it wouldn't matter because they would have absolutely no problem finding an entirely new staff that WILL work, regardless of the wages. Nothing will change unless EVERYONE is on the same page, but that will NEVER happen, unfortunately, because there's always someone desperate for work

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guyx23
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tips are a courtesy for great service, not an obligation. Staff wages should be included in the price and covered fully by employers, it's not up to customers.

Gergely Kiss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

> But others challenged her video, pointing out how hard Starbucks baristas work and saying that all service industry employees deserve to be paid well The entire tipping culture needs to be changed. People should be paid living wages and not rely on customer generosity to be able to pay their bills.

CatWoman312
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t tip when I order to go orders either for basically the same reason. I’m so tired of tipping culture! We have to overpay for literally eggs along with everything else so why can’t these rich fûcks just pay their fûcking employees and stop putting it on the patron?!?!?

LazyPandaTiredPanda.Z.Z.Z.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Starbucks works stand four to six hours a day." That's cute. I stand on concrete floors 10 to 11 hours a day. I don't expect a tip for having to stand up. I have about 20 other things to do and I am sure a barista does too- strange the tik tokker chose to stress the standing up part as a condition for tips

JFKPaint
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very soon they will all be replaced by an AI robot. Then, no worries about tipping. Why do you think Starbucks is so anti Union?

CGZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. In NYC both Starbucks and Trader Joe's have closed locations when they had employees trying to unionize. LOL!

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Sto Cristian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's up with people saying how hard it is to make coffee or carry a few dishes to tables. What's these people's expectations of an easy job? Just sit and say hello to everyone that comes in? They take the job then spend the whole time complaining about how hard it is and how little they're paid to guilt trip the clients into giving them more for doing the bare minimum. Don't like it? Do something else, there's a ton of demand and everyone is missing employees

PigSquatch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This tipping s**t is getting stupid. The Subway near me has a tip jar and asks if you use a card now. The flipping gas station near me has a tip jar. The local bar where the employees make 15-20 an hour, and yes that's bar tenders as well wants tips. When does enough become enough?

CGZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We tip for exceptional attitude, attention and service. For many years I didn't tip my superintendent at Xmas time. My agreement is with the landlord. If my plumbing breaks that's between the LL and me. I don't care if he calls in a plumber or hires a guy to live onsite and fix the plumbing. I don't care if he brings his toolbox on his bicycle to fix it himself. If the LL wants to pay the super to do it, go for it. Now I tip my super, because when I spent the night at the hospital I called the super to feed my cat. Good to have someone I can call. That's tippable service.

Debs Bee
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US, Starbucks hourly rate starts at $15 for serving coffee. Employees don't deserve a tip. Compare their wages to restaurant servers, whose hourly rate is a couple of dollars, who NEED tips to even come close to $15 an hour.

Praecordia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

15$ dollars is not a livable wage. That’s 28k a year in income. I don’t know who could live off of that that is not living with their parents. That being said I don’t think that we should tip Starbucks employee’s not because they don’t deserve it or don’t work hard because I know they do. Starbucks get’s busy and they don't stop moving much like a server or bartender. I just think their employer need’s to pay them more especially when they are charing 7$ a cup. Living wage is 22$. That’s what they should make not 15$.

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ERIKA H.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree that the Starbucks "only hand someone a cup", they make the coffee too and have to be super fast. but the expectation to tip everyone now is unreasonable. I can't tip every single person for every purchase I make (especially with how crazy prices are). Service workers need to get mad at their employers and stop getting mad at the consumer - this is coming from a former service worker btw.

TheKitKatLizard
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Average Starbucks Barista hourly pay in California is approximately $16.50, which is 29% above the national average. Salary information comes from 2,120 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months." "The common salary of a Starbucks barista in New York ranges from $16.05 per hour to $23 per hour." ... that's more than most servers with tips already included. If the coffee is already $8, you'd think the service of low quality garbage being assembled for you would already be included in the price.

David
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not tip for a drive through cup of coffee. (**) I feel the "tip" is already built into the ridiculous price. I live in semi-rural area of Washington state. Prices sort of reasonable compared to some parts of the USA. Local brand 16 ounce mocha is over $6. My friend gets one most Saturdays. I grind my beans/make espresso at home and it costs me pennies. There is very little time or effort involved. I understand business overhead but the markup is already HUGE so there should be enough to pay employees and bills. (** I do rarely tip. Like the poor lady working solo on a dead night shift and I was grateful they were open that late.) I don't hate employees (and I do tip in restaurants), I just feel the USA needs to get its S..T together regarding the whole tipping thing. I have been to many countries where tipping was not a thing.

Pug Pug
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I over tip, however, I feel we should not tip at all. The fact that a job is legally allowed to not pay a living wage because of tipping is b******t. Just pay people living wages for the time they work, and lets all agree to no longer tip unless you want to

JammaCoast2Coast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I fully agree that tipping culture needs to end - being that employers/multi-million/billion dollar companies can afford to pay their employees a working wage...until that happens, people need to remember that your tips don't go to one singular person in food industry establishments. You aren't obligated to tip, but you also know that the folks that are working in those jobs heavily rely on the kindness of patrons to tip so they can pay their bills and get food on their tables. A little compassion can go a long way.

Michelle Ramirez
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Greed culture by big business! I dont like the automated way either, it's not like the cashier cant see if you did it didn't leave a tip! I'm tired of these big companies expecting the consumer to pay for their employees! Starbucks is a treat for me, so I dont take lightly the cost, so now CV my treat time is ruined by the guilt of addiding a tip when I shouldnt be asked for one, you already receive a salary. Many other businesses dont require a tip for their employees to do their job either. MHO and I'm going to stop giving one...everyone should until businesses step us!

DC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with the beginning of your article, "Even if you don’t live in the United States, you’re likely familiar with the tipping culture." Tipping culture pretty much only exist in US or North America. I immigrated from Asia to US, and I had to learn about tipping (except under pillows at hotels) here in the States. I also traveled to other parts of the world and almost no other countries I visited so far has the same tipping culture we do here in US. The service industry I used to work for flat out said they don't give pay raise (1 month and 5, 10 years employees gets the same hourly wages) because their employees can get paid with the difference from their tips. The US tipping culture is just simply odd to me. I don't have problems with tipping and with extra when the service is above and beyond. But actually asking for more is just entitled, ungrateful and greedy.

Maggie Plummer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"be on their feet for 4-8 hours at a time, they have to deal with demanding and rude customers who are in a hurry, it can be extremely stressful handling huge rushes of customers." This seems like a really dangerous game to play. If we're going on the physical toll being a reason for tips, then should we tip construction workers whenever we use a building? (In my state the average construction worker only out earns one at Starbucks by about a dollar) Should I or my fellow teachers expect parents to tip us on days where we don't sit down until lunch or even after-school. I'm not saying don't tip anybody in service. I have a local restaurant I happily tip 25% to, because they are local, small, and pleasant. I don't feel the need to do that for a national chain that is on par. My only point is, that it is a weak argument and poor foresight to start parsing out arbitrary physical conditions for tiping.

Janelle Collard
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that the drive-thru employees know what you look like, don't expect good service any more. Just sayin'...

Daman dan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All they do is hand you a cup? I'm not totally into this tipping culture either but has she ever actually been inside a Starbucks before? That place can get super crazy! I usually give a tip simply out of admiration for dealing with all that and not messing up my order.

norabest321
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think employers are just going to eat the $ loss and pay their employees more so people can feel free not to tip? You're still going to pay that 20% tip bc those employers are just going to build that 20% into the prices you pay and keep it for themselves. So you can make someone's day at Starbucks a little better by giving them one measly dollar for their hard work while making you a coffee with half and half soy mocha matcha green cinnamon extra fat free whipped cream whatever. Bc, can YOU make that at home? Could you even figure out HOW to make that kind of coffee drink even if you had all the ingredients and machinery? Jeeze people, it's a dollar or two. At the least it might put a smile on someone's face and make them feel a lil bit better about the job they are doing. This also makes them feel more comfortable around their customers therefore they might be nicer and even more helpful to the people after you.

Sensitive_panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a shitshow! Companies which are earning ungodly amount of money are not paying liveable wages to their employees whereas customers, who are already paying for the product are also expected to tip a decent amount. The whole idea is absurd!

ConstantlyJon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. So, hear me out. This lady is being all angry about the tipping screens at the window at starbucks as if the drive thru workers are the ones who put it there. Starbucks put it there. You don't need to bash the person working for peanuts. Bash the business who put the tip screen there in the first place. They don't program the credit card machine for you. They're just doing their jobs. Blame the corporate overlords, not the underpaid pleebs.

LovingKnuckle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, having owned bars in my life I have a couple points. First - yes tipping culture can be out of hand. If you want to see an interesting discussion about it watch Reservoir Dogs. Second - please don’t try to use the “livable wage” argument, cuz just don’t. Third - no matter what there is a little more effort than “handing a cup” for those involved. Not even saying that she should or shouldn’t tip, just making the point that it depends. Fourth - as an anecdote the most “Karen”, I hate using the word too but for now you will understand, 99% of the time they were definitely “in the industry before.” Much more often in the industry you meet people who know what servers and bartenders are dealing with and they are empathetic. But the majority of people who really bittch drop the “I used to be in the industry.”

Sunny Day
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't tip at the drive thru, unless it's Christmas Day or Eve. Then I'll shove a $20 in the jar. I do tip 25-50% for in restaurant service, or even bring-to-car carryout. Sometimes it's nice to make someone's day.

Scott T Brynildsen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's fun reading the comments from people who have the money to just round up, because you're the same a******s who pitch a fit like a toddler if you don't get enough ice. It's not about tipping, because it's clear most of you just don't give a s**t, it's about worth. If you have zero change and see a pregnant employee sweating away pumping out shots for your entire office's order, your tune changes because you've established worth. Botox Barbie needs to take a step back and stop painting with a huge brush, because servers we run food through a busy restaurant with a smile and are on their feet all day so they can feed their family, absolutely deserve a tip. Just round up and move on. Stop making such a huge deal out of little things!

Chairman Miaow
Community Member
1 year ago

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Not acceptable in my book. It's ok to not tip in a no tips culture (such as China or Japan) or tips optional culture (like the UK and other European countries). But in the US these people aren't getting a proper wage, this won't change the system, it'll just make it harder for the people working in coffee shops etc.

Alex Martin
Community Member
1 year ago

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Restaurant servers are paid a reduced wage with the understanding they will be getting tips. If you are eating in a table service restaurant in the US, you 100% should pay a tip. Starbucks starting pay is $15/hr. They are paid a very reasonable starting wage and asking customers who are already funding this wage to then tip is superfluous and is very much optional. Baristas are getting paid a full wage to make and counter serve coffee. https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-commits-one-billion-in-fy2022-investments-to-uplift-partners-employees-and-the-store-experience/

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