When I was visiting my friend Emily in Colorado, I noticed something interesting. I am expected to tip – not just waitresses but also at Baskin Robbins, Starbucks, and the Gap. I was under the impression that they were all paid the same low wages I am – and no one tips me for anything that I do.
I find tipping at Starbucks to be the most absurd thing in the world. First, making a coffee is not the art form they purport it to be. I can do those same things in my own kitchen – I just lack the ingredients. If I kept them on hand, I would be as big as a house. However, Starbucks employees are paid minimum wage and have the option of Health Insurance. What kind of socialist dream world is this where the common worker gets such luxuries at Health Insurance – which as a teacher I am set to lose this year – and then expect tips? The irony of this is that I knew a Barista who complained about not getting tipped but did not tip waitresses when we would go out to eat. This ended our friendship. I cannot abide people who abuse the other proletarians - especially since they actually work for tips.
Tipping at the Gap? I thought it was a take-a-penny, leave-a-penny, WTF-costs-a-penny-at-the-Gap. If you are in sales and not on commission, you need a new job. I am not tipping you for getting me the right size (super fatty) from the back of the store.
However, this all being said, I would tip you if you put out a Pepsi can that read, “Save Ferris.” But that is more a sign of my age than anything else.
In other news, I posted to my blog - urban oasis about a funny letter I received from Howard Dean, MD.
Tipping at the Gap? WTF?
Posted by: Summer Gale | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 02:06 PM
Are you emaciated now, Christopher? I mostly make my mochas at home on my espresso machine--but I am on a limit. (ONE per day) Otherwise, all heck could break loose. Margaret on a caffeine high is not a pretty sight. I have never heard of tipping in a store and would never think of doing so. I do tip at Starbucks--whatever change is left over usually. I don't like change, so it's kind of self-serving too.
Posted by: Margaret | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 02:14 PM
I did the 18 question version and ended up being HITLER!
Posted by: Margaret | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 02:16 PM
Maybe when school starts up again in the Fall, you should put a tip jar up in the front of the room.
No, wait. That's a bad idea. The students would probably just pee in it.
Posted by: saru-san | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 02:17 PM
I'm BILL CLINTON. Read it and weep! Hahahaha!
Also, tipping at the Gap is the most ludicrous bullcrap I have ever heard. Like, ever, ever, ever heard. My God. I do tip at Starbucks, but I think that's a throwback to my bar days. (Er, yesterday?) Gettin' a drink? Tip a dollar. It's just habit now.
Posted by: Colleen | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 03:27 PM
Well, tipping at the Gap is just greedy. I never heard of such a thing. I do leave my leftover change at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, but when my kid was a barista at Barnes and Noble, tip jars were strictly forbidden.
Posted by: purple chai | Monday, 01 August 2005 at 03:44 PM
I will never ever tip at a retail store or any store for that matter for any reason whatsoever. I don't think one should have to tip for a drink that cost $4 and you have to wait in line to order. Same with carry out. I believe in a good tip for servers in a restaurant. I tip the people who tot my luggage, drive me in a cab, and cut my hair. I will tip you if you deliver a pizza to my house. I am outraged about The Gap thing.
Posted by: Little Island | Tuesday, 02 August 2005 at 12:58 AM
You ARE spying on me, Chris. I watched Reservoir Dogs this weekend, so you're post is quite the coincidence, eh? I'm of the argument (much like Mr. Pink) that tipping is a reward, not a right. Someone provides me with either a) service that goes above the their job description, or b) service of high quality, then they get a tip. I find it almost warped that people feel the need to tip just because someone did what they were hired to do. And if someone is at a job where they rely on tips as part of their income, then do something to earn it. I'm not asking for backflips and cartwheels, people. But don't expect the tip as if you were owed it for doing what you're already being paid to do. Yet I contradict myself because I still tip waiters and waitresses as a rule of thumb, unless they were jerks or something. God, I'm a pushover. Or an asshole, depending on one's perspective.
Posted by: John | Tuesday, 02 August 2005 at 03:45 AM
retail, coffee houses, etc. ... tipping? waitresses generally make minimum wage or under, with the assumption that they will be tipped. their wages are the tips, not what they are paid by their employer. sure, i mean, i work retail, and the pay sucks, but damn if i'd expect anyone to tip me. it would be REALLY nice, but i definitely don't expect it.
Posted by: cutething | Tuesday, 02 August 2005 at 07:43 PM
You have to be kidding me!
Posted by: fin | Tuesday, 02 August 2005 at 08:17 PM
I always tipped my teachers before an important exam.
Posted by: Alex Vance | Wednesday, 03 August 2005 at 01:44 AM
Hey, loved your breakdown of the states a few entries back. I'm from New York and moved to TX ten years ago, and yes, they do think it's a separate country. Do you know in the elementary schools they say a Pledge of Alliegence to the Texas flag? And that the state government threw a shitfit until they were allowed to fly the TX flag at the same level as the US flag in front of buildings? These people are nuts...send help. Please.
Tipping at the GAP?
Posted by: Kim | Wednesday, 03 August 2005 at 01:45 PM
someone's read 1984. :)
Posted by: ashley | Wednesday, 03 August 2005 at 02:09 PM
fucking saddaam hussein.
no shit.
Posted by: tiny elvis | Friday, 19 August 2005 at 09:41 PM