Re: On tipping for coffee

On 3/13/2025 2:55 PM, Lenona wrote:

Q: I bought a drink at a coffee shop that came to $4.22 with tax. I was
presented with three tip options: $1, $2 or $3 — 25%, 50% or 75%,
respectively.
 Since there weren’t any seats left in the shop, and therefore I was
taking my coffee to go (thus reducing the need to clean off a table or
otherwise deal with my presence in the store), I tipped $1 (25%).
 The barista glared at me as though I’d insulted her, and looked like
she’d been slapped in the face.
 What am I missing? I realize coffee shop workers aren’t rich, but my job
doesn’t pay extravagant wages, either. I tip more when I consume my
drink in the shop, or when I pose some kind of inconvenience to the
staff.
 

What you're missing is people expect TIPS for no good reason.
These people are paid a minimum wage.  They earn more than tipped wage workers so they have no reason to expect you to tip them for handing you a coffee.  But many POS (Point of Sale) systems these days build in tip amounts at checkout.  You can always decline.  Do you really care if the barista glared at you?  All she did was push a button on a machine, fill a cup and hand you a coffee.  She wasn't out there harvesting the coffee beans.
It's also ridiculous to expect to be charged tips at automatic kiosks where there is not a person actually doing anything to provide service, too, but it happens.  Guess what?  Just because it appears on the screen at checkout doesn't mean you have to select an amount and tip a non-existent person.  Or a person who merely handed you a coffee.
Jill