# How Much Should You Tip a Barista? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 21, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887 "2003-09-21T01:02:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/1 "2003-09-21T01:02:49Z")
What’s considered proper? Is it like tipping at a restaurant (i.e., around 15% to 20% of your bill)? Is it at least $1 no matter what you order? Also, should you tip your barista each time? ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/2 "2003-09-21T01:44:30Z")
I have to confess my ignorance here and beg enlightenment: What’s a “barista?” A bartender of the female persuasion? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/3 "2003-09-21T02:25:53Z")
A barista is the new, fancy word word someone who operates an espresso machine. I think it’s sort of like the term “associate” for a store employee–it’s designed to make it sound like the management really values your services, even though they’re paying you minimum wage. As for tipping them, i don’t use “baristas” very often because i don’t drink coffee. When i do have occasion to need their services, i usually put the loose change in the tip jar. So, if my hot chocolate is $2.63 with tax, i’ll drop 37c in the tip jar. I don’t know if this makes me cheap or not. In restaurants i always tip around 20%, and in bars usually about a buck a drink (sometimes less if i’m buying a big round). ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/4 "2003-09-21T08:11:25Z")
I always throw 'em a buck or two. I don’t think there’s a standard for it; they make minimum wage or more. I always contribute to their tip jar b/c I used to know one who said they always used it to buy beer after work. And if I throw 'em a buck or two, maybe they won’t have to buy The Milwaukee Beast or something. Nobody should drink crappy beer. Oh, and if I’m a regular at a particular coffee shop–and at the present point, I’m known at two of 'em–I tip every time I go in there. It’s gotten to the point where I get free coffee and/or pastries. I tip 'em anyway, on the coffee I didn’t pay for, and they get frustrated b/c they’re trying to “hook me up.” And I laugh, and keep tipping them. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, I drink drip coffee. None of those “blended coffee beverages” that are a huge pain in the ass. So I think it’s particularly appreciated b/c anybody can pour a cup of freakin’ drip coffee. And I doubt most people who do order the pain-in-the-ass frappuccinos and the double-nonfat-caramel-whatever-the-hell-macchiatos tip. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/5 "2003-09-21T09:40:30Z")
Tipping? TIPPING? For a lousy coffee? Are you kidding me? I cannot get around the Merkin custom of tipping. Either the proprieter pays his staff decent wages (and charges his customers accordingly) or not. If my latte costs 2.50, then that is what I pay. I do NOT pay tips for coffee. I rarely pay tips for a restaurant meal (unless the service is exemplary enough or I am pissed enough to offer some extra to the bill). I just don’t get it. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Morelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/6 "2003-09-21T14:59:25Z")
In our Borders, we have a cafe. I was getting trained to work in it last wek. Someone tried to tip, and was shocked when I said we don’t accept tips, it’s not allowed. She really wanted to tip me. I don’t understand that. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/7 "2003-09-21T15:12:36Z")
I don’t drink coffee but isn’t this akin to the tip cup at the Dunkin’ Donuts? I mean what do they actually do to deserve the tip? It’s not like they are a wait person. They don’t bring it out to you. They stay behind the counter and work the machines. What do they deserve a tip for? ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/8 "2003-09-21T15:55:17Z")
I’m an excellent tipper for people who are supposed to get tips. That mostly means servers and bartenders who are getting paid $2.63 an hour and very likely have no benefits, no health plan, no paid vacation or sick days, no guarantee of shifts. Tip a Starbucks employee for making me an espresso? NEVER. Audrey, you must be their most favorite customer ever! You end up paying ~$2.80-$3.80 for a cup of drip coffee - not even something they have to _make_ - man oh man I wish I had you for a customer when I was waiting tables. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/9 "2003-09-21T16:10:28Z")
Yeah, I tip waitstaff because they make 2.63 an hour and their livelihood is depending on tips. The individuals who work at Starbucks (for example) make above minimum wage so I don’t tip. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/10 "2003-09-22T13:38:19Z")
**mhendo** has the right idea. Change is plenty, and since the people there do make minimum wage or better, they aren’t going to spit in your coffee if you stiff them. ---
**Author:** ![wireless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@wireless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wireless)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/11 "2003-09-23T03:40:51Z")
I consider myself a decent tipper for waitstaff, bartenders and the like - those making below minimum wage and dependent on tips. I don’t generally tip for “stand behind a counter and hand it to me” service like at Dunkin’ Donuts or the water ice stand or the million other places where wages may be low-ish but legal, and the service task is simple and quickly completed (but where tip jars seem to be becoming ubiquitous). The exceptions are: 1. my regular morning coffee/bagel stop where they know me and we “chat” 2. if I make a slightly unusual request: “extra extra 2% milk”, etc. In these cases, I’ll put the balance of my change (.25 - .50) in the jar. I will add that my BF is an extremely generous tipper (30%+ in restaurants, $1 for the coffee) and while I think this might be a little excessive, it’s his money _and_ I have seen it produce “benefits”. ---
**Author:** ![Titan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Titan2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Titan2)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/12 "2003-09-23T05:47:39Z")
Produce benefits at a Starbucks?What particular talent is needed to make those coffee milkshakes? Are these “baristas” considered a step up from the 7/11 clerks that make a comparable cup of joe in their thermos jugs?Their coffee (Starbucks regular thermos blend) sure isn’t. Any local coffee shop I frequent for meals and/or a cuppa with a danish or something I tip.The others only stand there and collect my money for frequenting the closest convenience outlet to get a fix .Their bosses should be able to make it up on the outrageous prices they charge for nothing better than average products. ---
**Author:** ![Kieras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@Kieras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kieras)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/13 "2003-09-24T01:39:32Z")
I always tip the when I get a coffee. I usually drop a buck or two in the tip jar. $2.63 and hour!!?? That’s horrible. I see where some people have compared a waitress making 2.63 and a barista making minimum wage. I am not sure where this is at but thats horrible! I live in Oregon and I know people from both positions. They make the same… Minimum wage + Tips. Which is far less than alot of people so I have no problem with dropping the occasional buck to brighten someones day. ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/14 "2003-09-24T04:56:04Z")
I usually tip 50 cents to a buck, which I was always happy with when I was a barista. A buck is good for two drinks. Lots of people don’t tip, but tips are very much appreciated on a minimum wage. I’ve had people scoff at tipping for a latte, but it’s just as involved as a mixed drink, and people routinely tip a buck or so per drink. ---
**Author:** ![leenmi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f1d935/32.png) [@leenmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leenmi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/15 "2003-09-24T10:04:10Z")
If the change is more than $.70, I tip the change. Otherwise, I tip a buck. Normally, I don’t tip counter help. But making espresso drinks sucks. It’s more solidarity than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/16 "2003-09-24T12:03:24Z")
It all depends. If the barista was actually helpful and didn’t cop an attitude because I didn’t understand the slang, I’ll tip the change or at least half a buck. I’ve had some give me the Evil Eye because I am not privy to the lingo. Now, since I’ve never asked for a lot of explanations when there’s a line behind me, I don’t feel that I deserve that look. I also feel that the menu should provide explanations, and that it should be written in a font large enough that one can read it at a distance of greater than two feet. If I get more service, say a helpful suggestion, I’ll tip more. This is more or less moot, though, because I’ve gotten caffeinated drinks way too often, and I ALWAYS ask for decaf. If one type of decaf is not available, TELL me, and I’ll figure out something else. But serving me a caffeinated drink and telling me it’s decaf is NOT acceptable. In the case of Starbucks, I also don’t like the roast. It doesn’t just taste like a dark roast to me, it tastes burned. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/17 "2003-09-24T12:13:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MLS \* > \*\*I have to confess my ignorance here and beg enlightenment: What’s a “barista?” A bartender of the female persuasion? \*\* Isn’t it some kind of English lawyer? 😕😉 ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/18 "2003-09-24T12:55:09Z")
I do not tip when I get coffee from Charbucks. I don’t plan to start, either. I’m an _excellent_ tipper when I dine in restaurants, visit the salon or have food delivered to my house. I will not start tipping someone for holding my cup under a spout while they pull a lever to release hot liquid into it. _Ever._ ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/19 "2003-09-24T13:33:30Z")
I don’t believe they’re doing anything more difficult than what I see behind the counter at McDonalds. They get paid more than minimum wage, so that’s their pay. Once they get put in the same work category as waitstaff and bartenders, then I’ll tip. Oh, and I’d also expect the cost of the coffee to drop too, since the hourly wages will go down so much. ---
**Author:** ![blanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@blanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blanx)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887/20 "2003-09-24T13:34:50Z")
Juanita Tech is my hero. Bring me eats on a plate, and you will be handsomely rewarded. Pour me a large coffee, and I say thank you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-you-tip-a-barista/202887.md?page=2)