I boycott places with tip jars.

The BBQ Pit
21

I also don’t get why anyone would intentionally go out of their way to avoid a place that has a tip jar. Seems rather silly to me.

If you don’t want to put change in the jar, don’t put change in the jar. No one is going to chase you down the street. Chances are, no ones even going to notice.

I’ll put money in tip jars when I’ve got it. If I’m handed back coins I throw 'em in the jar. I worked in food service for a long time, I know how hard those guys work. I’ve waited tables and worked counter jobs in small cafes. Trust me, those counter guys are working just as hard as the waitstaff, sometimes harder and it’s not like they’re going home to their million dollar mansions with those minimum wage paychecks.

I don’t go into tip calculating mode or anything, I usually just take back paper change and leave the coins, unless I’ve got a large or fairly complicated order. Then I’ll tip more.

Honestly though, I’m baffled that anyone would actually refuse to patronize a place that has a jar. It just seems petty. And cheap.

[sub]please note I’m not saying anyone who doesn’t put money in the jar is cheap, that’s a choice totally up to the customer. I’m just saying that refusing to go to a place because you don’t want to part with your change and then blame the place for “guilting” you just by having the jar there is indicative of a pretty cheap person. [/sub]

22

Well, that’s usually true. And usually I don’t mind patronizing a place with a tip jar. Often enough, I’ll toss my change in. But there’s one place with a tip jar I will never enter again, and here’s why:

I stopped by a sub shop one evening on my way home from work. When I came in, there was a woman maybe 60+ years old standing at the counter, her back to the door, talking to the cashier. She never turned toward me as I gave my order to the young woman at the register. I happened to have the exact change, and paid with it. As I turned from the counter to sit at an empty table and wait for my food, the older woman, still with her back to me, picked up the tip jar and shook it.

I ignored her. A few minutes later, the sandwich was ready. As the young woman took it from the maker of it and put the bag on the counter, the older woman, back still to me, picked up the tip jar and SLAMMED it down next to my sandwich. I picked up my order without a word and left, ignoring some comment she tossed at me as I departed.

FUCK YOU BITCH. I don’t give a rat’s ass whether you’re the cashier’s mother, or the sub shop owner, or just some self-appointed arbiter of tipping etiquette. Not only will I never patronize that place again, but I’ve made damned sure that everyone I know who’d be even remotely likely to go there knows what kind of rude shit they might encounter. (Including a waitress friend of mine who said that the woman’s behavior was way out of line.) I hope you like the kind of word of mouth you’ve created.

23

One thing that you might consider asking is where the tips from the tip jar go. Here in Cleveland recently, there was a justifiable outrage about a tip jar situation. (Article here.) [Originally a Plain Dealer article by Connie Schultz.]

It seems the reporter was at a restaurant where there was a tip jar put out at the coat check. The following conversation ensued:

"I pointed to the large tip jar bulging with bills and said to the weary clerk, “Well, at least you get a decent amount of tips for standing here.”

She shook her head and said, “Oh, we don’t get to keep those.”

I thought I misheard her. “What?”

“We don’t keep the tips.”

“Who does?” I asked.

“Management.”

When I asked her how that made her feel, she sighed. “They say they use it to give us a Christmas party.”

The reporter estimated that there was a considerable sum in the jar but when management was confronted, they claimed to only have collected $800 over the course of a year. Another restaurant was found to be doing the same thing. (After the bad publicity caused by the article, both restaurants changed their policies.)

I don’t mind putting my money in a tip jar (especially if there are services perfomed other than just taking money), but it would be nice to know it is actually going to the employees.

24

Oh yeah, that was completely inappropriate, Eddy. That was like skycap who checked my mother and I in for a flight then held out his hand and said in a rude voice “we work for gratuities”, then looked away while keeping his arm outstretched. Demanding a tip is just bad form.

That shouldn’t have any bearing on your opinion of tip jars in general. That’d be like having a rude server one night and refusing to tip ever again because of it.

25

You don’t go nearly far enough, PB. First time you go into a place, and you see it has a tip jar – must be the first time, cause you ain’t going back – put a note in it that says “F–k you, a–holes”. Anyone gives you any lip, punch 'em in the eye.

26

Quite right. As I said, I will toss change in a tip jar when the mood strikes me, or when the counter folk are congenial. One good thing in fact came of this bad experience: I moved my business to another place I hadn’t tried before, and wound up loving their food. Better than the Tip Jar From Hell place! :smiley: The new joint has a tip jar, too, and I often tuck my change in it because the help there are so cheerful and friendly.

I normally tip a good 20 percent in restaurants, having done waitressing in my younger years and appreciating what hard work it is. On very rare occasions I’ve had such bad service that I left little or no tip, but fortunately, these days, I rarely encounter such situations – maybe because I stick to a few local places with service as outstanding as their food. Being an easy-to-serve regular has its benefits. :wink:

27

The skycap is in a bad spot…I imagine he’s had a lot of people NOT tip him, under the impression that he’s getting a fair wage from the airline. What SHOULD he do in this case? I’m somewhat sympathetic to him, because I used to work as a bagger at an Air Force commissary, and our ONLY income was tips. Many people seemed to think that we could make it just fine on about 75 cents an hour, from the way they tipped us. I never said anything after getting tipped a dime or 15 cents for bagging somebody’s monthly shopping, but I was sure tempted.

I have NO sympathy for the woman who shook the tip jar without even looking at the customer, though.

28

Some people just get bothered by the lamest things… :rolleyes:

29

Who’s asking you for spare change? Do they actually outstretch their hand and say, “Alms for the poor?” The tip jar is no more than a receptacle that collects tips. Tips, in this case, being completely optional to the customer. I would think you’d have a harder time with restaurants that automatically add a set gratuity to the bill. What if you didn’t feel your server was worth the percentage they decided on?

Why? These people serving you are actually providing a service to you. I’m offended beyond fucking believe that you can compare them to beggars on the street! Yes, they’re paid for their work, but they’re paid the same whether the service is crappy or exceptional. But some of them try very hard to make your small insignificant act of getting something a pleasant experience.

What rules? There are only tipping guidelines and tipping is optional in most instances. As a matter of fact, there are no hard and fast rules about when not to tip. If someone provides you a service, you can certainly choose to tip them whether they waxed your car or served you a meal or a beer. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be money. I know plenty of people who gives gifts (usually Starbucks Cards or gift certificates) to their postal carrier, kid’s teacher, yard guy, etc. It’s up to you to decide whether the service they provided was so exceptional that you think they’re worth more than what they’re paid and show your appreciation.

And what the hell is so ambiguous about a tip jar? Does it make you feel better to leave it on a table or counter? The same guidelines apply: tipping is optional, you decide how much. You’re just putting it in a different place.

Personally, I’ve waited tables in the past and I currently work at Starbucks. I made a lower hourly wage waiting tables, but generally better tips. At Starbucks, I make much better wages (and awesome bennies), but tips pretty much stink. However, I work much, much harder at Starbucks than I ever did waiting tables. I don’t have bussers or dishwashers or janitors. My coworkers and I not only man the register and prepare drinks, we also clean everything and stock. Constantly. When I work, I have an attention to detail like you wouldn’t believe as far as making sure the store is very clean, comfortable, and well-stocked. It’s hard, physical, demanding work. And our training is pretty extensive by comparison to other similar establishments. This is on top of dealing with some extremely particular people who seem to think we’re just skating by on this oh-so-easy mindless job. Hell, if they think a monkey can do our job, I invite them to come on in and try it. One crack at the bar and they’ll be back on the other side embracing our skills.

To be honest, if you tip me, great! I hope that means that I made your day. And if you made mine, I might tip you back with a free drink or special sample next time. If you don’t tip me, get over it. I do. I will give you the best service regardless. But don’t blame me if I feel a bit underappreciated when I think I’ve earned it, though. Although, you’ll probably never know it. That is, unless you’ve ever heard a very hard dedicated worker complain about demanding cheapskates who don’t understand what tipping is all about. I love my job either way. I can take it or leave it and still love what I do.

And really, if a jar intimidates you, just stay home because you can’t hack it in the real world.

30

Nuh-uh. In full service restaurants, a tip is the expected payment for the waiting service and there’s an easy to calculate standardized percentage. Tip jars are too open. I want to amend my OP. I just realized that that’s my sole problem with them. I don’t want to have that much choice. Such a system that requires so much input from me leaves me open to judgement. With a fixed system, I can’t be judged; as long as I do what I’m supposed to do, no one can complain. Approaching a tip jar is like opening myself to an evaluation when I just want to make a purchase (if I put in too little, I’m cheap; if I put in too much, I’m a sucker).

31

So bitch to your boss, not to me, and not to the customers. Some jobs are tip jobs, yours isn’t. That’s why they let my boss get away with paying me less than minimum wage and make your boss pay mininum wage. Everybody in the service insustry works hard. I work hard, and practice quality control, but I earn my money from the custumers. The boss doesn’t pay me jack. The cooks work hard, and practice quality control, but the custumers don’t pay them, the boss does.

You’re not tipped. You shouldn’t be tipped. You may be underpaid, but you shouldn’t be tipped. You are counter help. Deal with it or get another job.

32

I’ve just gotta ask…

… This thread has been one big WOOOSH, hasn’t it? I mean, you don’t really go into this much angst about the presence of a simple jar do you?

If not, then this thread has opened you up to far worse “evaluations” of your character than a mere hunk of glass will be capable! Get some balls, kid.

33

Were you in New Orleans?

I know that skycaps appreciate getting a tip, but that was the only time someone ever insinuated my bags might not make it on the plane without one. (I usually don’t go to the airport without some change, but on this occasion I had none, and thought I would let the tip slide.) I should have found someone to complain to, but I was running short on time before my flight, and ended up buying a pack of gum to break a $20. When I found the guy again and gave him his tip, explaining I’d had no change, he smiled broadly and said, “Oh, you could have just asked me! I have plenty of change.” :rolleyes:

34

There’s one at our local video store, as well, but they call it the “pizza fund” jar. Doesn’t really bother me on that level. But I’ll go you one better: I bought a shirt in a t-shirt store in the Dulles Hilton Hotel and they had a tip jar next to the register. Couldn’t believe it.

Let’s see…I found the shirt all by myself, brought it to the counter all by myself, you swiped my card and mumbled “$12.95”, and I’m supposed to tip you for that? Don’t think so. Since when do retailers have tip jars? I’d never seen one before, nor have I seen one since.

35

Did you even read the rest of my post? Obviously not.

I am tipped. Very well, by some customers. I am not “counter help”, I am the server, cashier, janitor, sometimes security guard, stock person, quality control person, baker and dishwasher. Just because I work behind a counter witha sneezeguard does not mean I’m raking in the cash, and it doesn’t mean I spend my life sitting on my butt.

Also, while you’re not reading posts, why don’t you not read Cinnamon Girl’s, and get even more ignorant.

36

And what exactly is it that gives you the impression that its expected? Do the waitresses walk around with nametags that say TIP ME OR DIE! under their names? Oh, it must be easier for you to calculate if your sitting down, right? Guess what, you don’t have to be that precise. Besides the tip jar gives you a bit more anonymity in that if you’re a cheap tipper, the waitress will know by the coins you leave on table. And if you walk away without tossing coins you’re unlikely to even be noticed. (Unless you just spent the last ten minutes expecting a complete description of each drink on the menu…)

Lots of things leave you open to judgment including leaving too much/too little tip on the table. So you think 15% is okay? Well, some people think 20% is the new standard. Some people are still stuck on 10%. I only use that as a very loose guideline. To me, 10% sends the message that you weren’t all that, but to some older people tipping 10% says, all gushy, you’re the cat’s meow!

Hell, SO and I have been known to tip 40% for incredibly awesome experiences. At a bar, when I tip I always leave bills–no coinage–so one beer might net a bartender well over 40%. And all s/he did was pop off the top of a bottle. If s/he’s great, I’ll tip every round; if just okay, I’ll tip only after the 2nd or 3rd round. I’ve had no complaints so far.

How about this judgment? If you avoid places simply because there’s a tip jar, you’re an idiot.

37

I have worked a few tipped profesions, and I tip quite well. I only tip for services that I deem worthy of a tip, and handing me the burger behind you isn’t worthy of a tip. I think it sets a bad precedent to tip into these tips jars, it just encourages the guy at the video store to put up a jar. Besides if I get really good service and do drop in some coin, then I’ll feel a bit more obligated to do so the next time, even when the service is mediocre.

Don’t avoid the places with tip jars, just avoid the tip jars.

38

Oh, I totally agree. I’m a compulsive tipper and I actually never knew you were supposed to tip skycaps. I felt like an idiot. Thing was, it wasn’t the fact that he let us know (although putting up a sign or something would’ve been a less akward way of informing ones customers) it was the way he did it, you know? He had that you’re-supposed-to-give-me-money-now-you-stupid-cheap-bastard tone of voice. It was totally uncalled for. I’m still pissed at my mom for giving him money after that. You don’t act rude and insulting towards a person when you’re asking them for money.

pizzabrat, anyone ever told you you’re just a tad bit neurotic? As someone else pointed out, if you get this angsty over a tip jar, you’ve got worse problems than having to avoid places with those ominous, judgemental, evil jars. And I thought I worried too much about what other people thought of me! I think you need to freaking relax, and take some responsibility for your own neurosis. The phenomenon of tip jars was not put into motion in order to spin you into a tornado of judgment and self-doubt, I assure you. It’s just a way for people to show appreciation for exceptionally good service in a more effective way than just a smile and thank you, when they would otherwise be unable to do so.

There’s no evil plot intented, I’m sure.

39

If you are so intimidated by a tip jar that you limit yourself to places that don’t have them then so be it. Boo hoo…you’re just one idiot in a world of tippers. You are not making a difference by not going there. In fact, If you are that lame then places with tip jars are probably better off without your business.

Also, if walking by and avoiding an indigent who needs a handout makes you feel uncomfortable then maybe you should pull the ripcord on your tight ass and hand them some spare change. It’s a feel good thing that only people with giving hearts would understand.
But then again maybe you made your way up the corporate ladder so you wouldn’t have to associate yourself with lower lifeforms eh?..Fuck you!
I’m glad a pretentious tight ass like yourself will be so limited as to not patronize the types of places I do. I’d hate to have that kind of familiarity.

40

Something just came to mind…

We have a regular customer who’s a very nice guy and generous. But he doesn’t seem to care for the tip jar. Regardless of who’s making his drink, he always leaves a nice tip at the hand-off plane (the counter where you pick up your drink). I guess he figures that the barista who makes his drink deserves the tip instead of sharing it. I’m okay with that. I just drop it in the tip jar since we share our tips. But if the barista wants to keep the tip that was directly given to them, I’m okay with that, too. It’s fair to the barista and true to the customer’s intent.

Another of our regulars is a good tipper, but when a long-time barista left recently, she gave him a “We’ll Miss You” card with a significant sum of cash inside as a thank you. Another time, she financially helped out another partner who was having some severe financial difficulties. She doesn’t bring attention to herself and I’m sure prefers to keep it on the DL, but to those she’s shared her generosity with, she’s the epitome of grace and compassion.

I once had another regular customer who came in on a daily basis and rarely ever tipped (there’s passing notice when working at the register, particularly since her drink was complicated) but she was always pretty friendly. One day she dropped a ten (or twenty) in the jar, thanking us and saying she wanted to make up for not tipping. Nice and appreciated, but I can’t say her service was any different after that because she was already pretty happy to begin with.

If either of these stopped tipping, but didn’t reflect any unhappiness with the service, I’d probably just assume they had other needs that required reprioritizing their spending. I do not believe at all that they are obligated to continue the trend.

Just don’t let the people who judge you affect the people who don’t. We’re not all looking for handouts.

BTW, as I mentioned in another thread, the IRS doesn’t care whether employees make less than/over minimum wage when it comes to tips. If tipping is done at all, employees may have taxes deducted from imputed tip income whether they get it or not. Perhaps your beef then should be with the IRS.