# I don't tip baristas. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 8, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065 "2005-08-08T03:48:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065/21 "2005-08-08T13:52:41Z")
Let me put it this way. If I walk up to a counter to place an order, often after standing in line several minutes, then walk over to a second counter, wait a few more minutes, then pick up my order, no one is getting a tip. Whether I’m getting a Half Caff No Whip Non Fat Venti Mocha from a “barrista” or a bacon burger with cheese tater tots from a cashier is immaterial. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065/22 "2005-08-08T14:15:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The term most people use is “clerks.” Whiskey tango foxtrot, good buddy. Most people use “clerks” for baristas? > [@](#): > > Working in a coffee joint is about as hard as working in a convenience store and about as professional and I don’t tip them, either. Convenience store clerks don’t give you free drinks, whereas baristas do. Well, they give _me_ free drinks. I imagine it’s because I tip. It sure as hell can’t be for my looks. ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065/23 "2005-08-08T14:22:27Z")
I used to be a “barista,” although at my non-Starbucks place of work, we sure as hell didn’t use that name to describe ourselves. I often said that a sub-par monkey could have done my job. Then I went to a Starbucks, and found that they do _even_ less than I did! Want a shot of espresso? Sure! Just push this button! At least we had to grind the espresso beans and then tamp it just right to get the perfect 0 shot. Having said that, I never though I deserved a tip from anybody (except for the stupid people coming in and ordering dry soy capps), but of course I appreciated it. Most people dropped their change in. One guy actually had the balls to take from my tip jar to buy a candy for his kid, just because he didn’t want to break his $10. Bastard. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065/24 "2005-08-08T14:42:19Z")
I don’t go to coffee houses regularly, and when I do I only get coffee. I’m not tipping for pulling a lever and filling a cup with coffee. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065/25 "2005-08-08T15:22:23Z")
I tip baristi the same way I got tipped when I was working at DQ: change, or a little extra if something special went on. The range of labour is about the same, too: some orders you pull a lever and stand there for ten seconds with a comical expression; others require a balletic, high-speed circuit of five or six different machines that cost more than you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-tip-baristas/316065.md?page=1)