# Would you ignore the tip jar in these circumstances? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 2, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028 "2012-07-02T20:19:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Clark\_Cello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Clark\_Cello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_Cello)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/81 "2012-07-04T01:46:31Z")
> [@denquixote](#): > > It certainly would be nice if everyone made a decent wage but the fact is, they don’t. How extraordinarily selfish, nasty and self-righteous one must be to ignore the tip jar. Surely if you get bad service you need not leave anything. But dropping your change in the jar means absolutely nothing to you and could enable someone else to work one job instead of two, attend school, provide food for children etc. Would you rather leave your change or pay to have one of them incarcerated? or to pay additional taxes for ADC? Were you absent the day they discussed sharing in kindergarten? How can you be proud of being cheap? I very often leave tips in tip jars, but this post makes me want to stop. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/82 "2012-07-04T01:48:10Z")
As someone who earned a very nice income as a server for 25+ yrs I just want to say to all you righteous people who don’t feel to tip. Don’t stress about it. Your server doesn’t care if you’re of that mind. It’s not worth them getting their panties in a twist about. People with such opinions are indeed, not the norm. In a server’s world, they don’t really matter until they start stiffing people on huge bills. Because the numbers always make them disappear, undertipped here, over tipped there. A good server, is making good money because they are pleasing people. That will always give them the leeway to shrug off the ‘I don’t tip over a dollar, I don’t tip on principle, I have a problem with tipping’ cheapies. Everyday and night. I almost hate breaking it to the people all panty twisted about it, righteously decrying it as unfair with true passion. I can see they are really invested, but there really isn’t any need to be. A good server’s really not. It annoys, but little else. But my experience has been that those of the righteous camp seem a little deaf to the news that no one really cares. They just gotta tell you why they don’t tip, they just await the whole world jumping on board with them once they explain it, again. I shake my head whenever I hear them start. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/83 "2012-07-04T02:42:13Z")
**elbows** , are we reading the same thread? The only one who’s been righteous enough in tone to attract my notice is you, to be honest. Which posts are you talking about? I’m not sure how 50+ variations of “it depends” demonstrate righteousness. What did I miss? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/84 "2012-07-04T02:43:35Z")
> [@oreally](#): > > I’m sorry about your situation. But clearly you’re not in rational discussion mode. I’d be happy to reply further if you get there. What situation? I have a salaried job now with benefits, and I’m extremely grateful that I do. But my comments were completely rational and true, and the reality of trying to live on minimum wage is disgustingly grim for the many people out there who are. So can you please point out exactly what you find so irrational about that? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/85 "2012-07-04T02:50:01Z")
Um, all the people who are deeply ‘offended’ by the very presence of a tip jar? How dare they put that in plain view? A tip jar at the fish shack? Shocking! Refusal to even entertain the very real probability that the customers requested the damn thing! It’s a jar, with some coins in it. I just don’t think it’s an affront to all that’s right in the world and can’t understand those who do, I guess. And I recognize that the thread proves exactly what I was saying, by the numbers, more people tip than don’t, by a lot. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/86 "2012-07-04T03:01:53Z")
Okay, but again - who are you talking about? You’re the only person I can find who’s used the word “offended”, much less “deeply offended”, in the thread. Do I have someone on Ignore that I’m not aware of? I’m really not trying to be argumentative; I just don’t know what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/87 "2012-07-04T12:30:57Z")
Well, at our new deli the only reason I put out a container is because I was asked to do so repeatedly by my customers. It isn’t even labeled. Some folks tip and others don’t. But almost everyone throws in the change. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/88 "2012-07-04T15:17:20Z")
For cases where there’s minimal or no service, I tip when people treat me like a human being they’re happy to see at their place. For instance, when I go up to a bar and order a drink, most of the time the bartender will lazily turn around from the game they’re watching on one of the omnipresent TVs, distractedly fix my drink, and pass it over with a weather eye cocked to watch the all-important gaaaaaaaaaaame. :rolleyes: So yeah, no fucking tip. But this last weekend at the bar the bartender at a new place smiled when she saw me, asked me a couple of questions, made a suggestion about a drink, and _paid fucking attention to me_ when she made and served my drink. Yeah she got a sizable tip. Her total time spent interacting with me was less than three minutes and she got a $5 tip. Because she made me feel like she wanted me there in her place. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/89 "2012-07-04T16:49:52Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Well, at our new deli the only reason I put out a container is because I was asked to do so repeatedly by my customers. It isn’t even labeled. Some folks tip and others don’t. But almost everyone throws in the change. Off topic, but since you are here and it’s on my mind at the moment. How’s the deli doing? Wasn’t it you that started a thread asking for advice awhile back. Maybe you could start thread about how its going and such (though you are probably too busy running that deli 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/90 "2012-07-04T17:13:09Z")
NO TIP. Period. That’s . :mad: ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/91 "2012-07-04T17:38:20Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Off topic, but since you are here and it’s on my mind at the moment. How’s the deli doing? Wasn’t it you that started a thread asking for advice awhile back. Maybe you could start thread about how its going and such (though you are probably too busy running that deli 🙂 ) Yes, that was me. Things are going well, thank you for asking. We actually turned a small profit in June. Our averages are coming up and we are getting a lot of good feedback on our food. And our service. I actually have regulars now and one of them told me they’d eat here even if my food wasn’t delicious, just because our service is so good and I’m so nice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/92 "2012-07-04T18:04:45Z")
Glad to hear the Deli is going well! With that tip jar you’ll probably be buying a villa in Tuscany by next year 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/93 "2012-07-04T18:13:56Z")
I am so pleased to hear about the deli! Keep up the great work! Are you still lovin’ it? What kind of hours are you keeping? Got any life outside of work? We want to hear all about it! ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/94 "2012-07-04T18:25:20Z")
Well, the tips will maybe pay the light bill, if I’m lucky. 🙂 But, I share them with staff too, so no villa and no retirement to easy street any time soon. But, I’d rather do this than work for someone else. It gets boring to make the same salads every day, but I really enjoy all the customer interaction. I no longer have much of a life outside of here, but at my age, I’m not sure I care much. I have a blast when we have music in the courtyard. I even join the dancing when I’m between customers. I hope my numbers will continue to increase enough to actually stay in business. I do feel pretty good about how things are going so far. Thanks for your interest you guys. Sorry for the hijack, OP. ---
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/95 "2012-07-05T03:59:06Z")
> [@MrDurden](#): > > As to the first comment… SALARY? Really? What tipped job is salary and not hourly? :rolleyes: “Salary” meaning my overall paycheck Mr Pedantic. > [@](#): > > we both know damn well you didn’t pay rent on a tipped employees wages. The gap between what you “know” and what you think you know is rather severe - esp re. how you think you know my life. Again, I really don’t care if you believe me. > [@](#): > > Btw, isn’t calling someone a cheap son of a bitch outside the Pit a no-no? It’s all good man. Keep that dollar. It was a very tongue-in-cheek reference to your similarly snide remarks, but I’m not surprised you didn’t pick up on it. And funny how you can call me a liar/etc but then whine when someone throws a shot your way (even though I didn’t). Regardless, if you can’t take it, don’t dish it out. > [@WhyNot](#): > > **elbows** , are we reading the same thread? The only one who’s been righteous enough in tone to attract my notice is you, to be honest. Which posts are you talking about? I’m not sure how 50+ variations of “it depends” demonstrate righteousness. What did I miss? An explanation of the pot/kettle concept, apparently 😉 Stay tuned, I’m sure we’ll get another “who cares? we don’t care! who cares?? Stop being offended!” rant any sec now - lol ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/96 "2012-07-05T06:19:28Z")
I’m still trying to imagine a “clam shack” and wondering where such excellent and noble institutions exist. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/97 "2012-07-05T14:33:16Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I’m still trying to imagine a “clam shack” and wondering where such excellent and noble institutions exist. Seriously? Here you go: [www.boston.com/travel/explorene/…/new\_england\_clam\_shacks/](http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/.../new_england_clam_shacks/) A guide to New England clam restaurants and clam and lobster shacks through Cape Ann, Ipswich, Essex, the South Shore, Maine, and Rhode Island. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/98 "2012-07-05T15:56:05Z")
The only tip jars I put money in are in places I go to a lot. Even then it’s not every time. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/99 "2012-07-05T23:33:33Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I never tipped at (and have stopped going to) Cold Stone Creamery because of the obnoxious bullshit they do with their tip jar. When anyone drops in money, one of the staff rings a LOUD bell and the entire staff bursts into some goofy song. > > I considered offering to leave a tip if they would not do the bell and song routine, but I didn’t want to see smoke coming out of their ears as their brains fried from the idea. I will guarantee you that the employees there don’t want to do it, either. They’re singing because there’s a manager, probably behind the scenes, who’s going to ream their asses out if they don’t. They’re not singing for the pure fucking pleasure of song, and they’re not doing it because they’re too fucking stupid to consider it–they’re doing it because there’s some corporate mastermind who thought “Hey, wouldn’t it be great and cheerful if our employees SANG every time they got tips? Like an old-fashioned soda jerk stand! You know, I’m going to implement that!” and it got tested in focus groups and enough people LIKED the stupid singing that every manager in the goddamn chain got a memo saying “MAKE YOUR EMPLOYEES SING, GODDAMMIT.” The folks scooping your ice cream are not the ones who came up with or particularly enjoy the idea. They’re doing it so they don’t lose their jobs. That is retail at that level. ---
**Author:** ![MrDurden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@MrDurden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDurden)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028/100 "2012-07-06T08:17:27Z")
> [@oreally](#): > > :rolleyes: “Salary” meaning my overall paycheck Mr Pedantic. > > The gap between what you “know” and what you think you know is rather severe - esp re. how you think you know my life. Again, I really don’t care if you believe me. Answer the question. How did you pay your bills on $2.13 (or whatever the tipped wage was at that time) times 40-some hours a week? Because according to you, the tips were a ‘kicker’ and not part of your salary to be relied on.. please give me a breakdown of how you spent that money… what you paid for rent/morgage, utilites, etc. This is the thing.. you know you are lying, I know you are lying, so do many other posters. You are just too ‘whatever’ to admit it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ignore-the-tip-jar-in-these-circumstances/627028.md?page=6)