What to tip your Barista?

[krystalleigh1]

Every time I go to Starbucks or my local coffee shop I always wonder if I'm tipping correctly. I usually spend about $5 on a coffee and tip $1. So I end up paying $6 for my coffee. (I know-insane to spend $6 of one coffee but that's another post).

So just what do you tip? What is standard?

 

[blanq]

I am sorry, but I think it is crazy to tip for someone to make me an already overpriced cup of coffee, which takes almost no time for the barista to put into a cup for me, so I rarely tip at Starbucks or Caribou (where I frequent most often). Once in awhile I will throw in the change I get back, but not consistently.

 

[krystalleigh1]

I am sorry, but I think it is crazy to tip for someone to make me an already overpriced cup of coffee, which takes almost no time for the barista to put into a cup for me, so I rarely tip at Starbucks or Caribou (where I frequent most often). Once in awhile I will throw in the change I get back, but not consistently.

Yeah, I kind of feel that way too. That's why I'm asking. I feel bad not tipping SOMETHING, but I sort of feel like I'm over doing it.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

baristas are usually paid a fair wage. IE they arent paid waitress scale $2.13 an hour + tips. So I dont always tip them... however if someone was great, very helpful or whatever I throw in a dollar or the coin part of my change. Remember though generally the tip jar is split between whomever is on the shift.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Every time I go to Starbucks or my local coffee shop I always wonder if I'm tipping correctly. I usually spend about $5 on a coffee and tip $1. So I end up paying $6 for my coffee. (I know-insane to spend $6 of one coffee but that's another post).

So just what do you tip? What is standard?

If I'm paying with my debit card or with a gift card, I don't tip. Paying with cash, I'll generally put whatever coins I get in change if it's under $0.50.

With its new special coffees, I guess we'll see a McDonald's tip jar in its drive-thru!

 

[RN01]

I don't tip unless it's a waitress or waiter bringing my food to the table, taking my order, etc. Now if it's a buffet and they are refilling my drinks and taking plates away I will tip. I think tipping at a coffee shop would be the same as tipping at McDonalds, completely unneccessary.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

Where'm'I? Budget board? Ok.

When I go to Starbucks, I usually have a free small coffee bag (specially marked home brew bags). I'll tip the Barista with whatever change I have.

If I'm buying a regular, nothing added cup of coffee, I don't tip. If my order is beyond that, I'll tip if I have change.

 

[Ember]

I worked at Second Cup, which is another coffee shop here in Canada and very similar to Starbucks. People who tipped were in the minority and it was not expected.

The only time I ever really noticed if someone tipped or not is when they had a very large order to go. Putting everything together and usually helping them carry it (we were central downtown so this happened a fair bit, where someone would buy coffee for the office) was a lot of work and outside what was expected of me in my job. When I've lugged coffee for a block and a half and basically set up a catering station for someone, I thought a tip was deserved. It didn't always happen, but you can bet I was less likely to act as a pack mule for them the next time.

Other then that, I probably made about $6 a shift in tips. It was a bit of spending money, but nothing big. Don't feel obligated to tip!

 

[crisi]

I don't tip at Starbucks (or Caribou, which I also frequent more often - although that isn't very often at all).

Starbucks actually pays pretty well for the type of job it is.

 

[PrincessBelle09]

I don't tip at Starbucks. The employees there are paid a decent wage and tips are an extra, not a requirement.

 

[dex08]

I don't tip at Starbucks either.

 

[Kay1]

I visit a place that is a bakery but also serves coffee and sandwiches. I only buy bags of dog biscuits they make and don't throw anything in the tip jar. If the guy made me a sandwich and a drink I'd probably throw in a dollar or two.

 

[Disney845]

I am not a coffee drinker, so I do not frequent Starbucks, but I feel the same way about tipping there that I do at any other "counter service" place (including local sandwich shops, chinese takeout, picking up pizza, ice cream shops, etc). I do not think it is necessary to tip in places such as these, as the worker is being paid a standard wage.

The placement of a tip cup or jar on the counter turns me off as I do not see what they have done for me to earn a tip over and above what their standard wage job description includes (i.e. they are paid $8/hr to scoop ice cream, that is their job and that is the wage that comes with it. Just as a custodian might be paid $8/hr to mop a floor, that is their job and the wage that comes with it).

I view this as completely different than a traditional restaurant where the employee wages are set in such a way (below minimum wage) to take into account tipping. In this setting the worker may make something like $2.50/hr and then rely on their service skills (personality, speed, accuracy) to increase their wages based on tips.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have interviewed at s'bux (not for barista position) and have MANY friends who work there in many capacities (from barista to tech support to VP assistant). S'bux takes care of its employees. All the way down to their baristas. I don't generally tip them.

FWIW, I've worked at places where tips aren't normally accepted, and people will quite often WANT to tip. So eventually the employees put out a tip jar, to accommodate those people who want to tip...at the places where I've worked when this has happened, it's never meant to be a suggestion to people, but just an accommodation for those who already want to tip.


If I get really good service at a NON chain coffee place (it's rare, but it sometimes happens), then I'll tip, mainly b/c I don't know how they are being treated...but since I know with s'bux, it's a different situation.

 

[hugApug]

Former barista here I worked at both Starbucks and a local neighborhood shop. At Starbucks we would get $20/week max. They divide the tips by hours at the end of week, and don't reward the baristas who worked the busiest shifts.

At the local coffee shop I would go home with $25/$40 per 6 hour shift. We provided great service to return customers, and had a very loyal customer base. We remembered everyone's drinks, gave cookies to the little kids, and always engaged in conversation. We also did light food prep. I enjoyed these things, and never expected a tip, but it was nice that the customer's recognized that we were paid minimum wage and still provided great service.

I guess it all depends on the level of service you receive. Plus, if you're just getting drip coffee, then you don't need to tip. If you order an "extra-hot 190 degree, no foam, 2-pump vanilla, 3 pump peppermint caramel machiato with only one thin line caramel drizzle"....you need to tip. Maybe not each time, but every once in awhile is nice.

Compare a barista's tips with that of a bartender, and a barista's wages pale in comparison.

 

[pezheadmeg]

When I was drinking Starbucks daily. I would usually toss in five or ten dollars when I reloaded my card.

However, I saw the same baristas almost daily for the better part of 2 years. My drink would be started before I even placed my order. Plus, they were the type that if I ordered a grande frap and there was enough in the blender for a venti, they would just give me the venti.

How my wallet loves that I gave up that habit and bought a Keuring instead. Now with the rare time that I go for a single drink, I just toss whatever change I have in the jar.

 

[crisi]

Compare a barista's tips with that of a bartender, and a barista's wages pale in comparison.

In that case, become a bartender.

This is like saying "a cardiologist makes way more than a family practice doctor."

 

[tinkmom2]

I worked at Starbucks for about 3 years and was making around $8.50 per hour. Tips were split amongst all the baristas and dependant on how many hours you worked. I would bring about $20.00/week in tips at our store. If one of you is giving bad service unfortunatly it reflects on the whole staff.
Like people say, we remember your drink, have it ready before you get to the window, and remember your name. Not every place has service like that. Even though I don't work there anymore I have great respect for baristas and all the "quirks" they have to put up with.
That being said once I quit I switched to McDonalds' iced coffee and am very happy

 

[hugApug]

In that case, become a bartender.

This is like saying "a cardiologist makes way more than a family practice doctor."

I was just making a point that both are food service, deal with making drinks, and memorizing many different mixes and practically no one hesitates when tipping a bartender. I don't quite get your analogy, as bartending and being a barista are pretty similar. (I've done both, and don't think that one position trumps the other).

 

[Kay1]

I was just making a point that both are food service, deal with making drinks, and memorizing many different mixes and practically no one hesitates when tipping a bartender. I don't quite get your analogy, as bartending and being a barista are pretty similar. (I've done both, and don't think that one position trumps the other).

I agree with the comparison. To me the difference is the amount of time sitting at a bar vs. placing an order at a counter. You are describing great service and I'm sure I would tip you right.