Tip Jars on Store Counters

[MIGrandma]

The only place I can think of that we go to regularly that has a tip jar is our local ice cream stand. It’s mostly teenagers that work there and we always put a couple dollars in the tip jar. They are working, and we appreciate that they are. So many places need workers and too many could work but choose not to since the pandemic. Are they all getting welfare?? I just don’t get it. We have a few local fast food places that their indoor dining is still closed due to the fact that they can’t get enough workers, even at $15-17 per hour.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would think that those employees would be smart enough to acknowledge those who do tip - lest they lose that golden goose quickly.

If I went to a place that only recognizes people who tipped in a jar I'd stop going there, if all I am worth to them as a customer is a tip in a jar doesn't seem very customer friendly

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I agree with you on this @RedAngie. I'm a classic "over-thanker" myself though and I can't imagine not thanking someone when they put cash in front of me in the tip jar. I think this is why it bothers me when my tip in the jar isn't acknowledged.

 

[kdonnel]

Don't they get paid for doing those jobs? Why would I add 20% on top of an already outrageous delivery fee I pay to utilize said service. Now on top of the $18 it costs me to have my $20 meal delivered, I am suppose to give another $4? Or is it 20% of the order and the delivery. Or on the delivery fee itself? No, I pay for the delivery, the driver gets paid, done. These aren't high school kids not getting paid and working for tips.

Uber and Lyft take as much as 50% of the fare shown to the customer. The delivery services take a huge cut as well expecting the difference to be made up with what has been traditionally a tipped service.

It is bad enough that Uber/Lyft/Doordash/Instacart hide from the driver/delivery person what they will make before they accept the ride/delivery because they know an even larger portion of rides/deliveries will go unaccepted if they were honest with their drivers.

For food deliveries $1 a mile is the standard desired tip.

 

[Praying Colonel]

When I grew up (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), there were not nearly as many tipping situations as there are now. I struggle with it. I try to be a generous person but I also feel like we're subsidizing employers underpaying a lot of these positions that are not traditionally tipped.

 

[slo]

There‘s a tip jar at the one pizza place in town, and it’s where customers go to pick up their pizza. I never understood this - why would I leave a tip for me to pick up my own pizza? I find it odd, so i never put anything in the jar, and apparently everyone else feels the same way as me because the jar is always empty - LOL!

 

[mjkacmom]

Don't they get paid for doing those jobs? Why would I add 20% on top of an already outrageous delivery fee I pay to utilize said service. Now on top of the $18 it costs me to have my $20 meal delivered, I am suppose to give another $4? Or is it 20% of the order and the delivery. Or on the delivery fee itself? No, I pay for the delivery, the driver gets paid, done. These aren't high school kids not getting paid and working for tips.

They get paid very little, most of their earnings come from tips.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Don't they get paid for doing those jobs? Why would I add 20% on top of an already outrageous delivery fee I pay to utilize said service. Now on top of the $18 it costs me to have my $20 meal delivered, I am suppose to give another $4? Or is it 20% of the order and the delivery. Or on the delivery fee itself? No, I pay for the delivery, the driver gets paid, done. These aren't high school kids not getting paid and working for tips.

Historically you tipped off of food delivery so how is this any different? I mean it's discretionary IMO what someone tips (although yes that gets controversial) but are you telling me you never tipped for pizza delivery even decades ago? Cuz that would have been really out of line with social norms back then.

Even when I'm ordering through the restaurant I'm tipping for delivery, sometimes when you order through the restaurant they contract it out through ubereats/door dash sometimes it's their own employees.

No matter what way you slice it (pun intended) delivery fee along with tipping for food delivery has been around for a long time, who is doing the delivery and just how much those delivery fees (and service fees) are have changed and that I can understand having issues with.

 

[amcnj]

I was used to tips being pretty standard for servers (I was once one myself!), delivery people, cabs and baggage handlers. Now tip jars are pretty common in lots of places by the registers.

Aside from when I was a waiter, and was paid I think it was $2.01 an hour, I got paid to do every other job I ever had, and would never have thought a tip was even a possibility.

If someone goes above and beyond and really helps you out, I could see possibly tipping. And if I received a tip I would definitely thank the giver. Any tips for me writing this response would be most welcome!

 

[sam_gordon]

They get paid very little, most of their earnings come from tips.

So? If they don't get paid enough, they find another job that pays well. If enough people quit the job (because of low pay), the business owners are all but forced to increase the pay. Problem solved. Of course, then they'll raise prices and the workers will still EXPECT to be tipped because "we don't get paid much".

 

[loves to dive]

I guess about 80% of the time there is a tip jar I'll put something in it. If I'm using a cc, I'll put cash in the jar if I have it, if not I'll add it to the cc. A thank you is polite but not necessary. We also tip when we order things like pizza or chinese for pick up. We just add it to the CC we pay with. We don't get delivery where we live but when we lived in places that did offer it, we tipped the driver as well. I don't use Uber that often (I've maybe used it 3 times in my life) but when I do, I tip the driver.

My family has been in the restaurant business my entire life, servers rely on tips, right wrong or otherwise. I also tip the baggage handlers at airports (less chance of your luggage getting lost) and valet parkers, bell hops and room service people. I do not tip maid service people.

 

[Skippy918]

At a sit down restaurant I’m okay with tipping. But at most of the places we eat, like fast casual or food truck, I feel guilty for not tipping and that the staff are going to judge me if I don’t tip.

 

[legler2250]

I try to keep it simple, although that is becoming increasingly difficult. When I go to an establishment where 'service' is provided I am a most generous tipper, upwards of 30-35%. When I go to subway or drive to the pizza place to pick up my food I do not tip, no matter how many times the credit card prompter asks me what % I want to give. I enjoy being generous as it is a true blessing to be so, however I don't like to feel I am being taken advantage of!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

This should be fun.

In most cases I don’t object to tip jars on the counters near store cash registers, such as for take out pizza, ice cream, etc. I may or may not drop a buck or two into it, depending on level of service and my mood (which I admit is often cranky.)

The same for CC payments when they twirl an I-pad around and there is a tip option.

Lately I’ve been noticing that many employees are not acknowledging or thanking customers for those gratuities.

I was in a better candy store yesterday buying Easter treats. (I can’t stand the crap Walmart or other mass merchandisers sell). If I had just purchased the packaged bunnies and eggs on shelves and tables, I probably wouldn’t have tipped. But I also bought three different items displayed in the glass cases. The employee had to hand pick, weigh, and package them in boxes.

All together I spent $70, paid with a CC, and dropped a $5 bill in the jar right in front of the employee’s face. She definitely saw it but didn’t thank me or say a word. Not even a general thank you for being a customer.

Any thoughts?

Just one. Who are you and what have you done with RedAngie? The RedAngie I know would have taken her $5 back.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Some people here sound like they are being forced to order at gun point...

Type F if you need help...

 

[Mysterian]

Getting some Reservoir Dogs flashbacks.

 

[GAN]

There‘s a tip jar at the one pizza place in town, and it’s where customers go to pick up their pizza. I never understood this - why would I leave a tip for me to pick up my own pizza? I find it odd, so i never put anything in the jar, and apparently everyone else feels the same way as me because the jar is always empty - LOL!

I get this. But I always leave a 20%+ tip even when picking up. They work hard, it's hot in there, the phone rings non-stop ...they always make a point to say they appreciate it. I figure if I have it to give, give it while I can. Everyone's situation is different, but I consider myself pretty fortunate these days so it makes me feel good to help a little.

 

[backformore]

The tip jars have always been confusing. Like starbucks. I get it, if I order a fancy complicated drink and the barrista gets it exactly right, I leave a tip. But usually, the tip is expected before I taste the drink, so I'm tipping on the expectation that the drink will be perfect? I use Starbucks as an example, because I thought that once they had a tip jar, all the other places started having tip jars as well -Dunkin, panera, even McDonalds.

Something to think about - A local grocery store has a Starbucks in the store. there is a tip jar, and the expectation that you leave a tip, I guess. Across the aisle is the deli counter - no tip jar. Deli clerks are employees of the grocery store, and not allowed to take tips. Starbucks workers are Starbucks employees, and they do take tips. Try explaining to someone unfamiliar with the American tipping system, that a tip is expected when someone makes your coffee, but not when someone slices your deli meat.

 

[BayouQueen]

I'm thinking you've just had a run of bad luck, @RedAngie and encountered a few bad apples. I always put something in those tip jars, and they always say "thank you."

 

[Owlpost23]

The dispensary I go to has tip jars at all the registers.Talk about raking in the cash....