Tipping question for self-serve places

[MrsDrewsky]

Do you also tip the folks at McDonald's when you get coffee there?
They pour coffee too but I would never tip anyone at McDonalds.

I really can't see how it is any different.
Just my $0.02...

I can see your point. However, I worked for a coffee shop through college, and sometimes it's not as simple as pouring coffee. When someone orders a 195 degree, no foam, 3 1/2 pump sugar free vanilla, soy with a "dusting" of splenda on top latte it's a bit more complicated than what someone at McDonald's can even do. I wish I was making up orders like that. At that point you're more of a bartender, you know?

 

[sksjasams]

I can see your point. However, I worked for a coffee shop through college, and sometimes it's not as simple as pouring coffee. When someone orders a 195 degree, no foam, 3 1/2 pump sugar free vanilla, soy with a "dusting" of splenda on top latte it's a bit more complicated than what someone at McDonald's can even do. I wish I was making up orders like that. At that point you're more of a bartender, you know?

Agreed....that is a different situation.

 

[wishesuponastar]

Heck no!! I don't tip at the yogurt place.

 

[NVDisMom]

I don't tip at those places. I normally pay with a debit card, and I don't think any of the local ones have a tip line on the credit slip, which indicates to me that they don't expect tipping.

You make a very good point. When the credit card receipt doesn't have a tip line, then one of two things is true. Either their business type is not eligible for tips to be added by Visa and MC rules or they are but the owner has disabled that feature. In either case, I would take that as an indication that tipping isn't considered normal.

 

[edk35]

I don't tip at that type of place. I think this trend of everyone expecting a tip for everything is sort of silly. A waitress, a delivery person, a hairstylist, sure. A check out clerk, no.

What do they do at a froyo place that is any different from the counter person at McDonalds? I don't tip the person who rings up my pizza when I pick it up myself at the pizza place, either.

Exactly...before long....cashiers at your local grocery store will have tip jars out.....fast food places......cashiers at the Wa Wa....the list could go on and on.

 

[anna08]

I stopped being a frequent customer of a sandwich shop that changed their credit card receipt by including a tip line - this is a place where they call out your name and you go get your own food, utensils, straws and drinks and then are supposed to clear your dishes to a bin by the door before you leave.

No one tipped me when I cleaned toilets as part of our duties as a lifeguard, which I would venture to say, might deserve it more than cleaning out the froyo machine...

I applaud the stores that have Starbucks counters but do not allow tipping. (Target and Harris Teeter) Does anyone know if the baristas make a tiny food service hourly rate or do they get minimum wage?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I can see your point. However, I worked for a coffee shop through college, and sometimes it's not as simple as pouring coffee. When someone orders a 195 degree, no foam, 3 1/2 pump sugar free vanilla, soy with a "dusting" of splenda on top latte it's a bit more complicated than what someone at McDonald's can even do. I wish I was making up orders like that. At that point you're more of a bartender, you know?

I have an acquaintance I sometimes go to Starbucks with and she makes me cringe with her crazy order. I don't know if she actually prefers her coffee this way or that she just prides herself on being different.

We went to a froyo place last weekend (I tend not to go much, though, as I end up having to take out a froyo loan because I end up getting the heaviest toppings...) and they had a tip jar. I didn't tip. I'm a great tipper as I was a server for much of my late teens, early 20's and I know what they have to deal with, but I don't tip at places where people get paid at least minimum wage, I serve myself, and bring it to you to check out. Well, I take that back, I may tip if you're exceptionally friendly or helpful (like maybe I was talking about a topping I would love to see on the topping bar to my husband and he/she overhears and says something like, "Oh! We just got some of _____ in. I'll go grab some for you" or something to that degree).

 

[ManyMinnie]

I don't tip at froyo places.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I know - "not another tipping debate", but honestly, I'm not too sure what to do in this circumstance...

(..snip..)

Has anyone here been to any of these self-serve yogurt places ? And if so, do you leave tips at them?

Been to them? Yes.

Do I leave tips? Absolutely not.

TIPS are for service. When I do all the service myself, I get the tip.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

You make a very good point. When the credit card receipt doesn't have a tip line, then one of two things is true. Either their business type is not eligible for tips to be added by Visa and MC rules or they are but the owner has disabled that feature. In either case, I would take that as an indication that tipping isn't considered normal.

One place that lost my business permanently a few years ago was a buffet-style pseudo-cafeteria location. And when you walked in the door to order your AYCE buffet, and before they hand you your tray, your empty cup, and you go stand in line to get your plate and utensils, they ask How much do you want to leave for a tip?

And I said "Are you joking??"

And I happily zipped a big, fat ZERO on the tip line. PRE-EMPTIVE tips?? SERIOUSLY??

Not even.

 

[DisMomme]

Been to them? Yes.

Do I leave tips? Absolutely not.

TIPS are for service. When I do all the service myself, I get the tip.

I agree with this. In college I worked as a cashier at a restaurant. The waitstaff got tips, I did not. I was paid a $4.25/hr minimum wage (and yes, I cleaned out the soft-serve ice cream machine). The minimum wage the waitstaff received then, $2.13. I think it may still be the same although some states have higher minimums. As a cashier I NEVER expected a tip, even when I served ice cream at the take out window.

Employees at fast food and coffee establishments are paid a higher wage because they do not depend on tips for their wages. Tip jars in such places should not be allowed by management.

 

[Jridou]

I frequent this peruvian chicken place near my house where I get a chicken, yuca and salad for $14.76. I used to drop the 24 cents in the tip jar until the girl behind the counter said "Don't tip here, the owner keeps them all for himself."

 

[POOHsie]

We did a job in a hotel workroom for 2 weeks. Almost next door was a sub shop and my boss would usually walk over and get subs for us and bring them back to eat every day. One day we were so busy my boss ordered them to be delivered. I heard my boss raising his voice in the corner of the room. The delivery guy was miffed because my boss didn't give him a tip in addition to the delivery charge. Later I asked why he didn't tip the guy, and my boss told me the guy was the owner of the store! Talk about nerve!!!

 

[Bob NC]

I see these yogurt places as different from most self serve places.

I have been into a few of these places where the self serve bars are a friggin mess, fruits mixed together, many choices empty or very low, can't find a spoon, just an ungodly nightmare.

When I go into one of these yogurt joints and everything is neat and orderly, everything is stocked, the place is clean.....I know the person behind the counter is not simply there, "taking my money", they are the ones responsible for giving me a clean, well stocked, pleasant place to get yogurt.

Yes, they will get a tip from me.

Or, I could just spend a lot of time coming up with excuses why they DON'T deserve a tip.

It's not just what they do or don't do, it's what they are doing that they don't HAVE to do.

 

[ManyMinnie]

I see these yogurt places as different from most self serve places.

I have been into a few of these places where the self serve bars are a friggin mess, fruits mixed together, many choices empty or very low, can't find a spoon, just an ungodly nightmare.

When I go into one of these yogurt joints and everything is neat and orderly, everything is stocked, the place is clean.....I know the person behind the counter is not simply there, "taking my money", they are the ones responsible for giving me a clean, well stocked, pleasant place to get yogurt.

Yes, they will get a tip from me.

Or, I could just spend a lot of time coming up with excuses why they DON'T deserve a tip.

It's not just what they do or don't do, it's what they are doing that they don't HAVE to do.

AKA Doing what they are supposed to be doing.

 

[Bob NC]

AKA Doing what they are supposed to be doing.

I thought I said that one of the yogurt shops I go to is NOT as neat. clean and stocked as the other?

You don't ever have to tip, really. You don't need to make excuses for it either.

I just feel that I like to give a little positive reinforcement and show my appreciation to the mostly high school kids at the yogurt shop that does things right. Because, really, it IS possible to not do things right.

 

[BMC423]

I wouldn't tip unless you were at Pinkberry ( where they do serve your froyo and put all the toppings on for you) and I had a huge order. I agree with most of the replies here. If it's self serve I would definitely not tip. You are not really receiving any kind of service.

 

[Eureka]

Saw this article today and it made me think of this thread.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/electronic-tip-jars_n_2851778.html?utm_hp_ref=business

 

[pixiewings71]

I see these yogurt places as different from most self serve places.

I have been into a few of these places where the self serve bars are a friggin mess, fruits mixed together, many choices empty or very low, can't find a spoon, just an ungodly nightmare.

When I go into one of these yogurt joints and everything is neat and orderly, everything is stocked, the place is clean.....I know the person behind the counter is not simply there, "taking my money", they are the ones responsible for giving me a clean, well stocked, pleasant place to get yogurt.

Yes, they will get a tip from me.

Or, I could just spend a lot of time coming up with excuses why they DON'T deserve a tip.

It's not just what they do or don't do, it's what they are doing that they don't HAVE to do.

But that is what they are supposed to do. They are hired to keep the bar stocked and cleaned and to help customers. The place that doesn't do that needs to hire new employees because they aren't doing their job.

I wouldn't tip unless you were at Pinkberry ( where they do serve your froyo and put all the toppings on for you) and I had a huge order. I agree with most of the replies here. If it's self serve I would definitely not tip. You are not really receiving any kind of service.

I have a friend that works at Pinkberry (he's the assistant manager, hopefully up for a general manager position soon) and he told me yesterday that they just started serving Greek yogurt with yummies added.

 

[brooke789]

We have several of these yogurt places, but I've only been to Yogurt Mountain. I've been probably 5 or 6 times over the years and I've never noticed a tip jar...