tipping "counter " staff

[testcase]

I'm not clear on your meaning. When dining alone someplace that has counter service (and I'm ordering an eat-in meal), I do tip the server. If it's something like a Starbucks where I'm just getting coffee or a beverage to go, then no, I do not tip the counter staff.

[3d]

Fritz,
Are you talking about the person that takes your order, scoops out some ice cream and hands it to you?
I normally give them whatever the coin change is after I pay. It's not very mathematical.

Meanwhile at a bar, the counter staff (bartender) pops a bottle cap and puts a beer bottle in front of me gets a dollar a bottle. Weird and unfair. Yes.

[Fritz]

"Are you talking about the person that takes your order, scoops out some ice cream and hands it to you? "

Yup. The kid who's doing actual work of some kind, is in motion all day long on a sumbitch like yesterday and has to contend with an impatient general public.

I never got the bartender thing either, other than the fact that the wage is low.

[samintx]

Starbucks took away their tip jar.

[vicrock]

If you sit at a counter, yes. If you are just picking up, no. Independent (i.e. not Starbucks or the like) drive thru coffee stands yes

[gabester]

It depends:

1) Was the service friendly and efficient?
2) Is it a place I frequent regularly?
3) Is it a place I really like?
4) Is it young kids who can always use an extra buck?

If any of the above, and I have the single bill or change, I'll drop it in the tip jar, IF they have one. I may put in more than a buck if multiple categories qualify, but rarely more than two. This is for window order/pickup type scenarios. I don't feel compelled to tip, I just like to when it meets my criteria. But I would never tip for fast food.

If we're talking counter/bar service where you're sitting there for more than a couple minutes, a tip is always appropriate.

[graylocks]

samintx wrote:
Starbucks took away their tip jar.

what Starbucks location do you frequent? corporate stores have tip jar and the income is accounted for in our paycheck. some licensed locations like in a Target or grocery stores do not allow tipping. that's the decision of the entity that holds the license.

[space-time]

I noticed that Panera now asks you if you want to tip the Panera Team. it is $0.50, $1, and I think there are few more options including one where you choose the amount. I was surprised since panera is our go-to place for fast food while on the road and for the past 15 years or so I never seen them take tips until recently.

[Rolando]

Starbux employees work really hard, but are paid pretty well and have better insurance than most other food service workers. I don't tip at McD's but should I had Starbux?

Honestly, should I patronize a local indie who almost certainly pays and covers less than Starbux?

I generally reserve tips for waitstaff, who typically get $2.13/hr plus tips, and give tips in cash if I can.

Fun fact, a Resturant SHOULD be paying the employee's who work the to-go counter at least minimum wage, not the $2.13/hr they get while waiting tables. I've done payroll for resturants, I can tell you it's crazy hard to calculate for the employer, and the waiter would rather just do it for a few minutes at the $2.13 rate plus tips.

[wurm]

If it's someplace they have to clean up after me in order to serve the next person, sure. For pouring a cup of coffee into a styrofoam cup and handing it to me, no.