Tipping- Every time or an occasional lump sum?

[Chuckanut]

I am not a big fan of tipping for ever little thing. I think tipping is often out of control these days.

But, I go to a nice coffee house where the staff and owners are good people, work hard and are competent. I get what amounts to counter service lite - I pay for the coffee at the register, walk over the the coffee bar where I get my cup, fill it, take it to a table, return for refills, and when I leave I bus the table so it is clean for the next people. IOW, this is not a full service experience.

Coffee with refills is about $3.

Which has a better psychological effect on the staff thus encouraging them to continue with their good service?

1. A small tip say 10% every time I pay at the register for a cup of coffee?

2. Every two weeks I drop a generous Over Tipping amount in the tip jar by the register. Say $10-$12.

For the sake of argument let's assume the total yearly tip is the same.

 

[Car-Guy]

I typically tip at restaurant for good food and good service... If either is poor, no tips... Sometimes I'll tip with help in loading my truck/trailer with "stuff" and sometimes I tip a dealer at a casino for friendly play. But that's about it.

 

[pacergal]

If I was going to tip, I would do it each time, especially if this is a mom and pop type of shop.

 

[Jerry1]

If it’s mostly the same people who work there and they know you, I’d go for #2. In those situations they just divide up the tip jar. Maybe throw a $10 spot in there every other Friday.

If it’s a churn of workers and they don’t really know you, then I’d just go with #1.

 

[Sunset]

I've decided for now, to tip from zero to 10% if I'm doing self serve or pickup/takeout.

Inside a restaurant with full meal service, which we don't do yet, I'll tip the normal 15% -> 20% if service, etc is acceptable to good.

If I use a service, and it's the owner doing the work. I don't tip because if they want more $$$ they can just charge more.

 

[Music Lover]

I get what amounts to counter service lite - I pay for the coffee at the register, walk over the the coffee bar where I get my cup, fill it, take it to a table, return for refills, and when I leave I bus the table so it is clean for the next people. IOW, this is not a full service experience.

I don't tip if I'm doing some of all of the work.

 

[OldShooter]

We have a spreading plague of restaurants (probably others do too.) where lunch entrées can be north of $10 but you are expected to order at a counter like fast food and then sometimes an pay an up-charge of 20%. In addition, you are offered the opportunity to tip before actually receiving any service. My practice is to tip zero at the counter and to leave a little cash on the table if I feel it is warranted.

 

[jurgs01]

I've lived and visited all over the world, and the way we tip is slightly over the top.

Almost everything has a tip option now.

I agree we should go back to using for great service.

 

[W2R]

Chuckanut, I don't know what the right answer to your question really is. If it was me, and a $3 coffee as you said, I'd give them $4 each time. Maybe I'm cheap or maybe I'm extravagant, but that's what I'd do FWIW. I wouldn't wait until the end of the year because until then, they might think I was stiffing them.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I do what W2R suggested.

 

[aja8888]

I do what W2R suggested.

ditto!

 

[Badger]

Chuckanut, I don't know what the right answer to your question really is. If it was me, and a $3 coffee as you said, I'd give them $4 each time. Maybe I'm cheap or maybe I'm extravagant, but that's what I'd do FWIW. I wouldn't wait until the end of the year because until then, they might think I was stiffing them.

Sounds like what a friend and I do in the mornings at a coffee shop. We order at the register and sit outside. If it is coffee then you get a cup and self serve. If hot tea then they bring it to you. It is mainly college students working and there is a tip box at the register that they share. Since I don't eat out much anymore a dollar or two every visit is a small way to help the students. I remember what it is like working my way through college and grad school.

Cheers!

 

[GenXguy]

Tip when and whatever feels right to you, not what the interwebs says. I tip for good service when they are actually providing a service, actually even for mediocre haircuts, but not for getting food at a drive-thru.

 

[tulak]

I’d leave $4 too, unless I’m paying by credit card with a touchscreen. In that case, I’d select the highest amount, assuming it’s not more than $1.

Edit to add: I’d tip every time and never lump sum.

 

[FindingForward]

I typically tip at restaurant for good food and good service... If either is poor, no tips... Sometimes I'll tip with help in loading my truck/trailer with "stuff" and sometimes I tip a dealer at a casino for friendly play. But that's about it.

Consider giving the server grace if it's something wrong with the food, as they don't control what comes out of the kitchen and too often, are stiffed for something not their fault. Now if the food's cold because they didn't grab it in time or are busy chatting with coworkers, that's more on them.

 

[tmm99]

I ordered a glass of club soda at a bar-like place where you order everything at a counter including food. It was $3.50CAD with no lime or straw, just club soda, and ice. I asked for a lime wedge and a straw. She picked up a biodegradable straw with no sleeves (exposed) with her hand (which she probably uses to handle cash) and handed it to me. I didn't tip.

As for the OP's coffee, I may or may not leave a tip. Sometimes, hardly, often - depending upon my mood.

 

[Montecfo]

I am not a big fan of tipping for ever little thing. I think tipping is often out of control these days.

But, I go to a nice coffee house where the staff and owners are good people, work hard and are competent. I get what amounts to counter service lite - I pay for the coffee at the register, walk over the the coffee bar where I get my cup, fill it, take it to a table, return for refills, and when I leave I bus the table so it is clean for the next people. IOW, this is not a full service experience.

Coffee with refills is about $3.

Which has a better psychological effect on the staff thus encouraging them to continue with their good service?

1. A small tip say 10% every time I pay at the register for a cup of coffee?

2. Every two weeks I drop a generous Over Tipping amount in the tip jar by the register. Say $10-$12.

For the sake of argument let's assume the total yearly tip is the same.

In my opinion this is not a transaction which is usually tipped since you are not getting service. So if I tipped it would be in the event of something exceptional only.

 

[Chuckanut]

I wouldn't wait until the end of the year because until then, they might think I was stiffing them.

I was thinking more of stuffing the tip jar every two weeks or so. Every year would not work for many reasons including staff turnover.

 

[youbet]

I generally pay the tab on my CC but tip the server in cash. I suppose I'm known as a cheapo all over town since the CC records all show zero tip. But the servers seem very pleased.

I also try to hand the tip directly to the server and not just leave it on the table or put it directly in the tip jar. I give it to him/her at the same time I hand them my CC. Or at a place where you bring your tab and CC to the register, I hand the tip to the server when they bring the tab.

Chuckanut....... in your situation I'd hand the person at the register a tenner every few weeks and say "thanks to you all for the great service" and nod at the tip jar (indicating it's a shared tip). The expected response would be that person saying thanks and stuffing the bill into the tip jar.

 

[Car-Guy]

Consider giving the server grace if it's something wrong with the food, as they don't control what comes out of the kitchen and too often, are stiffed for something not their fault. Now if the food's cold because they didn't grab it in time or are busy chatting with coworkers, that's more on them.

Of course I consider that and I use my best judgement in each case.

 

[aja8888]

I generally pay the tab on my CC but tip the server in cash. I suppose I'm known as a cheapo all over town since the CC records all show zero tip. But the servers seem very pleased.

I also try to hand the tip directly to the server and not just leave it on the table. I give it to him/her at the same time I hand them my CC. Or at a place where you bring your tab and CC to the register, I hand the tip to the server when they bring the tab.

I handle tips exactly the same way.

 

[Midpack]

I tip each time because staffing changes every time, in the OPs example I’d leave $4-5 each time. I can’t think of any place we go that has exactly the same staff every time. We tip generously all the time, even more since Covid, usually no less than $1 or 25% for low cost services, since most if not all of the people relying on tips aren’t paid that much in base pay. Most of us here shouldn’t be so concerned, the difference between tipping 15% and 25% is trivial for most of us. Next time you’re debating between 18% and 20%, stop and think of the $ difference - and “splurge.” But you’re free to do as you see fit…

Below: Let me get this straight, you tip 30 cents for a cup of coffee for “good people, work hard and are competent?”

I am not a big fan of tipping for ever little thing. I think tipping is often out of control these days.

But, I go to a nice coffee house where the staff and owners are good people, work hard and are competent. I get what amounts to counter service lite - I pay for the coffee at the register, walk over the the coffee bar where I get my cup, fill it, take it to a table, return for refills, and when I leave I bus the table so it is clean for the next people. IOW, this is not a full service experience.

Coffee with refills is about $3.

Which has a better psychological effect on the staff thus encouraging them to continue with their good service?

1. A small tip say 10% every time I pay at the register for a cup of coffee?

2. Every two weeks I drop a generous Over Tipping amount in the tip jar by the register. Say $10-$12.

For the sake of argument let's assume the total yearly tip is the same.

 

[Music Lover]

Businesses have been conditioning people to tip more and more. 10%, 12%, and 15% became 12%, 15%, 18%, which became 15%, 18%, 20%, etc.

At what point does it end? We were in Nashville a couple years ago and every bar had a sign that said "We don't get paid, tips are our only wages". I'm sure that's a lie as I don't think it's legal to not pay staff?

 

[youbet]

We were in Nashville a couple years ago and every bar had a sign that said "We don't get paid, tips are our only wages". I'm sure that's a lie as I don't think it's legal to not pay staff?

Good question. There are "volunteers" putting in hours that don't get paid. And I suppose in this case, if the so-called "employees" don't get paid but don't complain to the employer or to the NLRB, who would know or care?

Except they put up that sign..............

I suppose it will all come home to roost at tax time!

 

[Scuba]

I do what W2R suggested.

Me too