I know that there are certain situations where you should tip. Places like restaurants where you are getting served by a server who makes far less than minimum wage and requires gratuity to make ends meet. Or venues like a bar, pub or club, where you generally tip a buck per drink, as the bartenders and servers/cocktail waitresses get paid jack at such establishments as well. However, what really grinds my gears are other places, where the employees are compensated at least minimum wage, and they think that they can get more money out of you by placing a tip jar on the counter.
It really does get me unnerved, because these people could easily go out and find a higher paying job, they just settled for less. Now Peter and Mary are expected to tip them because they want more money? Um, News Flash: If you make at least minimum wage, then you don’t get tipped in my book. That’s because the other people in the industry need those tips to survive, because they get paid like two bucks per hour! So here are five places where you DON’T need to ever tip…but they would sure like you to!
Starbucks and Most Coffee Shops: Okay, so you order a white chocolate mocha in the large size and then add some whip cream. For about 12 ounces of coffee you are expected to shell out nearly $7 or more. Then they have the audacity to try and get a tip from you. Yeah right. These people are making at least minimum wage.
Pizza Parlors that Serve by the Slice: These places serve to go and you don’t get a server. You order up front, grab your pizza and either head out the door or find a seat that has no crumbs on it. So why are you tipping them? Because you feel bad that they have poor job hunting skills?
Most Submarine Sandwich Shops: Again, another place where you are not supposed to have to leave a gratuity. These places pay at least minimum wage. Welcome to food service. When was the last time you tipped at Burger King? Never? Exactly!
Mom and Pop Takeout or Dine-In Eateries: I can’t reinforce this rule of thumb more often. If they don’t have servers, and it’s not a bar, you do not tip. Places that offer ready to eat food on the go are already making money from your hunger. If they don’t serve you at your table, like a real eatery, you don’t have to feel bad by not tipping.
Hotdog Stands or Mobile Food Stands: Again, they grabbed a hotdog or burger, etc, and made it for you. These people own these stands for the most part. The making of the food for you is included in the prices. No tip is required.