To Tip or Not To Tip

So I have a personal dilemma concerning tipping. Before I worked at Starbucks, I resented the implication that you must tip. I mean I just paid $4 for this drink and quite frankly I don’t feel that I should have to pay any more!

Tipping was supposed to be for exceptional service, above and beyond what is expected. Not to make up for the cheapness of employers. Now, at Starbucks they pay close to a living wage. And it would be much closer if you were guarenteed a set amount of hours each week. However, since you’re not, almost everyone there works more than one job since you will only get between 16 and 22 hours per week when you’re new. At $9.00 hour, that ain’t much.

But I digress. Now that I am actually paid tips I had to figure out if my “tune” concerning tipping had changed. And you know what….it hasn’t. I would rather be paid slightly more and customers discouraged from tipping except for exceptional service. Because to be honest the customers who are the biggest pain in the ass never tip. The really nice guy who is pleasant always leaves a big tip, while the nasty women who has you remake her drink 3 times doesn’t leave anything.

In Europe, I believe tipping is discouraged and waiters/baristas are actually paid a living wage. It is a profession that one can make a living at, unlike in the United States. Perhaps we should follow that example.

But until that time comes….I’m still picking up my tips