Tip Jars At Big Named Chain Coffee Shops

**Libby** · 05-19-2010, 10:31 AM

[inspired by imagine's thread on 'take a penny, leave a penny']

How do y'all feel about communal tip jars at the cash register of a big named chain coffee shop?

Do you put your change in there so you don't have to lug it around for the rest of the day? Do you tip if the server is really helpful, patient and nice to you? Do you tip just b/c everyone else does it? Do you feel you get superb service if someone else poured your coffee for you? What if you have to go to the coffee station yourself and pour your own coffee, should they tip you in return? Do you use the jar to make change for yourself ie break a looney or quarter? Do you feel that tipping the server is necessary as they are already being paid for this service/job?

What are your thoughts on these things & how do you personally use them?

**imagine** · 05-19-2010, 10:41 AM

I'm not familiar with tip jars.

I'm guess those are extra money for the "server" much like the tips you leave on the table.

Do the people that have tip jars make less an hour like the servers that you tip at the table?

**cab54** · 05-19-2010, 10:45 AM

Yeah, I tip. In tip jars, too.

When my Dad left my Mom with 5 kids, she raised us on tips. She made .95 an hour and the tips were her 'true' income. My dad hardly ever sent child support. Also, as a kid/young adult, I worked my way through nurses' training. You never know what kid is saving for their education....

There's a change jar at our fave donut shop, and our fave pizza place. I don't mind at all.

**stinkbug** · 05-19-2010, 10:48 AM

I get coffee once a week before my WW meeting. The barista knows me and starts my order when he sees me walk in. He's super pleasent (a college kid) and is nice to everyone...even when he's super busy. My order is 3.23 and I put the change from the 4.00 in his jar. If he's really busy, I throw in an extra buck. He makes the BEST double skinny latte'

**nancycg56** · 05-19-2010, 11:30 AM

I tip. Both of my kids have worked in restaurants and I know how hard they worked and how often they got stiffed so I make sure I tip well everywhere even tip jars.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-19-2010, 12:33 PM

I put my change in my pocket. Minimum wage here is $10.25/h, coffee shop workers aren't getting paid less or working any harder than any other service worker.

**savvy_sniper** · 05-19-2010, 12:46 PM

A neighbor girl works at a hamburger place that hubby and I frequent. We add the tip on the total bill and she receives the tip.

She said any money put in the tip jar by the register IS KEPT BY THE OWNER!

**Rhayne** · 05-19-2010, 01:04 PM

I never tip at big chain stores for the same reason that monkeywrangler said. I do however tip at this little family owed coffee shop near my mothers house. My mom had known the owners since I was little and They are always pleasant, fast, amazing coffee and sandwiches and the prices aren't out of this world. Even when I go in without my mom the owner recognizes me and greets me like I'm family.

**mombottoo** · 05-19-2010, 05:25 PM

I don't put a tip into a tip jar no matter where they are. I tip when I go to a restaurant & someone has to actually come to my table & serve me.

**IntlMom** · 05-19-2010, 05:42 PM

I avoid the whole thing by having a prepaid store card. I load up my card with 50 bucks or so, and then for the next while, I just had over my card to pay..... I love it!

**TheresaRHPS** · 05-20-2010, 01:20 AM

Well, I don't drink coffee, and therefore have never been to the place in question, but I have been to many other places with tip jars. I usually always tip my coin change, unless the service is really bad. If its extra nice, I might throw in a dollar bill.

I don't feel obligated to tip any higher, especially anywhere near what I'd tip a server, because people who work in places with tip jars generally aren't paid servers' wages. Therefore, they aren't relying on tips to make up their income.

I've worked plenty of service jobs in my youth, and I like to give a little monetary thank you for good customer service. I know what its like to work with the public, being on your feet for a long time, and still managing to keep a smile...all for minimum wage.

**ruderring** · 05-20-2010, 08:21 AM

In Iowa if you receive tips they do not have to pay you minimum wage or at least it use to be that way a few years back when I waited tables to put myself through college and support my family. It is a slap in the face if you work your tail end off and receive nothing. It made me a little less likely to want to do a good job when they came in the next time but I always did my best possible even though I really didn't want to. As for tip jars I really haven't seen those around here much. Don't know what I would do. Also when my daughter worked for a particular restaurant she said they didn't receive the tips left on a card so, I always either try to have cash for this purpose or ask to make sure they get the tip if I put it on my debit card. I also try to directly hand the tip to the server because sometimes the bus people give it to the wrong people or pocket it themselves. I had that happen more than once. I would have people from church or who were regulars ask if I got my tip if I left during their time there and sometimes I would have to say no. From then on they would give me my tip later or before I left from my shift. Just saying to make sure if you like your server make sure they actually get the tip.

**frugal is fun** · 05-20-2010, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by mombottoo

I don't put a tip into a tip jar no matter where they are. I tip when I go to a restaurant & someone has to actually come to my table & serve me.

this is me too!

**Pemberleyan** · 05-20-2010, 01:35 PM

I'm not familiar with tip jars either. Perhaps it's a regional thing, or maybe just the fact that I don't frequent coffee shops. I believe in tipping waitresses 15%, but I tip less for restaurants where it is like a cafeteria, etc. I would not put money in a jar where I serve myself.

**frugalfranny** · 05-21-2010, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

A neighbor girl works at a hamburger place that hubby and I frequent. We add the tip on the total bill and she receives the tip.

She said any money put in the tip jar by the register IS KEPT BY THE OWNER!

You have GOT to be kidding!!! What a RIP OFF!!

I don't frequent the coffee places but probably wouldn't tip a 'tip jar' anyway!

I have always wondered about the 'donation jars' that I see in some of our 'quick stop' places...........wonder if the $ ever gets to where it says. Now we have crooks that are taking them...yep....literally.........they run in, grab the jar and go!