Tip Jars make me uncomfortable. I feel self-conscious around them and I don’t like being showy with my tips or feeling like I have to tip. I am a big fan of tipping well and try to do so, but sometimes there are situations in which I do not feel a tip is necessary.
When I order takeout food I do not expect to tip because I haven’t paid for any special service. No one has waited upon me, other than the two minutes it takes me to pay the person at the cash register. Maybe it is just me, but I often feel like there is this unspoken push, like they are trying to use the jedi-mind trick on me to encourage me to tip.
But the standard takeout meal is not really where this problem lies. It is more of a Starbucks/Ice Cream store issue. I order my overpriced Latte, pay almost four bucks for it and then am expected to leave something more.
I have friends who routinely leave the change, but I feel cheap and stupid leaving seventeen cents and since I have already paid a premium for the food item I don’t like throwing in another dollar.
But a guilty conscience impacts me too as I consider that some of the employees of the establishment are relying upon tips as a way to help support their families and here I am engaging in this decadent behavior.
So I wrestle with my conscience and my hunger.
(Originally posted by me here)
Kimananda,
No, it shouldn’t be our problem, but it seems to be.
Reservoir Dogs was great.
your dilemma reminds me of the scene at the beginning of Reservoir Dogs where Mr. Pink says he doesn’t believe in tipping and about the differences between tipping in a resturant and a fast food joint.
J.
The problem is that it shouldn’t be our problem as customers that establishments don’t pay their employees enough. The idea that tips are not just an extra for good service, but are actually a necessary part of each server’s salary really doesn’t do well under analysis. But, of course, establishments don’t generally pay their employees enough. So, I understand your guilty conscience.