Tipping for a cup of coffee

Julius Orange wrote:

Besides, Mr. Reading Comprehension Skills, if you read what I wrote, I was talking about the existence of the jar, not whether or not we should tip.

Beyond thanking you for the thoughtful koan, my comment wasn't intended as a response to your whiny post specifically, (I'm sure everyone feel yours pain about those intimidating jars). Rather, it was intended as an observation about this whiny thread in general. Please forgive me if I wasn't entirely clear.

Julius Orange wrote: And talk about being cheap. Saving a few pennies? So that's what you tip? A few pennies? Damn, you're the biggest cheapskate here by a mile Danny boy.

I haven't actually revealed anything about my tipping habits yet, but since you're asking, I'll be happy to share: I rarely buy coffee outside the home, but on those rare occasions when I do, if I see a tip jar, I tip 'em fifteen, twenty cents, maybe a quarter. Is that a lot of money? No, it is literally "chump change." Do I feel resentful about parting with it? No, because I'm not a FUCKING NUT JOB.*

(* I should point out that my "nut job" comment is aimed, not at you personally, but at this thread in general).

Well, I could join the chorus of complaint about the menace of tip jars, but that would be dishonest of me.

Oh, while I have the floor I thought you'd all want to read this letter that JO sent to me... don't worry Danny, it's not you, it definitely him....

His letter:

"Fuck, you’re a worthless piece of shit, you know that? I’m ignoring you on the post because you really have nothing valuable to add. I’ve checked out your other posts. You’re the type of person who sees a post and tries to figure out how obnoxious and disruptive you can be. That’s a prick by definition. That’s the kind of person you are. I know you’ll respond, because you’re an asshole, but I’m not getting into a conversation with you. I don’t read what you write. This is a one way street.
So just fuck off cunt.

MOD NOTE: OK Stop you two. Lets both step away please -M

I never tip in coffee places, and I never get a look either.

Fitzroy Sq wrote: when my Dad had triple bypass surgery, I don't recall anyone tipping the surgeon, though he certainly deserved it for saving his life.

The average cardiothoracic surgeon earns $423,757 yearly. Do they really need the tips? Also, if there was no tip jar in the ICU, it might be a little awkward to press a few coins into the doctor's palm.

Danny Hellman wrote: The average cardiothoracic surgeon earns $423,757 yearly. Do they really need the tips?

I knew someone would say this, and I almost pre-empted it in my earlier post but I didn't want to be presumptuous. This gets to the heart of the matter as to why people tip in the first place. Supposedly it started as an acronym: To Insure Proper Service (Of course this makes little much sense as tips come after service - unless it refers to paying it forward as in Karma).

So should tipping also be contingent on how much the person makes? If so, then the tip is no longer a reward system, but really a socialist tool to help subsidize the income of the worker. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but when I give someone money, I like to know why.

And yes, it would be odd to palm the doctor a C note for a job well done, but at one point not long ago it would have been odd to tip someone for pouring your coffee , so you never know.

^where did that 60K bypass number come from? I'd be very surprised if the true cost was that low being how hospital costs are all jacked up.

^ Ha. I was going to say that number seemed like it was pulled out of your ass. I think it is many times that amount - staff, equipment, supplies, etc. Anyway, back to tipping.....carry on.......

Julius Orange wrote: So if you tip a surgeon are you tipping 18% or 20%? If a bypass operation is $60,000 , then we're talking a $10,000 to $12,000 tip. That might be why no one tips them.

I suppose you'd have to tip depending on how the operation turned out. If you live, 20% - if you croak, 15%. Never below 15%, that would be rude.

Carnivore wrote: For the people that tip at a coffee shop even if you're not sitting down, do you tip if you get a coffee at Dunkin' Donuts? If not, what's the difference?

Similarly, do you tip people at mcdonalds? They're often performing a more dangerous job (hot oil+grills versus coffee makers) and are making far less in hourly wages.

Julius Orange wrote: [quote=Carnivore]For the people that tip at a coffee shop even if you're not sitting down, do you tip if you get a coffee at Dunkin' Donuts? If not, what's the difference?

I'm guessing the reason people don't tip at Dunkin is because they probably don't have a nefarious gimme jar on the counter. But if that "time to make the doughnuts" guy was still alive I'd tip him. He was a real hard worker getting up so early and all. In fact, I believe that's what killed him. That, or eating too many doughnuts.
Most DD's actually DO have a tip jar these days.

do mohels have tip jars?

Hamilton wrote: do mohels have tip jars?

they already get a tip. THE tip.

Wow, that shows how long it's been since I've been in a DD.

forget the mohel, the guy at the zoo who circumcises the elephants really makes out, granted he doesn't get much of a salary, but the tips are huge