Tipping Point

The dreaded tipping debate has re-ignited at Romenesko's Starbucks Gossip blog, and it's worth checking out if only to realize that the debate is not how much to tip for a latte but whether to tip at all. It's obviously a national blog because in Seattle, where there are tip jars on the counter at Subway, no one would entertain the idea of not tipping for a cup of coffee for ten seconds. So does Seattle's tipping addiction prove our moral superiority over the rest of the country, or do we simply need to subsidize our baristas so they can live within 40 miles of work?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dan in Food on August 28, 2006 12:08 PM

Comments [rss]

Dan

Me too, although I'm not sure I'm conciously redistributing income when I throw a dollar in the jar. "Here's another bill that won't be spent on tortal crap...like a $5 latte."

Seth

I tip always, for everything I can, as a method of redistributing income that I'd otherwise spend on total crap.

pocketnovel

Oh burn, hotlink denied. I should've known better. Anyway, insert photo of Seattle engulfed in an inferno of flames and tear gas here.

pocketnovel

There was a post about this on the Seattle LJ a few months back. And here's how it ended up:

Marc

Hmmmm.... I just about never tip for a cup of coffee at Starbucks or similar. If the barista did something complicated or special (I only order Americanos, which take only slightly more effort than a cup of drip), I'd consider it, but since I always pay on my debit card even if I wanted to I wouldn't have that option at most of the Starbucks/Tully's/SBCs. But since switching to the debit card to avoid having to pay withdrawl fees all the time, I've really questioned why we should tip someone for pooring and handling you a cup of coffee. There's virtually nothing a barista can do to improve quality or speed delivery, but they can ruin or slow down a cup. I can't believe tipping really is there to keep people from screwing up in the basic functions of their job, though.