ADVERTISEMENT

OT: Tipping for counter Service

Do you tip for counter service?

  • Yes I tip a $1

    Votes: 14 16.5%
  • Yes I tip 10%

    Votes: 15 17.6%
  • Yes I tip 15%

    Votes: 9 10.6%
  • Yes I tip 20% or more

    Votes: 9 10.6%
  • No I don’t tip for this basic service.

    Votes: 38 44.7%

  • Total voters
    85
How about when some hotels will add an automatic tip for ordering room service, and then also sneak in a line for gratuity hoping that you don't catch that you are already tipping?
 
Last edited:
I usually only “over tip”, or tip when it’s not expected, when I see the little old lady working because there’s (most likely) been a medical emergency, or some other reason for her to come out of retirement to go back to work.

I have a real soft spot for them.

Otherwise, it’s the normal 15 to 20%.
 
It all depends on who does what! Do I go pick out my stuff out and bring it to a counter? That is usually 10%. If the person behind the counter takes my order and then goes about taking care of my stuff.....that is 15%.

When I am sitting down and someone comes to me and takes my order and brings my stuff back then that is 20%

All depends on who takes care of the stuff!~
 
Just thought I’d ask this question so people can anonymously and honestly post their poll response. Whether I’m at the 6 pack beer shop, or basic counter service place, I’m being prompted more an more to add a tip. When I get my coffee, I don’t get a latte or goofy complex style, I just get a standard house coffee. If I’m at a place like Panera, I’m pouring the coffee myself but being prompted to tip for the cashier to ring my order and hand me a cup. If I’m at a full service restaurant I generally tip 20% if the service is average and 25% if it’s good. Although when dining on my companies dime, I’m only allowed to tip 18%. But that’s not what this is about. Im Just wondering what other people do for these untraditional counter service type things where the employees are making an hourly wage and not a servers $3.00/hr wage.
Being that there were so many people CHOOSING NOT to work during Covid, etc, I greased kids at the counter for showing up and working. I wanted to reward people choosing work over indolence. I have kept the habit going unless I get terrible counter service.
 
I guess I'm in the minority here and rarely tip for counter service. At Starbucks, the baristas are making at least minimum, not a tip-based income like a sit down restaurant, correct? And usually I'm taking my drink away in a paper cup; they are not brining it out to my table, clearing it, seeing if I want a refill. So why feel the need to tip in that situation?

I also had my carpets cleaned and the tech asked if I wanted to add a tip. Again is that appropriate if they aren't paid below minimum?
I tip some Starbucks better than others depending on how friendly, fast and accurate they are. In the Nh, the one at Siebert road is the worst in all these regards. They are downright nasty most of the time. The other two locations on McKnight are far better and I reward them accordingly. As far as whether they warrant being tipped at all due to what they receive, I don’t consider it, I figure that they aren’t getting much whatever it is and it’s not the greatest job, yet it is vital to addicts like me. So I tip.
 
So out here in the sticks, the expectation for tipping is very different and I always find myself in the awkward position of people refusing tips. The way I've found around that is to leave some cookies in the mailbox at Christmas or some beer with a bow on it on my trash can. Seems to be received more eagerly even if it's less. Even the barber looked at me weird the first time I tipped him and then tipped him extra at Christmas. Servers in small diners are shocked if you give them a "normal" tip.

I'm with @Pitt79 in that tipping feels more and more like a scam. It shouldn't be a source of income. It should be something extra. I also try to give cash when I tip so that it's up to whoever is getting it to decide what to report.
 
yeah, i never understood the one driver doing all the work. it just seems so hard and not very efficient. WM has one driver and one guy on back..

Being a driver with no help, man that has to be a long freakin day. that is 100% beast mode. i used to work with a guy who did that in his younger days and he told me it was about .25c per house, so he said it would average out to about 55k-60k a year. not terrible but man, that's earning every cent of that paycheck..

Seems like the company would be losing money doing that. By just adding a person to the back, they should be able to more than double their contracts. I never got it either.
 
Yeah, I could put a body out and they wouldn't question it.

My parents' collectors on the other hand (borough guys), probably bring a measuring tape with them just to have an excuse not to take anything that doesn't meet the codes.
waste management takes EVERYTHING. buckets of old paint, chemicals, anything. it's great.. you are probably right, a body or two, no questions asked..
 
I usually only “over tip”, or tip when it’s not expected, when I see the little old lady working because there’s (most likely) been a medical emergency, or some other reason for her to come out of retirement to go back to work.

I have a real soft spot for them.

Otherwise, it’s the normal 15 to 20%.
The other thing is, that little old lady is probably working at a local diner instead of an upscale restaurant. 20% is plenty when the food costs $ 300. The old lady could be working just as hard, but the meal she's serving only costs $40. I'll usually give her 30%.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireballZ
How about when some hotels will add an automatic tip for ordering room service, and then also sneak in a line for gratuity hoping that you don't catch that you are already tipping?
Yeah- I never understood that tactic. It can make the guest/customer feel uncomfortable.

If you want to give more because the server went above and beyond - they should probably not add a line for an additional tip- it should up to the guest to give a little extra cash on your own.
 
Last edited:
A friend from Australia bought me an Ice Cream Cake and I ordered a "hot coffee" when I picked it up. The girl at the register asked me if I wanted it to be hot.. I of course said yes, so then she rang up the coffee and spun the monitor around and asked for a tip. I reluctantly added a tip, then waited while she spent the next 10 minutes figuring out how to brew coffee. Not going back, not a fan of people spinning monitors at me and asking me to tip. Not a fan of people asking if I want hot coffee hot. Not a fan of tipping for basic counter service.
 
I probably wouldn't. I think it depends on the circumstance. The barber owns the shop but I still tip him. If they were serving me at the diner, yes. If it was counter service or a delivery, no.

I agree. If it's Tony's Pizza and Tony gives me the pizza, then no tip.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pittdan77
Different situations call for different amounts.
- If I'm driving to a restaurant and picking up food I might tip 10%
- If I am at a sit down restaurant it is between 15-30% depending on the service
- drink at a bar, I usually run a tab and end up paying at least 20-30%
- a one off drink at a bar at least a dollar or 2 per drink. Amount depends if I go there regularly or expect to order again that night, more for those situations
- counters like starbucks - no tip
tip jars - in the rare time when I use cash I might throw my change in there because its a pain to carry change but i rarely use cash
This is pretty much exactly what I do.
 
if you guys are going to tip employees in the service industry, at least have the common courtesy of giving them the tip in cash and not on the debit card/credit card.. they get taxed on that.

i feel like we should all know this by now. seriously, it makes a big difference, tip them in cash. whether its a barber, bartender, server, coffee place, deli or whatever. tip in cash..
 
I actually never thought about the mail man. But I usually tip the garbage men at Christmas. The problem is, I don’t know if it’s the same trash guys each week. And yes, I’ve done cash and have also done gift cards for lunch.

what about the AAA guy who jump starts your car or gets the keys out of your locked car?
Definitely tip the AAA guy. Also, garbage men when putting out oversized items.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fk_Pitt
if you guys are going to tip employees in the service industry, at least have the common courtesy of giving them the tip in cash and not on the debit card/credit card.. they get taxed on that.

i feel like we should all know this by now. seriously, it makes a big difference, tip them in cash. whether its a barber, bartender, server, coffee place, deli or whatever. tip in cash..
But it is harder to stiff them when the option comes up and you feel like a heel not doing it. So they figure they get more tips overall despite the taxation
 
Another thing on tipping and this makes alot of sense and that is places that you frequent, you tip well. That way up front they know they are going to be tipped well so they will take care of you (and likely won't spit in your food) but seriously this just makes alot of sense.

Also, on comped items, especially if a bartender or waitress comps you, you should tip well and as the comped item is part of the bill.
 
I probably wouldn't. I think it depends on the circumstance. The barber owns the shop but I still tip him. If they were serving me at the diner, yes. If it was counter service or a delivery, no.
The situation that really bugs me goes back a couple of years. I ran a pickleball tournament and we wanted to provide a mountain kind of gathering. We rented a barn and hired a caterer for BBQ. The caterer shows up with his wife and sets up/tears down the buffet. He handed me the bill over $1,000 and essentially stated that he expected a tip. with a suggested 20% right on the bill.
 
Really? I never gave a tip in stores to the cashier where you get the stuff yourself and just take it to a cashier to pay, I didn't think anyone did?
Local beer distributor does this...I get the beer myself, carry it to the counter myself, what exactly is the tip jar for? Only service I can think of is if they carry it out to the car for you, which they never asked me.
 
The situation that really bugs me goes back a couple of years. I ran a pickleball tournament and we wanted to provide a mountain kind of gathering. We rented a barn and hired a caterer for BBQ. The caterer shows up with his wife and sets up/tears down the buffet. He handed me the bill over $1,000 and essentially stated that he expected a tip. with a suggested 20% right on the bill.
In that case, I would dispute the tip. Not so much because they don't deserve it but it wasn't quoted. Like, if you want 20% more, just charge it. Don't play me.
 
The other side of tipping, don't be a jerk. Some people let their kids trash a table at an eatery and then think a decent tip compensates. It doesn't. You just screwed over that server because they now have to clean up your mess and their other patrons suffer. This is no joke, my kid dumped something in a restaurant one time when she was about six. I told her we had to clean it up. Even had my daughter use the little floor sweeper while I picked up the bigger pieces. It's just respect, in my opinion. I know my job is difficult enough without extra nonsense. Not doing that to someone else.
 
Another thing on tipping and this makes alot of sense and that is places that you frequent, you tip well. That way up front they know they are going to be tipped well so they will take care of you (and likely won't spit in your food) but seriously this just makes alot of sense.

Also, on comped items, especially if a bartender or waitress comps you, you should tip well and as the comped item is part of the bill.
back when i was younger and seemed like i was going to a wedding every other weekend, at the open bar i always got a drink real early and made sure the person slinging drinks saw me throw a 20 in. i'd be very deliberate about it that way they were hooking me up all night..

back in my younger days when you actually wanted to go to weddings and it wasnt a chore like it is now..
 
Don't you think you should try counseling first?
Here in NZ the equivalent to AAA is called "AA". Everytime I renew it I tell my wife I've been in AA for x years now. She tells me it's not working.
 
This lends to other questions.

- Do you tip your mail carrier?
- Trash collectors?
- People delivering furniture or appliances?

We give Christmas money to mail and trash collectors. I'll often give delivery guys a $20 and tell them to get lunch.
I give the mailman and garbage man a very modest gift at Christmas time. Usually a $25 gift card to Giant Eagle or Target.

I have sometime tipped furniture and appliance delivery folks, but that is only if they do something that I consider special. Like move the old one somewhere (example, putting my old refrigerator in the spot I had for it in the garage). Or just for showing up on time. :)
 
Just thought I’d ask this question so people can anonymously and honestly post their poll response. Whether I’m at the 6 pack beer shop, or basic counter service place, I’m being prompted more an more to add a tip. When I get my coffee, I don’t get a latte or goofy complex style, I just get a standard house coffee. If I’m at a place like Panera, I’m pouring the coffee myself but being prompted to tip for the cashier to ring my order and hand me a cup. If I’m at a full service restaurant I generally tip 20% if the service is average and 25% if it’s good. Although when dining on my companies dime, I’m only allowed to tip 18%. But that’s not what this is about. Im Just wondering what other people do for these untraditional counter service type things where the employees are making an hourly wage and not a servers $3.00/hr wage.
My answer is sometimes. At the places where I'm a regular, I almost always tip and if I don't have any cash on me or order on an app or something, I will make it up to them by tipping double the next trip. And if it is a large or complex order at a place where I'm not a regular, I usually tip. But outside of that, it is rare for me.

I like now how they tell you to put your CC in the card reader and that it will "ask you a question". That question is always about a tip. Never about how my day is or how the service was. Nope. Just a high tech way for the counter person to put their hand out. :)
 
So out here in the sticks, the expectation for tipping is very different and I always find myself in the awkward position of people refusing tips. The way I've found around that is to leave some cookies in the mailbox at Christmas or some beer with a bow on it on my trash can. Seems to be received more eagerly even if it's less. Even the barber looked at me weird the first time I tipped him and then tipped him extra at Christmas. Servers in small diners are shocked if you give them a "normal" tip.

I'm with @Pitt79 in that tipping feels more and more like a scam. It shouldn't be a source of income. It should be something extra. I also try to give cash when I tip so that it's up to whoever is getting it to decide what to report.
you give the garbage man, whos driving a commercial vehicle, alcohol during his shift?


just kidding Dan77, completely messing with you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pittdan77
i give a few $20's on the garbage day pickup before christmas. you are right though, you got to be there when they come. dont leave an envelope on the garbage can with "merry christmas" on it cause it could get thrown away or taken by someone else..

i've never tipped my mailman for christmas. not sure why. just never thought of it.. it's a she too and she's kind of hot..
I wait for the garbage man a couple weeks before Christmas. Not a big deal because they almost always come within 10 minutes of when I normally leave for work anyway. And since my neighborhood only has one way in/out and I'm on the side of the street where they pick up on their way out, I have plenty of notice of when they are going to be there. Same thing for the recycle man.

The mail carrier is easier. I just put an envelope in my box with "for Mail Carrier - Happy Holidays" on it and put the little flag up. They usually leave a thank you note the following day.
 
I wait for the garbage man a couple weeks before Christmas. Not a big deal because they almost always come within 10 minutes of when I normally leave for work anyway. And since my neighborhood only has one way in/out and I'm on the side of the street where they pick up on their way out, I have plenty of notice of when they are going to be there. Same thing for the recycle man.

The mail carrier is easier. I just put an envelope in my box with "for Mail Carrier - Happy Holidays" on it and put the little flag up. They usually leave a thank you note the following day.
i need to start tipping the mail lady. no excuse for me on that one.
 





you give the garbage man, whos driving a commercial vehicle, alcohol during his shift?


just kidding Dan77, completely messing with you.
was golfing with my boy in Hilton Head this summer. When I returned our cart to the clubhouse, I realized that I didn’t have any cash to tip the kid who was the starter and had to wait at the end of his day for us to bring the cart back. I had three beers left in the cooler and asked him if he drank beer. I explained that all I had to tip him with were the three beers. His eyes lit up like it was Christmas Day. I don’t even know if he was 21 but I’m sure he was college aged. He was excited about that tip. And here I thought it sucked because it was Miller Lites.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT