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You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

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Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#42

I don't feel guilt when they swivel that ipad around, more like annoyance. When I'm asked to tip for someone handing me a cup of coffee, I say no tip. We should really be pushing to get away from this relic of slavery, and don't tip unless it's absolutely clear we need to; i.e. at a sit down restaurant.

Ouch, having worked in cafes and restaurants as an undergrad I pretty much always tip 20%. Is it absurd? Of course, but given how badly most waitstaff are paid, the idea that you will somehow eliminate the practice by stiffing a few barristas seems both sadistic and highly unlikely to change the world. Until robots hand me muffins, I accept it as a tax on eating out.

It's only "stiffing" if we start with the assumption they are supposed to be tipped.

I'm not well-versed in the history of coffee shops, but it seems to me that it is not a well-established norm -- as compared to bars and restaurants, for example. But I'm happy to be corrected if I'm mistaken about this.

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is tipping at a sit down restaurant not a relic of slavery? The idea that restaurant personnel earn so little that they need to live on tips is barbarous.

Yet strangely, the loudest voices AGAINST doing away with tipping in favor of a wage are often wait staff themselves.

That's because it would make it harder for them to continue committing tax fraud.

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#45
post #12

“But my A/B tests proved that a 20% rather than a 15% default led to an increase in total tipping, and vindicating my claim of a downside-free benefit to ‘nudging’ customers to tip more!”

Downside is you may be 'nudging' your customers not to come back!

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#46
post #8
post #2

From the article: > In Connecticut, Mr. Dimyan, who says he feels his $3 coffee is pricey enough as it is, vented about the electronic tip prompts in a Twitter post earlier this month. > Square replied from its official Twitter account: “Tap `No Tip.’” Or.... Pay cash for a $3.00 item?

> Pay cash for a $3.00 item? Do HNers still use cash? It's been years since I carried a wallet that has a slot for cash.

For privacy reasons, yes...

and cause I like to play cards.

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#47
post #16

Haha. Glad to see this. I’m new to the US and thought the tip was expected...

The tip is expected only when you're at a real restaurant. No tip is required for fast food places. No tip is required up front before you're served.

You should tip hair stylists and restaurant staff that brings you food or drink. I generally only tip 15 percent and I never tip at a buffet.

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#48
post #31
post #17

No guilt. No tip. Never. If they want more than the listed price they should raise the listed price. Social customs/expectations/guilt/whatever be damned. I never tip. Never have, never will.

The people you hurt by not tipping aren't the people who set the prices.

That's simply not my problem. Why should I care? If they are unhappy with their wages they should complain to their employer. It's not my job to fix their wages.

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#49
post #29

Not tipping in America rarely if ever gets you poor service. You have to return to the same business and happen to get served by the same server enough times for them to remember you. It does deprive the server of a living wage.

A British friend of mine was chased down the street and harangued by a waitress when he tipped 10% (pretty standard in the UK for decent-if-not-amazing service). I get the feeling they'd remember someone who left a tip which was that underwhelming, let alone no tip, wouldn't they?

Re: You Want 20% for Handing Me a Muffin? The Awkward Etiquette of iPad Tipping

#50
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a bit extreme. I hope you don't eat at sit down restaurants often.

I do. But I never tip. They get the price they ask, that I can see before I order. That should be enough or they should change their prices/wages so tipping is not necessary. And no, I don't feel the least guilty about that.

Lmao you must be fun at parties
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