Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

wsj.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

251–260 of 508 posts

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

#251

Post by tptacek »

SilasX wrote: post #243
tptacek wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can be the person who doesn't tip the counter-service worker if you like. The iPad didn't create that tipping expectation; before there were iPads, there were glass jars full of cash. People probably won't judge you for not tipping at a coffee shop. Like I said, I find it's easier to go through life just tipping wherever it's asked, and not worrying whether I'm being an asshole to service workers. I'm not saying…

If you're ever wondering what a good use for the term "virtue signaling" is, this comment would be it: advocacy of something impractical for the typical person but which makes you look good. "Just give money in every transaction that labels it a tip at PoS. What's the problem? Why do you have to think about whether the demand is merited? I can afford it, and I find it worthwhile to know I didn't break any rules."

That was a very rude way to make the point that you think some people can't afford to tip for their coffee shop muffin.

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

#252

Post by tptacek »

mtberatwork wrote: post #250
tptacek wrote: post #209

Hacker News threads about tipping are always rough. US tipping is not complicated. You are being asked to share with a service worker's employer some of the burden of compensating them. The notion that you're rewarding exceptional service is a polite fiction. Depending on where you are, the tip is either expected or it isn't. Unfortunately for the mindset of a typical software developer, there won't be much clarity o…

> A very easy, relatively pleasant way to get through life in the US if you're well-off enough that you routinely buy coffee in expensive coffee shops: just always tip. Anywhere there's a tip line. You never have to figure anything out, and sometimes people really appreciate it. Well, unless you are the next person in line who hadn't planned on leaving a tip and now feels guilty/obligated because the person in front…

Life is tough.

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

#253

Post by scroot »

ApolloFortyNine wrote: post #202
sharemywin wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A lot of states are paid less if it's a job with tips: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipped_wage

Also on that page: >If wages and tips do not equal the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour during any week, the employer is required to increase cash wages to compensate

Do you think in a real workplace people are going to constantly bring this up with their managers?

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

#254

Post by module0000 »

>> You press the middle button so you don’t look cheap to the people behind you in line

The reasoning is "so you don't look cheap". If "looking cheap" matters to you, shame will rule your life and your actions. What other people think generally does not matter - assuming "other people" are not your boss, spouse, or someone in a direct position to affect you. Not trying to make a case for becoming a sociopath, but they definitely don't experience that guilt described in the article.

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

#256

Post by ballenf »

tptacek wrote: post #231
SilasX wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure that's a relevant point to make in the context of this article, because there's widespread disagreement (leaning toward "no") on whether tipping for that muffin is required in the sense that a tip for dining-with-table-service is. A guaranteed 20% for a coffee shop muffin at the counter is definitely not expected. Or were you just intending a pre-emptive general critique of the three people who might use…

You can be the person who doesn't tip the counter-service worker if you like. The iPad didn't create that tipping expectation; before there were iPads, there were glass jars full of cash. People probably won't judge you for not tipping at a coffee shop. Like I said, I find it's easier to go through life just tipping wherever it's asked, and not worrying whether I'm being an asshole to service workers. I'm not saying…

> not worrying whether I'm being an asshole to service workers

I feel like tipping is perpetuating the asshole behavior of owners underpaying employees. I actually feel like I'm making the world a slightly worse place when I tip out of guilt or fear of judgment from those around me. But I clearly know I'm in the small minority with this view.

(Purely in the circumstances discussed here. For traditional full service settings, I'd call myself a generous tipper.)

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

#257

Post by lotsofpulp »

pbiggar wrote: post #95
n1000 wrote: post #16

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

Some advice from a less recent immigrant: tip everywhere. It's much simpler than figuring out the rules, esp (as the existence of the article points out) the rules change. The old 15% became 20%. The places you used to tip (solely personal service situations like a waiter or hairdresser) became everywhere. If it was done right, everyone would be paid well, there would be no tips, and your stuff would just cost 20% mo…

No, the old 15% is not 20% (it’s a percentage so it’s automatically inflation adjusted with the price of food), and you definitely don't need to tip everyone. I don't even mind not tipping waiters, it's not the customer's job to fix stupid minimum wage laws.

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

#258

Post by tptacek »

jasode wrote: post #240
tptacek wrote: post #209

Hacker News threads about tipping are always rough. US tipping is not complicated. You are being asked to share with a service worker's employer some of the burden of compensating them. The notion that you're rewarding exceptional service is a polite fiction. Depending on where you are, the tip is either expected or it isn't. Unfortunately for the mindset of a typical software developer, there won't be much clarity o…

> US tipping is not complicated. [...] just always tip. Anywhere there's a tip line. Well, it's been too complicated for me because the comments in this thread show I've been doing it wrong. For example, I sometimes picked up "to go" orders from Chili's restaurant[1]. In my mind, if I sat down to eat, I tipped the server. On the other hand, if I phoned in an order and picked it up, I didn't tip . Yes, I noticed that…

You want to feel real great? Here's a question: do you always tip your hotel housekeeping? It's gotten harder over the last 10 years since we're carrying so much less cash, and there's no tip line on the hotel bill. But you are hella expected to tip housekeeping: that is a rough job, and a very poorly treated workforce.

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

#259

Post by IshKebab »

ghaff wrote: post #215
frereubu wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

The UK may be one of the most potentially confusing places. Some places where a waiter takes your order include "optional" service charges and others don't. And, of the ones that don't, some prompt you to add a tip on the PoS terminal and others don't.

It's not really confusing. Basically, don't tip anywhere except restaurants with table service where you pay at the table after the food. Then it is 10% (unless they did particularly good or bad service).

Pay at the bar before receiving food? Don't tip.

Buying drinks at a bar? Don't tip.

Ordering an Uber? Don't tip.

Etc.

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

#260

Post by skh »

tptacek wrote: post #209

Hacker News threads about tipping are always rough. US tipping is not complicated. You are being asked to share with a service worker's employer some of the burden of compensating them. The notion that you're rewarding exceptional service is a polite fiction. Depending on where you are, the tip is either expected or it isn't. Unfortunately for the mindset of a typical software developer, there won't be much clarity o…

I agree with the tenor of your post but there has been tipping creep. A line must be drawn! It wasn't too long ago that coffee shops did not have tips. I'm old enough that it's been ingrained into me that I don't need to tip if I'm placing the order and waiting for it to be fulfilled. I don't tip in fast food places and I certainly never tip in coffee shops.
Post reply on HN