The Tip Jar

Is anyone else tired of seeing RAMPANT tip jars all over the place?

It's getting a little OUT OF CONTROL!

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Now, please don't get me wrong...I believe in tipping for many service individuals, especially the ones who receive most of their income from our tips. Servers, doormen, cab drivers, delivery drivers, etc...they all get generous tips from me for the service they are providing.

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I am not talking about them...

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Last week, I walked into a Quiznos sandwich shop. They sure do have some DELICIOUS sandwiches there! After ordering this treat of a sandwich, I walked to the register and sure enough...a tip jar. Really? Am i supposed to tip at Fast Food restaurants? WHAT THE...

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There's also a little Thai restaurant by my house that suddenly now has a tip jar up on the counter. I order take-out from there all the time. Maybe i am wrong, or maybe i am just stuck in the past..who knows, but I don't think that i need to tip them for walking in to pick up my Pad Thai. There wasn't anybody serving me...and i do not count ringing up my order as serving me. I also do not count the cook preparing the food as serving me. I mean, don't they pay them a wage for that already.

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That would be like me asking you all for a tip for the service of this AMAZING blog that i am providing you to read. :)

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I tip for service; not for bags I'm handed.

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I have a desk job during the day. I provide a service constantly to clients, other co-workers, etc. I do not get a tip for my hard work.

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I've even seen a tip jar at gas stations, the hot dog vendor, a Taco Bell...SERIOUSLY???

It's starting to get a little out of control. BUT, it works! Many people just can't say no, so they feel obliged to tip wherever and whenever...Especially on credit card slips! You know what I'm talking about; the little line that says 'tip' above where you sign your name. How many of you have looked at that, and left a tip because you didn't want to seem rude or not generous. I know...cuz i've done it!

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A few years back, there was a chain coffee shop by where i was living, in which the employees were forbidden to set out a tip jar. The managers did this because they wanted to provide a comfortable place for the customers to come and not have to feel worried or ashamed about not tipping. It created a nice atmosphere.

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In my opinion, coffee shops are the debatable ones. If i am only ordering a coffee or tea, something that is easily poured and served, then i do not tip. If I am ordering a more complicated drink, then i usually will leave a tip for the barista who is creating it.

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Look...the bottom line is, I tip for service. Heck, i usually even tip generously for BAD service! ('cuz i'm a nice guy like that...). But for these random, ridiculous tip cups laying around, you DO NOT have to feel guilty in any way for not tipping if you don't feel like the experience warrants a tip!

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Don't worry Peapod delivery guy ('cuz i know you read this blog!), your tip is still here waiting...even if you show up a little late.