Tip Jars

[freedavis]

I never use the tip jar cause I dont understand concept at all. 

[freedomcash11]

It all depends on the service and conditions. If the food is very well cook and arrived in a fashionable manner or the employee appears to be very busy and still manages mine well. I feel obligated to give them a tip. But I agree, it is kinda sad seeing the tip jar appear all over the streets. It's like begging.

[countrygirl12]

I have not seen these jars "everywhere" I go.  I have seen them in a couple places where the service is designed to customize something for the customer - like my local Subway.  I also see these at Mongolian barbecue inside Chinese Buffets (or a exclusive Mongolian Barbecue restaurant).

For the Mongolian - the tip jar is there to tip the chef cooking your meal, where like at some of those Japanese restaurants that cook the food at your table, they put on a little show while you watch your food cook, so that tip is (1) customary and (2) like giving money to street performers when you appreciate the performance.

I do occasionally tip at Subway - typically it's when the staff goes above an beyond.  I'm a "regular" there, so when an employee remembers my entire order without input from me - I provide a tip for that above and beyond service.  I don't always tip, but occasionally when they impress me, I appreciate they allow me to tip.

I've actually seen more charity jars for people to place change into than tip jars, and actually see places that have "no tipping" signs. 

But that's just my experience.

It may depend on where you live.  I have heard that in the Northern states (back when all grocery stores carried your groceries to your car) that tipping the clerk who carried out the groceries was the norm.  While in Southern states tipping the person who carries out the groceries is not the norm.

I have also heard that in Northern states people will come up while you are sitting at a red light and clean your windshield and then expect you to tip them.  And have actually retaliated if you did not.  It just seems like more and more people expect to be paid for every single act they do.

[jford87]

If someone goes above and beyond, I feel that they have earned extra money. People in these types of jobs don't get bonuses, so it is a way to reward good service. There are people who are always happy and make me happy when they serve me. To me, that is worth something extra.

[bhiett]

You might want to move to Australia--there is no tipping at all in that country.

[countrygirl12]

You might want to move to Australia--there is no tipping at all in that country.

lol I don't have to tip here.  I don't eat out and have no problem ignoring the beg for money jars.