I’ve been noticing a lot more electronic devices to insert my cc into at walk up places these days. They have a screen where you can add a tip and they often start at 15%. Today we went to get ice cream at a walk up place and that happened. Tbh, I’m not sure I consistently have tipped at that kind of place (when they’ve had a jar out) but now I somehow feel like I “should”. I’m guessing tipping has gone way up at places that use these systems.
@collage1 I just grabbed a couple of sandwiches at Subway and they had a tip option on the CC payment mode. I don’t like tipping and I don’t like the pressure and I don’t want to be the bad guy.
I pass on a lot of those “suggested” tips and buck the trend. I do give a dollar at some places with good service like a summer ice cream spot I frequent which is a sizable amount on a percentage basis for a $3 ice cream cone. 
In my area, those employees aren’t making a tipping wage, they are making above minimum wage.
We bought 2 bottles of wine at a local winery for $40. The tip window came up as a default- I skipped it.
Over the last couple of years we’ve had a lot of work done by a guy (Daniel) who does everything: carpentry, painting, basic plumbing, etc. He charges $42 per hour labor. He has a friend who has also worked here who is a very skilled cabinet-maker and great at tiling, fixing walls, etc. The friend, Chuck, has been in the process of moving up here from the NYC area. We’ve become friends, especially Daniel and I. I always offer them food and water and coffee, although they bring their own stuff and put it in my extra fridge.
Daniel gave me some of his chickens when he had to move. I give him eggs. He helps me with capturing hens who need tending to, and so forth. We support each other regarding our pet issues. (He has a dog who is quite ill.) Really, they have both been very supportive during my cancer treatment, and I supported Daniel when his D had a stillborn twin son. We have become pals, and talk about our lives.
I don’t tip them. Anything “extra” they do is included in their hourly rate. At least I assume so.
Even though they can’t see it at that moment, I think that if I was one of the workers who has to turn the electronic screen at that moment when it asks you the customer if you want to tip, I would feel REALLY awkward being the worker.
Re: this type of tipping, after feeling more “obligated” at first during this kind of circumstance, I finally gave myself permission to take a moment to really think about if this place/situation/order warrants a tip.
Re: home services we have tipped minimally on occasion. Recently we had our large concrete front porch replaced. Two very hard working men did the job and the original bid came in much lower than other bids - yet I had received great recommendations on their work. They did do a great job and were GREAT at communicating, clean up and put up with all my questions. At one point in tear down it took A LOT longer to remove the old porch which turned out to be filled with much more metal wire for binding than typical. They worked SO hard to get it done properly with this unexpected roadblock. When the job was done we did give them each $100 extra - not much considering but it was our thanks for making such a positive outcome in more ways than just the final product of porch.
We are in the midwest.
I live in Honolulu and I don’t tip at counters where you just order at the counter and pick up your food and take it to your table. If they want to offer more service than that, I’d consider it. The prices are high and i see no reason to tip when I’m doing the work not them.
I’ve started paying by cash at such places, so I don’t get that irksome tip screen.
I am fine with and always tip places where they take your order and being you what you ordered to your table. I feel other places really are just expanding the tip universe and I really dislike that.
The tip window is built into the software, since these places use the same software as true restaurants use. I feel no obligation or pressure when it comes up at a bakery or other place where I would never tip, I simply skip the tip or put in 0.
Workers at counter service restaurants are not “tipped” workers, so they are paid at least the higher of federal, state or local minimum wage, so I have never felt obligated to add a tip at the counter. However, at establishments where they serve you on real plates and with cutlery and someone clears your table, I will leave a few bucks depending on our party size in cash at the table.
Not a tipper as I expect the service provided to be professional. That’s the job.
Funny (now not then) story. Redid our master bath. Got quotes from a few. Was referred to one guy who fell in line with quotes so we chose him. His wife / business partner actually came out to do the quote. Turns out she came to do most of the work with an occasional stop by from her husband (who was working another project). In theory, all fine. Every time the husband showed up, he asked if I could front him some of the cost (for tile, etc.) I did because I would have been paying him upon completion in a few weeks anyway, but it never felt right.
So fast forward, upon completion I took the quote, subtracted what I paid already and settled up for the difference. They were clearly upset and said something like “This was a much bigger job than we thought and we spent way more on material than planned so at this price we’re actually losing money.” Never mentioned anything along the way.
I felt bad but c’mon, give me a break. They were actually wanting me to pay another couple of grand. (on a 10k quote). Of course I didn’t and it almost got confrontational with the husband. The work was warrantied, and we’ve needed additional service, but we didn’t call them back.
So unprofessional!
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 hour. If you live in a state with a lower state minimum wage, the workers would be entitled to the federal minimum wage $7.25. Workers get the higher of the state minimum wage and the federal minimum wage.
What about hotels? If I spend 1 night, or even 2-3 nights, but leave the DND sign on my door so the cleaning staff NEVER comes in my room, do you tip? I do not because no service has been provided to me.
Painters have a mean income of $41,840. Teachers had an average starting salary of $39,249, as of 2017-2018. While teachers make more over the course of their lifetime, a new teacher could make less than a mid-level painter. Teachers can have student loans to pay off that painters don’t have, leaving them with less disposable income.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes472141.htm
http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html
Hate the new norm at counter order food service places (like Panera Bread) where they ask you if you want to leave a tip as they ring you up? A tip for what? They didn’t provide any table service. They get regular wages (unlike waiters/ waitresses). It’s like they try to shame you into leaving a tip. I’d rather there be a tip jar. But they ask if I want to leave a tip.
I used to wash dishes, bus tables, cook and was a waiter. You tip a waiter and the waiter tips the rest of them. You don’t tip the person at the counter who takes your order. Drives me mental.
FWIW, I always tip at hotels, if where I am staying employs the sort of people who could really use an extra $5.00. Or will send it back to Mexico or Guatemala. I have had gratitude yelled out the window in my direction.
I also have started paying cash at bakeries and so on, to avoid that irritating tip screen.
It drives me crazy that DH leaves a tip at places with counter service. I don’t think he leaves the same percentage he leaves at sit-down restaurants, but I still think it’s unnecessary. He also leaves a tip when there’s a tip jar, usually at ice cream shops.
I recently had a 1 day paint job done in a NYC suburb and gave a $50 tip. I was extremely picky and the workers spent more time than they otherwise would have, and left at 7:30 pm. I felt they (2 guys) deserved it since they were so late getting home. Otherwise I wouldn’t have tipped.
What about furniture delivery?
I personally don’t think anyone should feel bad or have to defend tipping. If you’re moved to do it - whatever the circumstance - if you feel good about it, do it.
I like the idea of starting to pay for counter service with cash. Thanks for the suggestion!