The Starbucks Tipping Point
We may have had the same thought after reading the LAist’s article: Sad Highland Park Starbucks Called The "Most Depressing Starbucks in America"
Like, if your thought was: “I missed Dumb Starbucks. I will not miss Sad Starbucks. Not if I can help it.” Then yes, same brain! Twinzees.
Or, when you found out that Dumb Starbucks was actually Nathan Fielder's (Nathan For You Comedy Central) elaborate prank, and you thought: "F*** wish I'd thought of it." Then again, same-zees. We so think the same!
On my way to work this morning, I stopped at Sad Starbucks. I am here to report that all points mentioned in Trinh’s August 14 article ring loud and clear with bells of absolute truth. There was no sad Keanu that I could locate, but everything else? So cold. So concrete. Just sad.
It turns out, however, that what makes me sad about this Starbucks, is not its poorly executed aesthetic. (Which I'll mention the neighborhood council has a lot - maybe too much - to do with.)
It is actually what make me sad about every Starbucks in America: the tip jar.
A sparse few lonely dollars. A smattering of pennies at the base. (Srsly? Pennies?) And no culture of tipping that can be found in the business (I've searched corporate websites, blogs), among the customers (by observation), or even from the baristas (I've asked them.) No support for the idea of tipping your barista. Not that I can identify, at least.
Yet still there is a tip jar. A standard issue, clear plastic, "Starbucks" tip jar. Just chillin.'
I have traveled quite a bit. In my years as a coffee drinker (more than half my life) and domestic travel enthusiast - I have seen maybe 1 chock-full Starbucks tip jar, ever. My completely made-up statistic based upon that fact is this: 1 in 100 Starbucks tips jars have more than 1 dollar in it.
Now, that's sad, Starbucks.
The tip jar conundrum has had me so perplexed, that in recent weeks I began to conduct an informal poll among pretty much anyone who drinks coffee at Starbucks. Which is everyone. (Come on. Stop it with that face, you.)
Yes. Even the gorgeous tattoo-ed supermodel in training that pulls shots at Sunset Junction’s famous be-tiled coffee bar, will post a selfie to the tune of “sorry-not-sorry” on one of those “I want a Frappuccino and I don’t care who knows it” days. We've all had those days. And if you have not taken those selfies - do it next time. No shame here!
If you're curious, here are (anecdotally) some of the responses received in my informal poll:
Against tipping Starbucks baristas:
I don't go to Starbucks. (Guess you can't tip, if you don't go there.)
It’s a corporation. It doesn’t need my tip money to stay afloat.
The baristas just push a button.
Starbucks is fast food. We (Americans?) don't tip for fast food.
The company has good benefits, the baristas are taken care of by their employer.
No one else tips. Why should I?
I could leave a tip, but it won’t really make a difference to anybody.
I like my local coffee bar. If I tip the baristas well, maybe my local coffee bar will stay open. But Starbucks? Starbucks will still be open, if I tip – or if I don’t.
In favor of tipping Starbucks baristas:
I used to work at a Starbucks in Chicago. I made about 20 extra bucks a week in tips.
I used to work at a Starbucks in Pasadena. I made about 50 extra bucks a week in tips.
I go to the same Starbucks every morning. I always tip. I know these people. They know me. I care about their well-being. My tip is a gesture, and it acknowledges that fact in a small way.
Disclaimer: the folks I spoke to that worked at Starbucks, were there between the years of 2006 and 2008. Well before mobile payments - iPhone craziness, all that. As far as tips go, mobile payment applications may have changed the amount of tips baristas get each week. Call me a pessimist, but I'm doubtful.
My coffeequestion for you is:
When you visit Starbucks (and come on, don’t give me that face)… do you tip your barista? If so, why? If not, why not?
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