I am completely over the tip jar thing.  I have always over tipped servers as I agree they are unpaid and I used to be one.  But that tip jar thing is out of control.  I tip my hairdresser and my nail lady and I guess that’s fair because they go above and beyond to make sure I’m happy with their work but the rest needs to stop.

First it was the dry cleaners.  Seriously?  I paid you to clean a shirt, you did, so what am I tipping you for?  Dunkin donuts, Starbucks – really?  You poured coffee in a cup, handed it to me and I need to tip you?  Isn’t your entire paycheck payment for pouring coffee in a cup and handing it to me?

Saturday I went to the farm in Plant City to pick strawberries.  You pull in, they hand you a cardboard quart box.  You go pick all the berries you like, drive back up front, return the box and pay.  And guess what?  Here’s a tip jar.  What exactly is that tip for?   Being open?  Being available to take my money?

Last night I finally decided to ask.  I stopped at the drive thru store. She handed me a loaf of bread, I paid and she stood next to the tip jar and asked did I want the change?  So I finally had to ask. I said what’s the tip jar for exactly?  Of course she had no idea what I was asking and said what do you mean.  I said, I’m not sure what I’d be tipping for since you’re a store and I just came in to buy something.  She said, “oh I don’t know, every place has one so we put it out and people like to tip”.

So the question has really been answered.  The tip jars exist simply because people put money in them if you put them on the counter.  Or more accurately, people feel obligated to put money in them if they are sitting out.  No more.  I’m putting my foot down.  I draw the line.  I don’t feel I need to tip where you already paid to do the job I’m tipping you for.

Want to tip the people that really serve you?  Every holiday, I give each of the 3 guys that pick up my trash, gift cards for lunch at a local place. They go above and beyond and clean up after us.   They always put my cans back and lay the lid neatly on top.  They pick up someone else’s mess every day and never put out a tip jar.   Buy lunch for a police officer or firemen.  Next time you’re eating and see a serviceman, buy them a meal.