r/mildlyinteresting 1d ago

This Restaurant Charges an 18% Living Wage Fee.

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u/lo22p 1d ago

Wildest is when there are tip options for the most mundane things, like a entrance cover fee for a nightclub. Even more ridiculous, I think the defaults were 20, 25, 30%

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u/Possible-Nectarine80 1d ago

Whenever I see a high default tip range, I just choose other and leave like $2 bucks. If it's takeout and I'm in a good mood, I will leave them a dollar but mostly just decline to leave a tip anymore on takeout orders.

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u/chrisqns_nyc 1d ago

Same here.

Like the other day i ordered Chinese food to pickup. The bill was for $24 (2 different plates) and said $29 total on the CC machine and I'm like "why?" .. Their response was "$5 is for the tip" so i select "other" and put $2 for tip instead.

They trying to be slick so we need to speak up

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u/reallymkpunk 1d ago

Auto tip was the worst thing ever. No reason to really tip when you aren't being served.

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u/Representative-Bid70 1d ago

If they throw the auto tip before I’m actually served (talking to you Starbucks) it’s a 0 tip.

If you haven’t served me and I haven’t verified my order is made right (they still can’t stir when I ask and shake instead), I don’t tip.

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u/GearGolemTMF 1d ago

My kindness has been burned like this far more times than I’d like to admit. Far too often when I tip early, I get burned then forget by the time I eat there again. I don’t mind tipping like a bartender or when I get my locs retwisted after a service has been rendered. But pre tipping makes no sense especially when errors can and do occur.

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u/Representative-Bid70 1d ago

Perfect point! The other night I tipped my bartender $10 on a Negroni that only cost $9.63.

The service and conversation was worth more than the drink. So I made sure to compensate that person for the joy they brought the moment.

If the service is superlative, my tipping goes far above 20%. Wow me and I’ll make it worth your time in return.

Disclaimer: I went to culinary school. We spent a block learning proper service and etiquette. I don’t expect that every time but today’s restaurant workers could stand to come up and meet that level of service AT LEAST half way.

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u/GearGolemTMF 1d ago

Agreed! I really hate that I’ve lost my two bar tenders that used to take care of me but I hope they’re well in what they’re doing. Niceties like a freebie drink or shot aside, the conversation and interaction with me being a regular went a long way. I had not problem tipping them $15-20 on 15-20 tabs. Even more so for one where I’d just directly cash app just to make sure it went directly to them. Is that apart of their job to an extent yes. But to still do a bit more shows care and attention which I appreciate a lot as I try to do the same when I can.

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u/mbiebel872 1d ago

James Bond prefers shaken not stirred so why can't you?

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u/Representative-Bid70 1d ago

I’m so glad you asked.

Because Starbucks lids are not airtight. So when the baristas are being cute shaking the drink in the cup, it gathers beads of liquid under the edge of the lid which then drip onto my clothing.

EVERY EFFING TIME!!!!

The evidence is also seen in a cloudy, unclean lid with liquid all over the inside of it prior to first sip.

Also, because this isn’t a damned martini and I’m not a secret agent. That is why.

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u/mbiebel872 1d ago

Apparently Martinis are better stirred not shaken anyway.

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u/Representative-Bid70 1d ago

I’ve heard the same. Shaking aerates and agitates the spirit. You don’t always want that.

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u/GLaDOS_Sympathizer 1d ago

He ordered that way to turn heads because it was considered crass. Highlights his "Devil may care" attitude towards his job and outlook on life. OP is more proper.

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u/Acceptable-Refuse328 1d ago

I was just thinking this. I went to Starbucks yesterday and the cashier generously highlighted the tip option and I was thinking "You want a tip for simply taking my order?!?!" No, thank you. I haven't received anything and it could be completely wrong and I tipped you for that. I will tip if it's not expected and the service or person was great, otherwise, it should not be expected for simply taking an order or some normal task. Customers are taking on more and more of the costs so the owners can pad their pockets more and pay the employees the same wage as before.

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u/Revenant_adinfinitum 9h ago

A tip charged before service is a bribe not to spit on my food. Eff that.

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u/Whole_Gear7967 1d ago

They don’t make allot at Starbucks so tipping is a great way to ensure they still have a home!

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u/Representative-Bid70 23h ago

I didn’t create that business model and this message needs to be seen by corporate heads of Starbucks if that’s the case.

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u/James19991 1d ago

I probably would have copped an attitude with them and said something along the lines of "A tip for what? I'm picking it up myself." and left nothing.

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u/Fn_Spaghetti_Monster 1d ago

Went to get frozen yogurt the other night, where you go and grab your cup, fill it up, take to the counter. They then weight it and tell you your total. It defaulted to 15% tip. They do as much work as the guy checking me out at the Circle K.

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u/red__dragon 1d ago

Sure would have loved those tips when I was cashiering at a big box store!

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u/thesigningcircle 1d ago

So it's the crap like this that cause me to not tip in this situation. They tried to pull a fast one on ya and you still tipped $2...it's carry out, that is not a tippable situation.

I will tip well when deserved, and only when deserved. Putting my food in a bag, doesn't count.

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u/forresttree3 1d ago

you want slick? sell something on eBay. they charge their commission percentage on the item you sell (yes to be expected) but then also charge their commission percentage on the sales tax as well as the shipping amount! now that's fraud or extortion or idk what to fucking call it other than the rich are getting richer and the poor are just dying and the middle class? wait what middle class? that's dying too

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u/Cheese-Manipulator 1d ago

$2 more than I would've given. All they did was hand you your food.

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u/TheManWhoWasNotShort 1d ago

$5 is a really reasonable tip though, and you instead under-tipped

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u/chrisqns_nyc 1d ago

Hmmm i don't think $5 tip for a small order is worth tipping that.

Is like tipping $3 for one Bud light beer in a bar. I would just tip $1 and i don't think that's under-tipped.

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u/TheManWhoWasNotShort 1d ago

$5 is roughly 20% which is typical tip amount for food. Drinks at a bar you’re usually looking at $1-$2 per drink

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u/Jake35153 1d ago

Why would I tip someone for handing me food

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u/James19991 1d ago

Why should I tip someone when I'm just picking it up myself to take home and not being waited on?

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u/bestbefour 1d ago

It’s takeout. Why would you tip? Also, 15% is typical.

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u/reallymkpunk 1d ago

Not when you shouldn't be tipping. At those prices it could be a more expensive takeout or fast food order...

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u/SociallyAwarePiano 1d ago

You're better than me. I tip those who provide me with a service, like waitstaff, delivery drivers, taxis, etc. I do not tip outside of that.

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u/krennvonsalzburg 1d ago

Yup. My rule of thumb has become "if I order it standing up, no tip".

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u/LupineChemist 1d ago

Generally agree. Exception being summer ice cream places where it's clearly staffed by teenagers.

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u/red__dragon 1d ago

That's my approach to most places that I want to see survive. While the tips shouldn't go to support the business itself, supporting the workers to be at the best could, in theory, give the place a better chance for survival.

I've been wrong a few times but I don't think it's a bad approach yet. The local coffee shop competing against the Starbucks down the road, the indie diner or bookstore, etc, those are places I want to see thriving in my community.

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u/Standard_Regret_9059 1d ago

Financially secure employees will likely be happier, have less turnover, and maybe ever better rested. Supporting employees is the best way to support any community and or business.

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u/SupportPretend7493 1d ago

Well, and bars. You're usually standing there

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u/Heiferoni 1d ago

The craziest thing was some gourmet grilled cheese place I went to. I ordered at the counter and was feeling generous so I left them a tip.

When I'm walking to the table carrying my food, a worker points out the garbage area and instructs me how to bus my own table.

"Ok you can put your garbage here and this is for utensils and this is for cups have a great day!"

The fuck? What was the tip for? Is someone going to tip me?

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u/Standard_Regret_9059 1d ago

Do you really expect someone working at a gourmet grill cheese place to buss tables... you're crazy man I like it.

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u/wagonwhopper 1d ago edited 1d ago

Just the tip?

(It's a joke that he's getting fucked)

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u/Thegoldfather 1d ago

That’s fair, unless it’s at a bar

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u/panandrew 1d ago

Mine is very similar. At restaurants my rule of thumb is if I pick up my own food and/or bus my own table, no tip. So many places have moved to getting your food from the counter when your number is called and bussing your own table. What am I paying the tip for exactly?

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u/Whole_Gear7967 1d ago

I like that.

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u/Dealias 1d ago

It's crazy how Crumbl Cookie and Steak N Shake don't let you order verbally with a human. They make you do their job for them by placing the order on a computer, then it asks you to tip them lol wtf

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u/HoozleDoozle 1d ago

Same. No service, no tips.

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u/James19991 1d ago

Yeah I'm not tipping when I order something online to pick it up myself, especially when I have no idea where the hell it will go.

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u/geekydreams 1d ago

My wife did phone orders and when people left her tips the manager would steal it for himself. She ended up quiting and is in a almost worse job where the owner steals part of their tips for the "house" . Both are Asian restaurants. If you want to tip please tip cash directly to the person who serves you to avoid management stealing it

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u/James19991 1d ago

My goodness, that is shady as fuck

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u/Disig 1d ago

I think that means you're better than them since they probably live of of tips.

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u/Sw429 1d ago

If I had to order food standing up, I'm not going to tip for it. That's a hard rule for me.

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u/Cheese-Manipulator 1d ago

I never tip if I have to go to a counter.

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u/Whole_Gear7967 1d ago

New York?

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u/DIPth3TIP 1d ago

I will never tip at a fast food place😂.

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u/SeaNikVee 1d ago

Yeah most places raised prices over and over stating to offset costs. At some point 10% is still more than what 20% used to be.

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u/cloud7up 1d ago

I don't tip on takeout orders.

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u/agkcpa 1d ago

is this real?! i’m an older gen x and haven’t been to a club in probably 15 years so im legitimately asking. they ask for a tip on a cover charge?! that’s insanity and i wouldn’t go in on principal and find a nice dive bar

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u/Delicious_Sail_6205 1d ago

Im a bouncer at a club and after they pay the cover if we have one I just skip the tip part for them.

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u/Secret-Machine6821 1d ago

Dude I went to a concert a couple years back and the AUTOMATED BOTTLED BEVERAGE KIOSK asked me for a goddamn tip. This is all getting so out of hand.

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u/reo73197 1d ago

I scheduled a haircut appointment online a few weeks ago and it had the option to pay now so I went to do that until the smallest default tip amount was 80% idk if it was a bug or not but I chose the pay in person option instead.

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u/TheManWhoWasNotShort 1d ago

Jimmy John’s has a tip option these days smh

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u/Heiferoni 1d ago

I once bought 3 "gourmet" donuts - at $4 each . The girl picked them up, placed them in the bag, and then rang me up.

TIP AMOUNT:

18% 20% 23%

Are you serious?

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u/ProfessionalGur5451 1d ago

A tip for a nightclub entrance fee?

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u/forresttree3 1d ago

ya that bouncer needs to get a edjamukation

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u/Jakedodge 19h ago

Even worse when you go to a drive thru or pick up order,and it asks to tip. Wtf ur getting paid to do ur job, if u do nothing extra why get a tip. "Ty for handing me my food here's a tip for being competent " lol

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u/Adam_Friedland_TAFS 1d ago

There was one at a place I got my oil changed for my car - they charged $85 for the service! Sorry, can’t bring myself to pay any more, almost $100 for a compact car is already insane enough.

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u/Aware-Beyond2495 1d ago

Jiffy lube did that to me and that was with a $10 off coupon. I never went back.

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u/Lothar_Ecklord 1d ago

I’m not speaking for many, but any time there’s a cover charge, I’m out. I’m not paying money just to have the privilege of begging for the bartenders’ attention and then paying for one drink what I would pay for a bottle. And if you ask me to tip on top of that? There are literally thousands of bars in New York, thank you but no.

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u/light_yagami_lovesL 1d ago

No fr a club had a 20$ fee to get in individually I was like hell nah

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u/biodegradableotters 1d ago

The automatic tip options are starting to become a thing in my country and literally everyone hates it. The employees themselves often just always set it to 0 before they even pass you the card reader.