Coffee shop as in barista coffee shop? Subway as in sandwich artist? No, those jobs are not necessarily harder than retail. Table service is a whole different animal. I have worked all of those jobs, and now work at a Customer Service Desk at a national hardware retail chain. My job is hard now, and has lots of…

I have been in that server's place, and now I get to be magnanimous. I'm cool with my own selfish desires to make someone's day with a slightly extravagant tip. I'm pretty sure the barista/server doesn't mind that I get pleasure out of tipping over the normal percentage.

Yes! That's what I am saying. It's a boon for both the server AND for you.

That's a good question, and I haven't had my coffee this morning, so I'm not going to delve into the answer too deeply. However, the retail drone at the Gap is most likely eligible for raises and benefits, because the Gap is a corporation, and most corporations operate in this way. (I am a retail drone at a…

I thought I posted a response regarding recognizing your barista (without necessarily tipping), but it seems to have been kinja-d (grrrr). If I remember what I said correctly, I advised doing the survey at the bottom of the receipt (if D and D has such a thing), since companies really pay attention to the responses on…

I see your point, but I imagine we'll just get better at paying attention to people's behavior towards perceived "underlings" instead. ;) I'd much rather see a good wage paid.

Congratulations on finding an excellent hairdresser! It is not always easy, which is why I live my life with longish, straight hair most of the time. Oy.

No, I do. I love tipping. Would I rather a server be paid what they deserve? Of course. But that system is not in place. In the place where I live (Washington state), the servers are paid minimum wage. It is not enough. So I tip. I tip because I used to be a server, I tip because it is the social contract I have…

In retail (I know, but stick with me), we are not allowed to accept tips. However, filling out the survey printed on the bottom of the receipt (going online and doing that thing) really does make a difference to that particular cashier. Please remember to only give stellar ratings (5 on a 1-5 scale, for instance).…

You are probably right, but it's also systemic. The restaurant owner (whether chain or small business) isn't motivated to change the system. I don't know how to fix that.

It's a good question, a good mental exercise. I don't know if it can be mathematically answered (I certainly wouldn't be able to do the math on that), but I'd like to see the results.

I'm sorry I didn't respond right away?

If a server is staring at your boobs or saying prejudiced things about you, you should take that up with the management (seriously, this is a problem that needs to be put in check) and of course, do not tip. I'll give you that. If there is sexual harassment and bigotry occurring, you are absolved from your social…

But meanwhile, tip. Seriously. Does it really hurt you to tip for a decent meal?

Nurses get paid more (and they should, because of the expense of schooling for one) and if I am not mistaken, they belong to unions that fight for their wage increases and other benefits? Nurses are still underpaid, I know, but they are operating under another system, so not a good analogy.

PS—there's nothing wrong with working retail forever. Some of us like working retail. Some of us even have degrees in other fields and prefer retail. Don't be mean to retail workers, they sell you things that you want.

Oh, no, I pay roughly $5 for my dirty chai with extra shot (it's so much because of the extra shot), I'm not tipping the standard 20% (standard for me, because I can afford it and it makes me happy) on $5, I'm tipping $3 because the barista is awesome and I like her and she gives me my delicious candy drink. I am very…

Mmm, I am a bit salty. But punishing the server for the restaurant system's (and federal government's) pay and tax structure does not change the pay (and tax) structure. Yes, servers should be paid a living wage and get taxed fairly on that living wage, but that's not the server's fault. And you are punishing only the…

You are a good person and deserve a lifetime of excellent Christmases. *tips hat*

Ah, so you are just a jerk. Noted.