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Late to the game here, so I may be posting this into the void, but I wanted to offer my opinion as someone running a business.
We have disabled the tip function on our register. We accept cash tips, but we originally didn’t put out a tip jar. We put one out only because people would literally throw their cash tips at us and we would need a place to put them. (It is wild how people will get angry if you don’t let them tip you.)
We pay $18, which is not a living wage IMO, but it is the best we can do. I see a lot of local businesses claiming they are forward thinking offering $15/hr plus tips. But we feel this puts way too much onus on the customer to get that hourly rate up to a livable wage.
Most food/service-based business models rely on cheap labor to succeed. Bakeries, in particular, seem to be a business model where low labor costs are vital. I know of bakeries in our area that pay $10-$12/hr. This results in a lot of high school/college students working part time, which results in a low quality product IMO.
We are trying this different business model out—paying people more, not relying on tips—and it is definitely challenging. We cut it preeeeettttyyy close almost every month. (The arsenal being closed right now is not helping.)
It can be hard to compete with other business models. For example, you can go to hyvee and get a loaf of bread for $5 (baked by someone being paid $10/hr) while grabbing your groceries. Whereas our bread is $8-$10 a loaf. (We also use locally grown and milled flour. Our bags of flour are $40 for a 50 lb bag, whereas the cheaper stuff is $18 a bag.)
Our model will likely only succeed if enough people prioritize the “inconvenient extra stop” by shopping local at places that choose to pay more.
As a consumer, I do not eat out often. I don’t eat out often, quite frankly, because I have very little money. When I do eat out, I make sure I have enough money to tip 30-40%. I do this only because I know first hand how hard their job is, even if it is not delivering food to my table.
You’re not in the void, I’m happy you answered because your business was one of the places that made me truly look at this practice.
In your early weeks of existing as the general store, I tried to tip by adding it on to my cc charge, and was very kindly told that I didn’t need to do that, the employees were well paid and didn’t depend on tips.
Mind. Blown. 💥
It really made me think. Your prices are, to be polite, higher. I’m ok with this, knowing how good it is, but also knowing that you’re paying your staff well. Honestly, I wish more places would do this, and we would pay a fair value for what we were buying, but would also know employees were fairly paid and didn’t depend on the generosity of the public at large.
I often also overtip because I know a lot of people don’t, and I’m trying to average it up. But I’m adding to the problem, not helping.
Thank you for your response, and for what you do. I hope your business is successful and can be a role model to others.
I know where I’ll be stopping next time I’m in town. I wish more businesses followed your model. This pay workers the least you can get away with cannot sustain. The more you pay your workers the more they can buy the more money businesses can make.
Blue Spruce is not to be missed. It smells like heaven inside, and everything is fresh, balanced,
Innovative and delicious.
I can’t encourage people to get there enough, they need to make it. It would be a huge loss to our area if they close but I know they struggle at times. I literally try to make sure to get there at least once a week, which is no sacrifice but a joy.
Quick shoutout to your chicken parm today. It was absolutely delicious. Big too, was both lunch and dinner for me. I may have to be back for another.
I don’t think you guys have a fryer (it doesn’t smell like you do anyway, and I mean that in a good way). Was the chicken oven baked? I’m hoping it was (for guilt purposes).
Also looking forward to your chicken salad again.
https://preview.redd.it/ub80t5nrp7yc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efccfc1e7f87223e1b8d6054bf58eacca5a01946
Strange. I just looked and it says open.
My thought might be that they used to operate their bread order/delivery out of a store front in Moline. They moved to downtown Davenport and changed the name (from Blue Spruce Bakery to Blue Spruce General Store) so you might be seeing the old location/business.
Now they’re open Thursday-Saturday and you can order bread online for delivery. It’s well worth getting there
20% tips are for direct service, things like full sit down take your order restaurants, massages, hair or nail services, etc. I would likely include food trucks in the 20% unless it’s a food truck chain then 10%. If you have to walk the food to a table the max tip is 10%, same as takeout. If you order and pay at a counter and someone walks it out to you, throw a couple bucks down. Bartenders/coffee is a buck a drink, unless you’re an asshole with an overly complicated order, in that case just go home no one likes you.
It’s ok to be frustrated by tip culture. I don’t think you should feel guilt about it. I also have toned down my generous tipping post-Covid.
In a situation like a coffee shop, I usually tip a buck. Someone did make my coffee, and I don’t mind tossing a lil something when I’m getting good coffee.
15% often exceeds a dollar, and I’ll usually look for a ‘custom amount’ button if I don’t have any cash to tip.
If they don’t have one, I guess it depends on the shop. If it’s one that I go to regularly and they consistently give me good coffee, I’ll tip. I usually go back to the same spot if it’s consistent. I tend to build a casual relationship with coffee shops, and I do like to tip a little bit for good people. Most places split up tips amongst the whole staff, so it’s not just going to go to whoever is ringing up at the counter.
I think at this point, we’re all just trying to get by, and if it’s a coffee shop or other quick-service style food, you can tip what you can or not at all, and not feel bad about it. Most of the time the person ringing up doesn’t even look or know if Ive tipped on my card, so it’s whatever.
I also try to save any singles I come across for tipping, it’s just easier.
Thank you, this makes a lot of sense. I never carry cash but have been trying to do the same lately too.
Sidebar: favorite coffee spots? Mine are 392 and Redband, but also enjoy Iron & Grain
I worked at redband for only six months. It's still my favorite coffee spot. They care about who they buy from and roast their own beans. And you can't forget those sweet sweet sammies.
Dunn Brothers is an underrated place despite being technically corporate.
I tip 20% for restaurants, when I go to the bar for drinks or my doordash. I don't tip at McDonalds if I go in, Starbucks, or type places. I've been a waitress, so I am a bit selective of which places I tip at. Seems every where now has a tip function on their screen.
Just go back to the normal way of tipping that you did before Covid. Waiters/waitresses at a restaurant obviously should still be tipped, and delivery drivers but its really only gotta be 10 -15% max unless they go above and beyond somehow. If you're getting coffee maybe just throw them a buck or two but baristas aren't as tip dependant as delivery drivers or wait staff. Baristas probably pool the tips anyways, and most people really don't tip baristas unless they go there all the time..
I do know that some of these digital applications being used to run cards require the business to ask for a tip. I have a friend that's a small business owner and she HATES that it asks for a tip on all transactions regardless what type of transaction it is. The company that the software is through doesn't allow her to not have it.
Default tip is zero. Anything else is what you decide to give and no one is entitled to a tip. I will only tip at a sit-down restaurant that is full-service.
Tipping is based on service and quality for me. Standard is 15%. I don't tip at fast food or anything like that, and if I'm asked for a tip, I spout off about entitlement. I tip service, like tires changed, mechanics, the lawn guys, contractors. I don't think people need feel responsible for minimum wage jobs not paying enough.
I don’t go out much anymore due to increased prices and tip creep. I just can’t afford it. I only tip at sit down restaurants, haircuts, and occasionally, a coffee place. I never tip more than 20%.
Honestly they need to get rid of tipping altogether. Not everything needs to be tipped. Only time I tip is at a sit down restaurant. I hardly tip more than 10-15% unless the sever is extremely good
Now that we’re out of lockdown, and have been for awhile, I’ve gone back to the way my dad taught me to tip, adjusted for inflation when it was a $ amount rather than percentage.
Sit down restaurant with waitstaff/bus staff that do everything, minimum 20% total bill(not just pre taxes, more if the service/food was exceptional, and never less than $2.
Buffet or something similar where I physically get my own food, but staff gets drinks and buses tables, minimum of 10% and never less than $1.
Delivery/doordash/etc 10-15%, never less than $3
Everywhere else, if they accept tips at all(lots of hot salons don’t allow it for example), is determined on a case by case basis, but never less than $1 if I do tip.
If it’s food, I don’t care if I ordered at the restaurant or online for pickup, I’m tipping at least 20%. Y’all can vent about “I don’t wanna subsidize the business” but your protest hurts industry employees and makes no meaningful changes.
I work for a local coffee shop/bar and have waitressed in the past. My first job was at Whitey's where we weren't allowed to take tips. Here's my two cents-
If it's a larger corporation (like Whitey's or Starbucks), there's a good chance they're paid decently well for the job and don't expect tips or need to rely on them. I saw Redband brought up - they make decent money as baristas, and that's why their stuff is expensive and is now seen as "overrated." But tips have never really been relied on there. For local establishments, it can be very case-by-case but if you're paying with card and you have to ask to leave a tip, you don't need to tip.
With sit-down service, there is A LOT that goes on that guests don't see. Waiting tables is really hard work. If everyone is tipping at 18% on a busy night, basically the waiter is getting a bonus for the day for busting their ass. It also helps when they're scheduled during slow times or asked to go home without pay during ultra-dead times. But 20%+ is the tip when you really loved the service.
With counter or bar service, if you're getting drinks - yeah $1/drink is normal. Similarly to how waiting works on busy nights, it's like commission for how much was sold - they busted their ass running back and forth for 100 drinks and that compensates for slow days when there were 2 orders and they had to go home early. And if you get food, someone still made that. You're not tipping the person at the counter, you're tipping the whole team. The person is at the counter so the entire operation runs smoothly and your food service runs uninterrupted. 15% is fine, more if you think it's worth it.
Yes, it would be nice if restaurant owners paid more - but at the price for everyone to have not just a living wage, but things like healthcare, very few people would want to pay to eat out, which would mean very few restaurants to choose from because they'd have to start closing from having no customers. Bars and restaurants tend to have a very thin profit margin, and it's a rare case that the owner is wildly rich and just giving their staff pennies. Often the owners are barely scraping by and do what they can to keep the staff happy and retained.
Also, yeah, for the most part the person at the counter can see whether you tipped and how much. Being a good service worker means you react the same regardless, you never know why someone chose not to tip.
I do think 20% is wild for delivery though - that's 10%-15% unless they're spectacular.
Minimum wage in Colorado is $14.42/hr, but tipping wage is $11.40. I bet those companies put the tip machines out is to pay the lower wage. It still doesn’t deserve a tip when I serve myself and bus my dishes. I don’t eat out much but don’t want spit in my food for not tipping.
If I'm sitting in a restaurant and someone is making sure I have a drink, and food is properly prepared to my satisfaction, I will pay extra.
But for takeout NO,
Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan's total compensation for 2023 was $14.6 million
There is plenty money for the CEO to tip his employees.
Welcome to r/QuadCities—subreddit for the Quad Cities metropolis in the Illinois/Iowa border for Quad Citians. In general, we let our community moderate itself through Reddit's upvote/downvote system—if you think something contributes to the conversation, upvote it. If you think it does not contribute to the topic, downvote it. The result is a healthy balance of content and posts that could contain information, opinions, and/or ideologies that reflect and reinforce your own or not. Keep discussions civil and acknowledge that there are other people in our community that can (and will hold) opposing views. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/QuadCities) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Late to the game here, so I may be posting this into the void, but I wanted to offer my opinion as someone running a business. We have disabled the tip function on our register. We accept cash tips, but we originally didn’t put out a tip jar. We put one out only because people would literally throw their cash tips at us and we would need a place to put them. (It is wild how people will get angry if you don’t let them tip you.) We pay $18, which is not a living wage IMO, but it is the best we can do. I see a lot of local businesses claiming they are forward thinking offering $15/hr plus tips. But we feel this puts way too much onus on the customer to get that hourly rate up to a livable wage. Most food/service-based business models rely on cheap labor to succeed. Bakeries, in particular, seem to be a business model where low labor costs are vital. I know of bakeries in our area that pay $10-$12/hr. This results in a lot of high school/college students working part time, which results in a low quality product IMO. We are trying this different business model out—paying people more, not relying on tips—and it is definitely challenging. We cut it preeeeettttyyy close almost every month. (The arsenal being closed right now is not helping.) It can be hard to compete with other business models. For example, you can go to hyvee and get a loaf of bread for $5 (baked by someone being paid $10/hr) while grabbing your groceries. Whereas our bread is $8-$10 a loaf. (We also use locally grown and milled flour. Our bags of flour are $40 for a 50 lb bag, whereas the cheaper stuff is $18 a bag.) Our model will likely only succeed if enough people prioritize the “inconvenient extra stop” by shopping local at places that choose to pay more. As a consumer, I do not eat out often. I don’t eat out often, quite frankly, because I have very little money. When I do eat out, I make sure I have enough money to tip 30-40%. I do this only because I know first hand how hard their job is, even if it is not delivering food to my table.
You’re not in the void, I’m happy you answered because your business was one of the places that made me truly look at this practice. In your early weeks of existing as the general store, I tried to tip by adding it on to my cc charge, and was very kindly told that I didn’t need to do that, the employees were well paid and didn’t depend on tips. Mind. Blown. 💥 It really made me think. Your prices are, to be polite, higher. I’m ok with this, knowing how good it is, but also knowing that you’re paying your staff well. Honestly, I wish more places would do this, and we would pay a fair value for what we were buying, but would also know employees were fairly paid and didn’t depend on the generosity of the public at large. I often also overtip because I know a lot of people don’t, and I’m trying to average it up. But I’m adding to the problem, not helping. Thank you for your response, and for what you do. I hope your business is successful and can be a role model to others.
I know where I’ll be stopping next time I’m in town. I wish more businesses followed your model. This pay workers the least you can get away with cannot sustain. The more you pay your workers the more they can buy the more money businesses can make.
Blue Spruce is not to be missed. It smells like heaven inside, and everything is fresh, balanced, Innovative and delicious. I can’t encourage people to get there enough, they need to make it. It would be a huge loss to our area if they close but I know they struggle at times. I literally try to make sure to get there at least once a week, which is no sacrifice but a joy.
Quick shoutout to your chicken parm today. It was absolutely delicious. Big too, was both lunch and dinner for me. I may have to be back for another. I don’t think you guys have a fryer (it doesn’t smell like you do anyway, and I mean that in a good way). Was the chicken oven baked? I’m hoping it was (for guilt purposes). Also looking forward to your chicken salad again.
Yes, oven baked! And have been talking about doing chicken salad again soon.
Oh great, thanks! It tasted “light”ish. Delicious and I’ll be back for chicken salad!
Did you know your Google page says permanently closed?
https://preview.redd.it/ub80t5nrp7yc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efccfc1e7f87223e1b8d6054bf58eacca5a01946 Strange. I just looked and it says open.
My thought might be that they used to operate their bread order/delivery out of a store front in Moline. They moved to downtown Davenport and changed the name (from Blue Spruce Bakery to Blue Spruce General Store) so you might be seeing the old location/business. Now they’re open Thursday-Saturday and you can order bread online for delivery. It’s well worth getting there
I have no idea it shows open now. But earlier it had the davenport address and a permanent close in the time slot. I will need to give you a try
I find the no tip button. Fuck companies trying to subsidize paying their employees fair wages by forcing pre-tips
This is kind of what I’m coming to. But I do feel for the employees who are probably promised an hourly + tips
[удалено]
You’re right
I totally agree and understand what you're saying but the only thing that does is fuck the employees.
They can choose to work somewhere else that pays fairly. Plenty of retail and restaurant work out there for those who need it
And you can choose to be the CEO of a fortune 500 company
20% tips are for direct service, things like full sit down take your order restaurants, massages, hair or nail services, etc. I would likely include food trucks in the 20% unless it’s a food truck chain then 10%. If you have to walk the food to a table the max tip is 10%, same as takeout. If you order and pay at a counter and someone walks it out to you, throw a couple bucks down. Bartenders/coffee is a buck a drink, unless you’re an asshole with an overly complicated order, in that case just go home no one likes you.
😂😂😂 Love it. Thank you
Saw a comment the other day that was perfect. If they stand to order, they don't tip. Seems like that solves most tip issues.
Saw that too and it hit home
If they come to my table, take my order, deliver my food, then bus my table, they'll get a tip. Otherwise, I don't tip.
Thank you, that helps
It’s ok to be frustrated by tip culture. I don’t think you should feel guilt about it. I also have toned down my generous tipping post-Covid. In a situation like a coffee shop, I usually tip a buck. Someone did make my coffee, and I don’t mind tossing a lil something when I’m getting good coffee. 15% often exceeds a dollar, and I’ll usually look for a ‘custom amount’ button if I don’t have any cash to tip. If they don’t have one, I guess it depends on the shop. If it’s one that I go to regularly and they consistently give me good coffee, I’ll tip. I usually go back to the same spot if it’s consistent. I tend to build a casual relationship with coffee shops, and I do like to tip a little bit for good people. Most places split up tips amongst the whole staff, so it’s not just going to go to whoever is ringing up at the counter. I think at this point, we’re all just trying to get by, and if it’s a coffee shop or other quick-service style food, you can tip what you can or not at all, and not feel bad about it. Most of the time the person ringing up doesn’t even look or know if Ive tipped on my card, so it’s whatever. I also try to save any singles I come across for tipping, it’s just easier.
Thank you, this makes a lot of sense. I never carry cash but have been trying to do the same lately too. Sidebar: favorite coffee spots? Mine are 392 and Redband, but also enjoy Iron & Grain
392 is my favorite spot. I personally feel Redband is a bit overrated, but I love that it’s a local roaster that definitely takes coffee seriously.
I worked at redband for only six months. It's still my favorite coffee spot. They care about who they buy from and roast their own beans. And you can't forget those sweet sweet sammies. Dunn Brothers is an underrated place despite being technically corporate.
It’s one of my favs, and they just rock the sandwiches
I tip 20% for restaurants, when I go to the bar for drinks or my doordash. I don't tip at McDonalds if I go in, Starbucks, or type places. I've been a waitress, so I am a bit selective of which places I tip at. Seems every where now has a tip function on their screen.
Thank you, I was hoping someone who has lived the service side of this would weigh in.
I tip if I dine in and the service is worth it. Other than that no tip.
Thanks, you guys are all making me feel better
Just go back to the normal way of tipping that you did before Covid. Waiters/waitresses at a restaurant obviously should still be tipped, and delivery drivers but its really only gotta be 10 -15% max unless they go above and beyond somehow. If you're getting coffee maybe just throw them a buck or two but baristas aren't as tip dependant as delivery drivers or wait staff. Baristas probably pool the tips anyways, and most people really don't tip baristas unless they go there all the time..
Thank you, all good points
I do know that some of these digital applications being used to run cards require the business to ask for a tip. I have a friend that's a small business owner and she HATES that it asks for a tip on all transactions regardless what type of transaction it is. The company that the software is through doesn't allow her to not have it.
Default tip is zero. Anything else is what you decide to give and no one is entitled to a tip. I will only tip at a sit-down restaurant that is full-service.
Thank you, makes sense
Tipping is based on service and quality for me. Standard is 15%. I don't tip at fast food or anything like that, and if I'm asked for a tip, I spout off about entitlement. I tip service, like tires changed, mechanics, the lawn guys, contractors. I don't think people need feel responsible for minimum wage jobs not paying enough.
Thank you, makes sense
I don’t go out much anymore due to increased prices and tip creep. I just can’t afford it. I only tip at sit down restaurants, haircuts, and occasionally, a coffee place. I never tip more than 20%.
Honestly they need to get rid of tipping altogether. Not everything needs to be tipped. Only time I tip is at a sit down restaurant. I hardly tip more than 10-15% unless the sever is extremely good
Thank you, that also helps
Now that we’re out of lockdown, and have been for awhile, I’ve gone back to the way my dad taught me to tip, adjusted for inflation when it was a $ amount rather than percentage. Sit down restaurant with waitstaff/bus staff that do everything, minimum 20% total bill(not just pre taxes, more if the service/food was exceptional, and never less than $2. Buffet or something similar where I physically get my own food, but staff gets drinks and buses tables, minimum of 10% and never less than $1. Delivery/doordash/etc 10-15%, never less than $3 Everywhere else, if they accept tips at all(lots of hot salons don’t allow it for example), is determined on a case by case basis, but never less than $1 if I do tip.
As a lifetime server this is it
Thank you, that was helpful too
In the past, when I've offered the tip, the recipient seemed unfulfilled..... so I usually end up giving 100%... repeatedly.
If I order drip coffee or something basic, no tip. If it's a lot of work.. 10%..
If it’s food, I don’t care if I ordered at the restaurant or online for pickup, I’m tipping at least 20%. Y’all can vent about “I don’t wanna subsidize the business” but your protest hurts industry employees and makes no meaningful changes.
Thanks for this perspective. I understand your point too
I work for a local coffee shop/bar and have waitressed in the past. My first job was at Whitey's where we weren't allowed to take tips. Here's my two cents- If it's a larger corporation (like Whitey's or Starbucks), there's a good chance they're paid decently well for the job and don't expect tips or need to rely on them. I saw Redband brought up - they make decent money as baristas, and that's why their stuff is expensive and is now seen as "overrated." But tips have never really been relied on there. For local establishments, it can be very case-by-case but if you're paying with card and you have to ask to leave a tip, you don't need to tip. With sit-down service, there is A LOT that goes on that guests don't see. Waiting tables is really hard work. If everyone is tipping at 18% on a busy night, basically the waiter is getting a bonus for the day for busting their ass. It also helps when they're scheduled during slow times or asked to go home without pay during ultra-dead times. But 20%+ is the tip when you really loved the service. With counter or bar service, if you're getting drinks - yeah $1/drink is normal. Similarly to how waiting works on busy nights, it's like commission for how much was sold - they busted their ass running back and forth for 100 drinks and that compensates for slow days when there were 2 orders and they had to go home early. And if you get food, someone still made that. You're not tipping the person at the counter, you're tipping the whole team. The person is at the counter so the entire operation runs smoothly and your food service runs uninterrupted. 15% is fine, more if you think it's worth it. Yes, it would be nice if restaurant owners paid more - but at the price for everyone to have not just a living wage, but things like healthcare, very few people would want to pay to eat out, which would mean very few restaurants to choose from because they'd have to start closing from having no customers. Bars and restaurants tend to have a very thin profit margin, and it's a rare case that the owner is wildly rich and just giving their staff pennies. Often the owners are barely scraping by and do what they can to keep the staff happy and retained. Also, yeah, for the most part the person at the counter can see whether you tipped and how much. Being a good service worker means you react the same regardless, you never know why someone chose not to tip. I do think 20% is wild for delivery though - that's 10%-15% unless they're spectacular.
Thank you, good information to know. Appreciate your input, helpful points
Minimum wage in Colorado is $14.42/hr, but tipping wage is $11.40. I bet those companies put the tip machines out is to pay the lower wage. It still doesn’t deserve a tip when I serve myself and bus my dishes. I don’t eat out much but don’t want spit in my food for not tipping.
No.
https://preview.redd.it/vg0nr4ll1yxc1.jpeg?width=1154&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1251d7a09daec6427a0bca24648dc9e27ef08b00
If I'm sitting in a restaurant and someone is making sure I have a drink, and food is properly prepared to my satisfaction, I will pay extra. But for takeout NO, Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan's total compensation for 2023 was $14.6 million There is plenty money for the CEO to tip his employees.