New Moons – the first four callers were all “new moon” folks, in fact, 3 of the 4 were “doubles”
Coffee house etiquette
Picked [url=http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/2004/08/tipping_debate_.html]this[/url] up from [url=http://fredlet.blogspot.com/2004/08/starbucks-gossip-tipping-debate-how.html]fredlet[/url]. Let me say this about that:
I spend a fair amount of my free time in coffee houses. I tend to prefer the “indy” places, but when I’m stuck in an airport, and I want something that I know will work, there’s usually a Starbucks. Plus most Bucks have wireless. Costs me $6 a pop, but I know it works.
I prefer a non-homogenized kind of place, I can think of at least three, four, maybe more, that are all close and have just what I like. Plus free wireless.
On the way to the airport in El Paso, we stopped at Caffe Dali, a local spot (Westside El Paso, on Mesa). They do have a bastardized version of absolutely useless wireless, which I just skip. But the coffee’s good, the desserts are excellent, and they do offer the indy-requisite “wheat free, gluten free” pastries. Kibbles and nibbles sort of thing. After fetching up proper libations, I stuffed a hard-earned dollar in the Capricorn’s jar. He earned it, and he’s been trying to enroll me in the frequent patron (buy ten get one free) card-carrying club. Plus, by now, he remembers what I like. Which is one reason why I stuff a dollar in the jar.
On the way home from the airport, I stopped off downtown and dropped a dollar in the jar of the Libra barista, after she made me a really, really good double espresso. That drink cost $1.75, and with a tip, that’s running what, almost 50%? But she remembers me, and it’s going to be a slow night for her. Plus the coffee was done [i]exactly[/i] like I like it. Plus she seems thrilled when I remember that she’s a Libra. Might be humoring me, but I consider that dollar an investment in my future, as a patron.
I don’t frequent Bucks too much, but when I do, I do drop a dollar in the jar. Why? How many stupid questions does that counter help have to put up with? There’s my usual, too, “What’s your birthday?” Humor me, I tip well. Plus, that tip is an investment. More than once, I’ve run into former coffee house employees and they remember me, probably as that weird guy with charts and crap, and always nattering on about birthdays and signs, but whatever.
I’ve been a tipped employee on a number of occasions. Therefore, I always remember to tip. Even when I’m using a Starbucks Gift Card.