I rarely go to Starbucks or any fast food joint because I can make stuff at home cheaper and often better. However, this morning I thought I’d grab a coffee and danish at Starbucks and go sit in the park on this misty morning where every tree and verdant bush will be presenting a deep green, lush face to the rest of my day.
So, I drive up to Starbucks, place my order and move up to the service window. A pert young woman slides the window open and I reach out to tap her credit card machine with my card. She’s holding the unit out towards me. I’m tapping once, twice –nada. She raps out some indistinct words which she has to repeat as she retracts the unit. “You have to indicate your tip first,” she says.
“Wha-a-at?” “You have to check the tip box on the unit and then the card will work,” she repeats. I’m stuck. I tell her to put two bucks on the bill. She does. The card works. I’m into this snack at Starbuck’s for $9.00 now: $7.00 for a medium coffee and flimsy cheese danish and the darn tip. Can McDonald’s be far behind? Even Burger King? Good Grief! Not Panda Express, I hope.
The custom of giving at tip used to be almost voluntary and involved the strong hint of a gift. A tip used to be like a “thank you” but now at Starbucks it is required –unless you want to outright refuse to do it. I can see me at Starbucks, receiving my coffee and saying. “Just press the ‘no tip” today.” It ain’t going to happen because I’m not going back there again.
I just thought of something. I wonder if somehow we priests could indicate that a tip would be appreciated. Then, when people leave Mass they could each hand father a few bucks for celebrating Sunday Mass. Another option would be to add a box on the church envelope for the tip. Of course, if the homily was tedious or obviously unprepared, the parishioner could leave the space blank or put a zero there.
If “tip” means “to insure prompt service” or “to indicate pleasure” at the service. why shouldn’t the servant of the Gospel receive a tip for his service? But, back to Starbucks.
“Thank you,” should be enough of a gratuity for most services. People agree to work for a salary and so do fast-food workers, even Starbuck’s workers. If I want to tip someone, let me do it, but don’t force me.