If you’ve ever been to a smoothie bar or a coffee place, like Starbucks, you see their shiny tip jar staring you in the face. You think, do I really need to tip them for making me this already expensive drink? Feeling guilty, you usually walk away leaving them only loose change.
Getty Images Tip Jar by Walter B. McKenzie
Because I work at a smoothie/juice bar, I constantly ponder why it is that we are required to tip a bartender, but not your juice tender. I can safely say that 95 percent of customers at my store do not tip. I will make someone’s fresh squeezed juice, which requires several minutes of time, and requires me to cut up all of your vegetables right in front of you and send them through the machine. Bartenders generally are just pouring drinks and popping bottles, so who in society decided that they deserve more?
After experiencing my own frustrations with not tipping, I make sure to tip at least one dollar at every food establishment I go, whether it be Subway or Yogurtland. I know that behind the scenes there is a lot of effort put in that the customer may not see, and that should be appreciated.
Until next time,
The Juice Bar(ista)
The Juice Bar(ista) 