mandymag.com

I have noticed that tip jars have been showing up in takeout establishments more frequently in the past few years. I recently went to pick-up some takeout a local Thai restaurant, and the tip jar on the counter read “for speedy service”. I smiled at the cleverness of the saying and then immediately fished around my pocketbook for a dollar realizing that I had no cash on me as I had planned to pay with my debit card. As I sat and waited for my order, I worried about the consequences of not putting a dollar in the jar? Would my order take twice the normal time to cook and gather if I didn’t tip?  Fortunately it did not, they were as quick to get me my takeout order as they always are.  It IS only takeout, I’m not expected to tip, correct?  Being the person that I am, I couldn’t live with the guilt of not tipping. I had thought about running out to my car to fish for some quarters to throw into the jar, then I decided that the next time I get takeout from this restaurant, I would leave two dollars in the jar.  If you knew me, you would know that I WILL LEAVE TWO DOLLARS the next time I go, even if it years from now, I will remember to leave an extra dollar in the jar!   

College students, working on Cape Cod in the summer, write the colleges they are attending on the tip jars.  Admittedly, whenever I see BC written on a tip jar, my alma mater, I automatically give a dollar.   

Some people may have an issue with establishments having tip jars for takeout, I do not, especially when it comes to places I frequent often enough that I do receive prompt accurate service at.   

In the past, I would drive through the same Dunkin Donuts each morning for my iced carmel latte with milk and one equal.  Try saying that each morning and then having the person waiting on you getting your order right without you having to repeat it several times.  Well, the girl who in the drive-up window every morning came to expect my order and had it ready for me each morning and also threw in a little extra carmel syrup for me, so I did leave her the occasional dollar in her tip cup.  Unfortunately, due to my recent purchase of a new car, I can no longer afford my latte-a-day habit, or lunch for that matter!     

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