i normally don't tip when ordering at a counter, unless the person is especially nice or on their own and doing a lot of work. I would give whatever cash/ coins i had available. Money is Money, they can take all the change to coinstar.

I wouldn't have tipped her and I probably would have been sore at my husband if he did.

No tip! Tipping at the counter is for good service... and not for those who request dollar only tipping out loud to the entire restaurant.

I agree with Foxie! But my husband would have never done that either!

I probably would have had to hold my husband back (and not from tipping). That sort of thing makes us both mad, but him more than me. No way in HECK she would have gotten a tip. In fact, I would have either asked for my money back and left, after explaining to the manager why; or I would have not tipped, gotten my food, then told the manager what I thought of her attitude.

That sort of thing is completely rude and uncalled for. Do your job right and you will make money.

Ditto, jules.

Sometimes I'll toss in the change I get back which typically includes coins.

It's one thing to EARN a tip, it's another thing to EXPECT it... she had a lot of nerve to make that announcement... I would have been quite upset and probably would have said something to her regarding her rudeness... after I got my food of course : ) I have worked the counter at a few establishments, only at one were we allowed to have a tip jar... and people did tip on occasion, mostly when I was working by myself, juggling 4 different orders and noticeably busting my butt. Otherwise I don't think a counter person is worthy of the same tips as a waitress, busboy, etc.

I wouldn't have tipped - I don't like to feel as if I'm being pushed into doing something.

I can only hope she was a young waitress who didn't know any better. While it's one thing to have a tip jar out, she should never make announcement asking for tips. Tips are for good service, not bad attitude. Your honey is a softie

I realize the very last sentence of my last post could be seen as sexist, so let me correct it before anyone gets a hair up their you know what and calls me out on it... "Otherwise I don't think a counter person is worthy of the same tips as a SERVER, busPERSON/Support Staff, etc."

I will tip if the person is really friendly but the way this lady said i would have laughed at her and my boo would have defintely said something..lol

I work in food service. I generally over tip. I would not have given her a dime.

Oh, and if she worked for me we would be having a serious "do better" talk at the end of her shift.

I probably would have done what your boy did. Stuff some money in their quickly to get her to shut up...

I wouldn't have tipped her... or sarcastically thrown the change from my order in her jar. That type of attitude is ridiculous. On top of that, your waitress is making below minimum and lives on tips... a counter person is usually making minimum and above. I tip the baristas at my Starbucks because the service is always stellar... otherwise, it's better be something spectacular to deserve more than my spare change.

There are a few places that we no longer frequent because of behavior like this.

Worst one was at a concert at a local tavern, we were in seats that a waitress came around to and we ordered a few drinks and some appetizers, we give her money and she says back to us, "how bout I give you such an amount and that will leave me with a tip of this much." We just looked at her stupefied . . . and then asked for all our change. I believe we did give her a tip at some point but we decided the amount and it was VERY small compared to what we would have given her.

I tip for good service ONLY and usually never at a counter unless I know they will be bringing the food out or if the cashier is super cute. (I know horrible - but what can I say, I am a sucker for a nice smile...)

I would have been difficult and left her change IF i left her anything.

how bout the pennies in my coin purse, lady... and I'm being generous b/c you dont even deserve that!

hell to the no there would be no tip from me

There is no way my husband or I would have tipped the girl. Unless I was starving, it's very possible I would have asked for my money back and left. That girl has nerve.

I would find the email address of the manager and send him/her a link to this post

Tips should be based on services rendered, not on the expectation that you deserve them. I wouldn't have tipped her! I have no qualms with not tipping people if their service was exceptionally rude or bad, like hers was.

If she was nice I'd tip in a heartbeat.

I agree with most of the posts here, I wouldn't feel obligated to to her unless she did something that warranted a tip. Most everyone works and many jobs you don't get a tip for. I can't imagine saying to my bosses, yes, I'll schedule a meeting for you, but first, can you tip me?

I would not have tipped her. I think this is the problem with our society now days. It seems the younger generation seems to be so spoiled that earning a paycheck isn't enough they still expect a handout somewhere. I worked at a fast food restaurant when I was younger and there was NO tip jar. Now days you go to places like Dunkin Donuts and there is a tip jar.......FOR WHAT? DOING YOUR JOB? HELL NO. Especially being picky about what kind/amount of tip you get when you aren't brining my food to me! I think not.

Interestingly enough, most people in the restaurant also tipped her — in whole dollars. I guess everyone was scared of her attitude!

That is outrageous- No way would I tip someone who has that kind of etiquette!!

I would have laughed and not given a tip. And my BF wouldn't have tipped either. I'm actually more offended by the fact that they are requesting dollars only. Telling me what to tip and when to tip is a guarantee that you won't receive a penny from me. I'd also be tempted to come back and slip fake money in the jar that has a note written on it... something about "here's a tip: provide good service and you won't have to beg for tips and demand larger amounts".

She wouldn't be getting one penny from me, but she might get a disbelieving look.

honestly? I would have glared and not budged. I don't tip people behind the counter anyways. All they did was their job. Now, if they engaged me in conversation I would, but the whole point of going to a place like that or picking up something to go is so you don't have to tip...they get paid a normal wage and not a servers wage so it isn't like they are only making $2.30/hr like servers do.

Rude and uncalled for...

But I ALWAYS tip at the counter. Usually put a bill or two in, unless I'm ordering something small and cheap, like a bagel.

First, no way, no how, no tip for her. Not only was the attitude when you ordered non-deserving of a GRATUITY (that's what tips are), but her subsequent behavior was absolutely rude and awful.

On a second note - this thread has been very enlightening, as I often feel confused about tipping at the counter. Maybe I feel intimidated by the large tip jar sitting right there next to my face as I pay for a quick sandwich. I often don't feel like I'm getting service that is spectacular or deserving of a tip, but I am often conflicted in that I feel some sort of weird obligation to tip. Especially since I often pay with debit not cash.

Thanks for freeing me from my counter-tipping bondage.

I only counter-tip at places I visit regularly enough that they recognize me, and I mostly only do it so that they won't hate me and mess with my food.

No tip. I don't usually tip at the counters, but her attitude would definitely make it a "no way".

i HATE that - don't tell me to tip you cause then i won't but if i'm allowed to do it on my own, chances are i'll consider it. not that it's the same thing but my mom and i were in hawaii and we went on several tours and it's custom to tip so we would when we got off and one of the tour guides actually made it a point to tell us to tip him and how much was customary - so we got upset and didn't tip and i contacted the company to complain. i have no qualms about tipping, but don't tell me that i have to do it.

Sounds like Weiner's Circle in Chicago ... but if you go there a night, you kind of have to expect that. They shove the tip jar in your drunk face. It is sort of their schtick though, so it is what it is. Also, it doesn't take 15 minutes.

The only tip I give at the counter is the change from my meal. Sorry, but pushing a tray towards me does not count as "service."

Not one red penny from me or hubby. I don't get tips where I work and demanding anything from me get you nothing.

gets

Wouldn't have tipped her and would have wrote a formal complaint letter to the management in the hopes that she would be fired. I'm a tough one!

Here in Australia (and also in most of Europe) tipping is an extra; it's not expected or even the norm. If I go to a restaurant I only give a tip if I have leftover change or the staff have been particularly attentive.
I pay for the food, and their boss pays them to do their job. Why should I be obligated to give them extra money?
If the staff aren't getting paid enough by their boss shouldn't the cost be included in the food?
It is a very strange custom.
When I visited America it really bothered me that everyone who served me expected extra money on top of what I paid for the service provided. If you want extra money just raise your prices! Because I was in another culture of course I was respectful and did what was expected of me, but it is very uncomfortable to feel almost threatened or disapproved of by people simply because you're not handing your hard-earned money over to them! Especially with so many people on tight budgets these days!
Also when you ticket a price, that price should INCLUDE tax, not have it added on top at the checkout. That is just plain ridiculous.
/rant.
Sorry, America. I really do love you guys. Thanks for Krispy Kreme and boy bands.

I would have made sure I had her attention, and very deliberately put one single penny in the tip jar.

I've only counter-tip a local coffee shop that has the best employees in the world.

Frankly, I don't understand the on-the-counter tip jar. Waiters and waitresses get paid less and are expected to make up the difference in tips. People at the counter are supposed to be paid full wages.

Honey, you get what I give you. And after I worked in a deli for 3+ years basically living off my tips, I almost critique others behind the counter. You need to WORK for my money. And if you only deserved .25 cents, then you only get .25 cents. Brat.