Barista earnings

Apples & Telephones asked me if I make good tips at my barista job. I’ve actually started a post about that called “No pennies = less tips” when getting rid of the penny was on the news a couple of weeks ago.

So there is the answer. It’s like we are ripped off both ways. Employers can justify nearly minimum wage pay based on the assumption that you would get some tips. Customers don’t give tips because it is after all only coffee. You are not a waitress. (But you sure work as one. At our café night shift baristas do food, bus tables, dishes, and anything else that needs doing.)

Most of the tips are people’s unwanted change. Pennies, Nickels, Dimes… Very sad for the baristas but it’s true. Of course there are nice customers who give a quarter or even a dollar tip (Thank you Nancy). But there are also customers who want their pennies back.

Also, night shifts are dead -not much can be said for making anything from pure volume. Basically, I’m glad that I get free drinks with this job. Otherwise, I’d be able to afford about one latte.

That’s being said. I don’t know what’s right - to tip or not? Me? Because I am now part of the service industry karma and I know the hard work and little pay, I always give something when I’m at cafes. But I don’t begrudge people who don’t, EXCEPT when your order is resulting in extra work for the barista.