Tipping at the counter: Are you being rude if you don't leave something extra?
California-based etiquette expert Elaine Swann answers a key question, especially at holiday time
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Just about everyone has faced a certain "moment" at a coffee shop.
It's when the barista spins around the tablet with a touchscreen that reads, "Would you like to leave a tip?"
While it’s become a common occurrence at many eateries and local shops, consumers during the holidays may feel even more pressure to provide a little extra something for those in the service industry.
Leaving a tip at the counter is not necessary, lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
"Etiquette would dictate that that is not a requirement," she said.
A barista is shown above guiding a customer through a payment process. Leaving a tip is based on the worker's salary, said California-based etiquette expert Elaine Swann. (iStock / iStock)
Swann, the founder of The Swann School of Protocol in California, explained that leaving a tip is based on the worker's salary.
Most servers who wait tables at restaurants or bars don’t earn a full salary and instead rely on tips to make a living.
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Employees who work behind counters and registers most likely are earning standard salaries, however — so a tip would be "above and beyond" what they normally make, she said.
A waitress is shown counting tips at a restaurant. Etiquette expert Elaine Swann said consumers feel "social pressure" to leave a tip at the counter. (iStock / iStock)
"Typically, what happens is the proprietor of that establishment — they're offering a perk to their employees and putting that perk on the backs of the consumers," she said.
"Don't linger — and resist the urge to explain or make any excuses."
"So there's a lot of social pressure that consumers are feeling right now to have to tip at that counter — and that is a little bit challenging," she added.
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Adding a tip feels "necessary" to the customer, since it’s already built into the system of checking out, Swann also said.
A barista is shown gesturing toward the touchscreen at the counter. One etiquette expert said it's nice to give a tip in certain circumstances, such as if you've placed a large order, are a regular or have had exceptional service. (iStock / iStock)
"But it does not line up with the same standards and practices as your tipping of a restaurant server," she also said.
It's nice, however, to include a tip if the service was exceptional, if you’re a regular at the establishment or if you placed a large order.
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"It’s something that’s more occasional, as opposed to something that’s required in every instance," she said.
Customers who feel pressured to tip should know that the people standing behind the counter will earn their daily wage regardless of whether they’re tipped or not, said Swann.
Lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann said the polite way to handle tipping at the counter is to act quickly and move on. A tip is not necessary. (Jacqueline Coronado / Fox News)
The polite thing to do is act quickly, she said, decline leaving a tip on the screen and move on.
"Don't linger — and resist the urge to explain or make any excuses," she said.
"Just make it part of the natural transaction."
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"Stand firm in knowing that [the employee] is taken care of … they’ll be OK."