Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The DU Lounge

FarPoint

(14,128 posts) Mon Jun 2, 2025, 03:37 PM Jun 2

Should I " tip" the Starbucks drive-thru server for bill of $11.00? [View all]

If one orders a latte and say sandwich the cost is around $11.00.... I just need to get feedback regarding this sometimes annoying, in your face to tip kind of customer service.

I am not sure the effort for a tip rises to the level of a sitdown, inside server at a table...then the tip when I leave one is $1.00 at the Starbucks window ....

What is the DU concensus regarding this, in your face/ tip-me approach?

36 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Should I " tip" the Starbucks drive-thru server for bill of $11.00? [View all] FarPoint Jun 2 OP

Definitely tip since they are bringing the food to your car window. Blues Heron Jun 2 #1

The OP says they went through the drive-through. n/t hlthe2b Jun 2 #8

exactly - they bring the food to you so you dont have to get out of the car. Thats a tipable service Blues Heron Jun 2 #12

They don't bring the food TO YOU. I have no problem tipping, but they sit at the window. hlthe2b Jun 2 #14

Somehow it gets to you without you getting out of your car. However that happens, you oughta tip the person Blues Heron Jun 2 #16

That is ridiculous.. Handing someone something through a window is not entering your car, but whatever hlthe2b Jun 2 #17

I didnt say they entered, just looking or smelling some car interiors warrants an extra tip Blues Heron Jun 2 #18

This message was self-deleted by its author Blues Heron Jun 2 #19

I would not tip. Then, I'm sick of this country's handling sinkingfeeling Jun 2 #2

Post removed Post removed Jun 2 #15

Care to enlighten us with a link? Oh....you can't!! GP6971 Jun 2 #20

My experience in food service PatSeg Jun 2 #21

Don't forget the fake Christians who come in after church on Sunday & leave proselytizing fake money. CrispyQ Jun 3 #30

And religious tracts PatSeg Jun 3 #31

Well, you're not just tipping the person who hands you the coffee Fiendish Thingy Jun 2 #3

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2 #10

Hi Sunshine!!! Today is the big day...right? GP6971 Jun 2 #13

That adds to the collective concept to tip at the drive thru. FarPoint Jun 2 #23

How do you know the tips given to the person at the drive through window get shared with a barista? MichMan Jun 3 #29

My son worked as a barista for years in his 20's Fiendish Thingy Jun 3 #33

My only experience was as a busboy decades ago MichMan Jun 3 #34

Same Experience ProfessorGAC Jun 3 #35

Don't go there, then you can tip yourself. bucolic_frolic Jun 2 #4

I personally would not...... anciano Jun 2 #5

I usually tip Metaphorical Jun 2 #6

I feel the same way True Dough Jun 2 #11

There are lots of lower paid workers that people hardly ever tip MichMan Jun 3 #27

Can't help 'em all, MichMan, True Dough Jun 3 #28

I use the starbucks app. Mosby Jun 2 #7

If I have my doggy girl with me and they give her a pup cup and some "happy talk," you betcha! hlthe2b Jun 2 #9

Now that is real customer service. FarPoint Jun 2 #24

Exceopt for 2020 when everything was locked down I don't use drive through. They are on a timer doc03 Jun 2 #22

I am not tipping someone at a drive through just for handing me an order MichMan Jun 3 #25

If I see a tip jar when doing pickup-up, I tip. And smile wolfie001 Jun 3 #26

I do not tip for pick-up or carry-out. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 3 #36

No... OmegaX Jun 3 #32