We have a very nice Starbucks in our local Safeway, the staff is always pleasant and efficient, and there is absolutely no tip jar in sight. Tipping at Starbucks, or in Canada Blenz or 2nd Cup or another coffee house is BS, we don't tip at McDonalds, Burger King, Tim Hortons, or any other fast food place, but for some reason Starbucks and the other coffee houses must think they are above the run of the mill and their service expects something in return, that is a load of garbage and those that tip in these coffee houses just because they think it is "cool" or "in" are fools, no other way for me to say it.
Maybe they expect a tip because of the Bachelor of Arts degree that preceded their job at Starbucks.