As is often the case, we agree. ^

Growing up in New York City, I never saw tipping of counter employees in delis, coffee shops, etc. The general rule was that if you had waiter/waitress service, you tipped but if you had carryout or self-service you didn't.

Then, Starbucks arrived along with the tip jar. My solution is to always pay by card and in that way, I have no loose change. In fact, SBUX actually encourages this non-cash transaction by the use of their "rewards cards."

This "tip jar" mentality has gone so overboard that I know a car wash that has tip boxes at the start, at the end, and to put the icing on the cake, at the cashier! "Yes, Miss, you did such a good job of taking my money, here's a dollar for you."