Unless an employee goes above the normal duties, I just don't feel the need to tip at a Starbucks. If Starbucks converted to a sit down environment, then I would feel different. Otherwise Starbucks is essentially a McCoffee.

If someone serves you at a table, you tip.

Otherwise, you don't. To some, it seems, even without table service, you can, but don't have to.

The amount you tip depends on the level and quality of service. A "normal" tip is often in the 15% range (total bill before taxes), although more recently, many suggest 20% is normal. If it is a buffet, you tip less than full service. If they refill your coffee or water without being asked, or provide other good service, if they are pleasant and efficient, or if they check on you regularly to ensure you have ketchup or whatever, a higher tip is warranted. If they get your order wrong, well, the tip will likely be less.

I wonder if people realize that, when you tip at a restaurant, or at least at most restaurants, those tips are divided among all or most of the personnel and do not just go to the server. In my opinion the issue is not whether you are served at a table. Tips are usually divided among the server, the bus people, and the kitchen help. At Starbucks, you are as much tipping the people who make your drinks and clean up the tables as the person who takes your order, just as you do in other restaurants.

In the US, restaurants set their prices based on the fact that they pay their employees very little and assume the rest of an employee's wages will come from tips. Personally, I much prefer the European system where employee salaries are borne entirely by the restaurant and they set their food and drink prices accordingly.

Who said it's "cool"? I don't think I've ever tipped in a fast-food establishment, including Starbucks, regardless of how "complicated" my order might be. My rule of thumb is this: if I go to a counter to place my order, I don't tip. If I sit down and someone takes my order and delivers my food to me, then I tip based on service.

Evidence, please. I don't believe Starbucks workers are classified as "tipped" employees, but rather as cooking prep staff. Unless they are classified by the IRS as servers (as their primary function), they are not considered "tipped" employees.

By whom? I'd like more evidence behind this level of "expectation".

Two things that certain establishments (i.e., Starbucks) do is put a tip jar in front of the register and/or provide a gratuity line on a credit card receipt. BK/MCDs/etc. does not do this.

For the record, the Starbucks locations in the Greater Richmond area and Baltimore/Northern Virginia area do not have a gratuity line on credit card receipts that they hand me.

That system is not just European, it's most of the civilised world.

So what? The folks who run the coffee stand at my Metro North commuter rail station put a "tip" jar next to the cash register, too, but I don't think there's any "expectation" that they are getting tipped for handing folks bagels and coffee. Putting a "tip" jar out or leaving a line for a gratuity doesn't mean there's any "expectation" for a tip. It's a chance to sucker people out of money for service no different than what's provided at any fast-food establishment.

I don't go to Sbux very often, but I am almost certain that they do have gratuity line on the credit card receipt. It might be wrong.

I am not saying that the person warrants a tip, I am just saying that putting a tip jar or adding a line to a credit card receipt increases that expectation that a tip is warranted.

That's it, I am putting a tip jar on my desk

I had no idea that people tipped at Starbucks until I read this thread! Then again, I'm from the UK, and tipping doesn't happen as much over here.

I tip table service and pizza delivery guys, but the thought of tipping for a coffee never occurred to me, and it's not something I've heard about from any of my US based friends.

I usually don't have to sign anything because I never purchase over $20 of items. They just hand me a receipt and I'm done.