Tipping for Growlers

I'm the same. Sometimes when I take bottles home my bill is inflated by $100 or more. There's no way I'm tipping $15-$20 for them to walk in the back and grab some bottles. I will, however, throw on $5 or so to their tip for their lost time...

 

Guess I've never tipped for a growler fill, but I have always tipped for the pint or two I have drank while getting the growler filled. So, it works out I think.

 

I require everyone I interact with to have a copy of their tax return available for review. If I feel they "need" a tip, I will provide it.

 

Not all growler fills come from a brewery. Just don't bitch when I see you coming(and if you come in regularly I will know you) and won't let you sample(or maybe only give one) before you buy.

 

At the one local brewpub here, getting a sample is like pulling teeth, even for the mediocre house beers. You're lucky if you can convince them to give you 1oz in a little plastic shot glass.

 

This reminds me of some of the frozen yogurt places that have been blowing up around here. Most of them have a tip jar but you literally do everything yourself.
Not saying it's the same but it reminds me of it.

 

Yeah, when you literally walk behind the bar, pour your own samples, answer your own questions about the beer, and then fill your own growler, it would totally be the same.

 

Well nah I meant just the whole thing about tipping. I know it's totally different. Just saying is only. Sorry to totally go off topic.
I'll love to pour my own samples though. haha.

 

Actually some Rock Bottom Brewing locations here have the self-serve tap handles at some of the larger tables, and then you pay based on how many ounces poured. Yes, the tipping is still expected even though the server doesn't pour a single beer. They take your food order and then someone brings it to your table.

 

Yes we have some overlap and I think further discussion takes us off topic, off thread - though I agree what the core of that difference lies as you pointed out - with value judgments about about what a living wage is and the perceived obligation to "bridge the gap" by tipping even more. I'd just say your take is working and the service industry has succeeded in raising the norms for what is a satisfactory gratuity.

In the end I'm pragmatic about it too for the reason you mention, but I'm very very bitter about the situation.

 

yeah just like at coffee shops in which some give you the cup to fill yourself, and others pour coffee into a cup for you, answer your questions about the morning blend, whether it is a dark roast, etc. Tipping the pour person at the cafe is still optional, isn't it? I'll really blow my top when it becomes the expected norm to tip $1 per coffee pour. Jeez. And today's large size black coffee is pretty much what I paid for craft beer pints in the early 90's.

 

I would not tip in a store or a brewery. I have only gotten growlers filled at a Brewpub. Since a pint or more is always drunk during the fill it's not an issue.

 

Breweries and Bottle shops who fill growlers - No Tip, they are paid employees doing their jobs. A bar or restaurant that does growler fills - Yes, as those are servers whose compensation is dependent on tips. You can always tip anyone for outstanding service, but its not necessary and can be embarrassing in some situations. And i don't buy the "always tip for anyone providing a service" argument. The gas station attendant filling your tank and the guy ringing up your order at Wendy's are providing a service too, but that is their job so let's not get carried away just because its alcohol.

 

It's personal preference but to me that is absolutely tip worthy. I won't go to a Starbucks in Safeway stores because they aren't allowed to accept tips. Not sure why you think a buck is necessary either.

 

I don't tip at Starbucks but that's mostly because I pay everything with my pre-loaded Gold Card and never carry pocket change. If I buy coffee with cash I'll throw any change that isn't quarters into the tip jar.

 

Oh yea. That's how it always works out. Always get a pour or two

 

Depends on the place. Bartenders and waitresses are dependent on tips, so I'll tip a dollar or two.

If its the owner of the brewery or store, or a full time brewery employee, no.

 

I think both sides are over intellectualizing this issue. IMHO, consumer's like Yemenmocha are fatalistically cynical regarding the motives of other human beings while comments like MasterSki's horribly broad generalization above regarding the education of service staff are simply offensive.

Bottom line, if you repeatedly patronize the same establishment it's in your best interest to tip the staff. Not only will you receive better service, you'll experience the nuances of appreciative service. Obviously bad service shouldn't be rewarded but JESUS, does the bartender/server always have to sound the alarm when you walk in the door? Ease up. Bartenders/servers are human beings, usually very intelligent/sensitive human beings and they can quickly sense someone judging or looking for a reason to dismiss them and that feels like shit. Just like anyone else who feels dismissed or disrespected their defense mechanisms kick in and they will treat you coldly. Here's an experiment for you... Seek a complete stranger out that looks completely disinterested in you as a human being and try to engage them. It's really difficult. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's tough. Now repeat. And again. Human interaction can be quite difficult when you practically have to drag the other party along.
Conversely, if you receive hostility or direct indifference from someone in the service industry without provocation well fuck them. They're souring too many consumers for the vast majority of people who care.

It's my experience, which is over twenty years of operating within the service industry, that those of you who refuse to see the value in consistent tipping are simply missing out and will never fully enjoy your experience because you're too busy evaluating everyone around you-- looking for a reason to feel your misguided convictions are justified. Take the stick out of your ass and enjoy yourself. Be generous to yourself and others! Ultimately, you'll find yourself having a better time! Just my two cents.
Or don't

 

Nothing offensive with MasterSki's comments. He was just being accurate. Let's not pretend servers are something they are not.

Servers' behaviors are also easily visible and require little to no interpretation. And that's what has changed and many of us are painfully familiar with how things used to be better with regard to service. Plenty of things are new and better in commercial life today, but service is not one of them.

I don't think anyone here is questioning the pragmatic aspect of tipping at your regular place so that you receive good treatment upon your frequent visits thereafter. It's the general problem at hand, and many or even most of us think the tipping culture has gone too far and the entitlement aspect has gone too far.

Tipping for a growler is one of those aspects on the edge of that going too far, especially when some are advocating tipping on a % of the growler price.