So you seem to think that simply because of his wealth he should have been tipping you? The corollary would be the notion that regardless of where you were working at the time, you would have expected a tip from him simply on account of his wealth? There's a huge difference between tips being a thing certain patrons do every once in awhile, and something being an established norm - are you trying to say that in Seattle at the time tipping baristas was literally a well-established norm (ie., not just that it was common but that it was actually the predominant behaviour if not outright expected)?
I'm American but have lived in Australia for nearly 20 years, and in Melbourne for the past 15. There's a huge coffee culture here and almost all cafes have a tipping jar. But I can't imagine any baristas finding it odd to the point of mentioning if a patron, even a repeat patron, never put money in the jars.
I've never been a Ballmer fan myself although he's gotten more likeable post-Microsoft IMO, but to me it says a lot about his character that he both got his own coffee/tea (as opposed to having a PA do it for him), and if you're saying he was always polite then I have no clue why you'd feel the need to cast aspersions on him by suggesting he should have tipped but didn't.
> So you seem to think that simply because of his wealth he should have been tipping you?
No. But it's funny that he, of all people, didn't. It's the juxtaposition of wealth and frugality that are amusing.
> are you trying to say that in Seattle at the time tipping baristas was literally a well-established norm?
Yes. Without a doubt. But the norm was to tip infrequently, and not everyone did it. Those that did tipped once a week or 1x/2x a month. And it was usually just their change, significantly less than 10%.
> I can't imagine any baristas finding it odd to the point of mentioning if a patron, even a repeat patron, never put money in the jars
No one blinked an eye at the regulars who didn't tip. It wasn't a concern. The only exception is when it was a famous billionaire. It's notable.
> why you'd feel the need to cast aspersions on him
How so? I shared an objective observation. And I made clear that there was no ill will. Not even the slightest bit upset.
I feel like a lot of commenters are working through their own issues with tipping that surfaced with this light hearted story. Tipflation sucks, I get it. But this story isn't that.
Well, I guess what I’d say is this: if you told the story but left out the part about the tips, but then people asked if ever tipped and you said no, that would be a very different story from one where the fact he didn’t tip looms large because of how you tell it. I think the story is notable just because a billionaire both ordered his own drinks personally and was a nice guy. Aside from Buffett going to McDonald’s in Omaha I don’t think the super rich ordering their own fast food is especially common these days.
I do agree though in general about tipping culture and how most people feel about it. I’m not necessarily trying to white knight for a billionaire here, either.
Hope that makes sense and I do appreciate your responses.
I'm American but have lived in Australia for nearly 20 years, and in Melbourne for the past 15. There's a huge coffee culture here and almost all cafes have a tipping jar. But I can't imagine any baristas finding it odd to the point of mentioning if a patron, even a repeat patron, never put money in the jars.
I've never been a Ballmer fan myself although he's gotten more likeable post-Microsoft IMO, but to me it says a lot about his character that he both got his own coffee/tea (as opposed to having a PA do it for him), and if you're saying he was always polite then I have no clue why you'd feel the need to cast aspersions on him by suggesting he should have tipped but didn't.