Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

Yes, You Must Tip A Dollar On Your Coffee


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Feb 2, 2015

Modified Feb 2, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Scott Lynch


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Feb 2, 2015

Modified Feb 2, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Tipping one dollar on your cup of coffee does not make you a Hero, it makes you a decent, thoughtful human being.

According to the headline in this New York Times story (thanks, Innovation Report), the option to tap in a $3.00 tip on a $4.00 coffee at Café Grumpy is an example of "tip creep," as service employees try and claw back the wages that their employers stubbornly refuse to collect from paying customers.

This is truly only "tip creep" if you've been an actual Tip Creep and have continued to refuse to tip $1.00 on your coffee and are therefore shocked that the kids in the aprons would deign to ask you for a fair wage for their work.

Tipping a dollar on each drink at the bar—more if you order The Proustian Mongoose (Highball)—and 20% in pretty much any other service situation, is mandatory—if we need iPad tricks or taxi touchscreen gimmicks to get this through our solipsistic skulls, so be it.

"Seems excessive," you say, blowing the GMO-free goats milk foam from your piping hot Frank Black. "It takes 5 seconds to pour a cup of coffee."

So maybe stay at home and pour it yourself?

To paraphrase John Waters, if you go to the coffee shop with someone, and they don't tip, don't fuck 'em!

Tagged

coffee

don't be a cheap judgmental asshole

thanks Innovation Report

tip creeps

tipping

original


Christopher Robbins

Twitter

Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Oct 19, 2026


North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema


10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

By

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .