Guy at the counter in Sacramento said he never tips at cafes, and I think he's dead wrong
I was waiting for my latte at a spot in Sacramento when the guy next to me told the barista he never tips because "the coffee is already marked up 400%." I get the math argument, but here is what I actually see: the barista let me camp at a two top for five hours yesterday and never once gave me a look. If I am taking up a table that could turn over three times during lunch rush, my $1 tip is not charity, it is rent. Has anyone else run the numbers on what their daily cafe spot actually costs the shop in lost seats?