you keep that dime.

I'm going to write a song entitled: you keep that dime. I think it will be a country song. I think it will go something like this: well, I can't think of how it goes yet, but it makes me laugh to think of it.

A while back, when superstar Jenn was a barista (this is the thing to do, I hear, when you get a masters in something... take a break, have some fun, meet people, make coffee), she wrote a blog. This blog was about the amazing customers that throw a dollar in the tip jar after they have spent only a dollar + on a small cup of coffee. Why? Who knows, but they rock, and I'm thankful for every cent.

My philosophy is this: tip if you can, if you believe in it, if it makes you feel good to make other people feel good, if you appreciate the service you have received. And some people just throw in whatever change they get back, and others throw in nothing at all, and still others get free coffee because they are wonderful, and are with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Still others pocket that dime they get back from their $1.90 coffee, and walk away without tipping. Why? I don't know, but if I'm in a good mood I think it is hilarious, and if not, I'm thinking to myself, what are you going to do with that dime? Buy a gumball?

Perhaps some think that tipping a dime in a coffee shop is as bad as tipping with pennies, nickels or dimes at restaurants. I disagree, but maybe they feel guilty to contribute so little, or maybe not.