Is it OK to leave a tip jar out for the bartender or is that tacky?

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Food52
  • Posted by: Food52
  • October 21, 2011
  • 5929 views
  • 18 Comments

18 Comments

drbabs December 20, 2011
Hilarious! I love this!
 
SKK December 20, 2011
I had a large dinner for family last week and had a Bell canning jar on the kitchen counter. I noticed my daughter had put on it a label that said "Tip Jar for Cook". And I got tips - some money but mostly 'tips on the stock market' 'tips on how to clean the kitchen' 'tips on how to find a date (I am long time divorced'. It will now be a regular institution at all our family gatherings.
 
Bevi October 22, 2011
A thousand times NO! And I say this as a former bartender!
 
healthierkitchen October 22, 2011
I agree with the sage advice above. Definitely a no-no! You wouldn't have a cash bar at a party in your home so why introduce the need for guests to have cash at all?
 
cookinginvictoria October 22, 2011
Agree with what everyone else has said -- a tip jar at a party in a private home is unbelievably rude and tacky. The host/hostess should cover the gratuity of the bartender or caterer, if it was necessary to hire one.
 
boulangere October 21, 2011
Great analogy, HAND.
 
Helen's A. October 21, 2011
If I went to a party and saw a tip jar, I don't think I would go back! I've actually never seen one at a private party. If I hired a caterer or bartender, I would expect to pay a tip myself. To do otherwise is just plain rude (and tacky) I invited my guests to my home, I'm not charging them admission!
 

Voted the Best Reply!

AntoniaJames October 21, 2011
Utterly unthinkable. "Tacky" is too kind. Inexcusably poor taste is more like it. ;o)
 
hardlikearmour October 21, 2011
I ? you, AJ! You do not mince words!
 
SKK October 21, 2011
AJ, you have such a way with words and I concur. (A tip jar for the hostess maybe?)
 
drbabs October 21, 2011
Another vote for tacky.
 
amysarah October 21, 2011
At a private party? Absolutely not. Way tacky.
 
boulangere October 21, 2011
Since no one would (hopefully) ask guests to contribute to a caterer's gratuity, the bartender's should also be the responsibility of the host-hostess.
 
hardlikearmour October 21, 2011
TACKY!
 
sdebrango October 21, 2011
I agree with everyone, tacky!
 
Robin O. October 21, 2011
I also agree that a tip jar for your bartender is tacky.
 
wssmom October 21, 2011
I second Niknud. If you are having a party at home with a bartender, a tip jar is tacky. As the host, I would add a gratuity onto his fee for the evening.
 
Niknud October 21, 2011
My view (and it's only mine, mind you) is that it's tacky to ask people to contribute money when you invite them to be a guest at your house. If a hired bartender is required, you should take care of their payment and include tip. I guess I'm thinking that most guests will bring a hostess present and that should be the extent of their obligations.
 
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