HOROSCOPES

Dear Miss Manners: Lately I’ve found that chain restaurants, and even local ones, have a tip line on the credit card form – when the restaurants provide no service.

I place my order at a register, pick up my food when they call my name or number, and then bus my own table. They clearly expect you to do this, as they provide receptacles and signs with instructions.

They have a tip jar for use if you don’t use a credit card. I understand this is a practice at coffee shops to show appreciation for the artistic ability of the barista, but for a plain cup of coffee? I’ve also found this practice when I pick up a meal to go.

I understand this is to offset the fact that they do not pay a living wage to the employees, but am I required to tip when no service is rendered? I usually end up putting $1 in the tip jar or on the tip line, which makes me feel churlish and taken advantage of at the same time.

Gentle Reader: There are a number of factors to weigh when deciding whether or how much to tip, but Miss Manners does not consider that the little tip-bait traps have become so prevalent should be among them.

The most important element

By Judith Martin and Nicholas Ivor Martin

is

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.