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Which workers are the ones that you consider it is optional to tip?

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Furniture delivery guys. Bought a new mattress for my ADU and I tipped the guys that delivered it and hauled away the old one.

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Baristas

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If they are making pretty designs above and beyond just pouring coffee, yes, as you wish, tip.

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i probably tip the bartenders the most egregiously well, especially when it is someone i know or the coffee place is much better than average

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I kinda hate that the new point of sale systems all make you go through a tip screen

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Yes.

Groupthink + peer pressure

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Sep 12, 2023Liked by SGBear

I was at a retail store buying some art supplies for my kids recently. They had no cashier, just self checkout. The payment system asked me if I wanted to leave a tip! I chuckled a bit - who would I even be tipping????

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Unbelievable.

Reminds of the joke where Walmart now requires that we unload the trucks, in addition to self checkout. 😂

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

That depends on your definition of "optional". Technically, it's optional to tip *anyone* in a hospitality or service industry job. With regards to service industry jobs, think of barbers, hairdressers, baristas, ride service drivers (e.g., Uber and Lyft), food delivery drivers (e.g., Door Dash).

In reality, it is not optional because everyone buys into a system where some of the obligations of the employer to pay a living wage to their employees have been shifted to the consumer/customer/patron. I find this system reprehensible as it provides an out for employers who probably ought not to be running a business or simply have learned how to run a scam using such a business.

In my lifetime, I've also seen the standard percentage for tipping go from 15% to 18% to 20%. This indicates for me that employers have shifted more responsibility onto the consumer/customer/patron.

The tipping system sucks. It should be outlawed by legislating a higher minimum wage, especially in restaurants which can pay a lower minimum wage because of, wait for it, tipping. And I do not buy the plaintive objection that more businesses will fail. If they're that badly run, maybe they should fail.

Yeah, I've got an opinion.

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^^^^^^THIS!!!!!!!!!!

In California, tipped jobs earn full minimum wage and are taxed an extra 8%, not 20%! But tipping practices from other states, where tipped jobs are paid below minimum wage, have permeated into other states, such as California, and, now, the default is 15%. SCAM! Pay a living fucking wage and let the menu prices reflect that.

And counter service tipping should be absolutely optional. Do you tip the clerk that checks you out at the grocery store?

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"Do you tip the clerk that checks you out at the grocery store?"

Now you've done it!

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

just back from Japan where there was NO TIPPING of any kind, even at restaurants.

and i agree, tipping should go away and people get paid a decent wage by their employer.

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author

Counterpoint: In non-tipping cultures, half of the time, you get someone just as motivated as a someone who is tipped. The other half, you get someone who is even less motivated and you wish you could tip. I know I can't have it both ways.

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Yes, the service is dramatically better in the USA. But not sure this is just a 1:1 with tipping, may be a cultural thing

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The Biggest Class

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Wheeler Auditorium. Econ 1. Richard Sutch.

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One of the most popular classes at UCSB was a Religious Studies course taught by Walter Capps on the Vietnam War experience, focusing most specifically on the veterans. Year in and year out, it was the most sought-after course on campus.

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It was in Wheeler; and dang I can't think of the name of the professor (temp), it was all about popular culture in the 20th Cent (various types), and the students were huge fans.

It was a quite great event.

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Alan Dundes?

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Mmmmm... I think not, more set up on a 1900 - 1980 "popular" art thing, set up on the years and mainly about the quality of the art construction - and I got the feeling (even though white and somewhat old) he was new at this class.

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Nutritional Sciences 10 and Sociology 3AC were my biggest. Both in Wheeler.

Nutritional Sciences 10 was also the easiest class I had at Cal; didn't bother taking the final.

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I'm pretty sure it was either Poli Sci 1 or History 10, both in Wheeler Aud.

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Yep, poli sci class, forget the profs name, he was an expert on S. African politics.

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I had several classes in Wheeler Hall auditorium. I'm not sure if the capacity has changed, but it currently seats 730. I took Econ 1, Psych 1, and I think a math class there.

https://capitalstrategies.berkeley.edu/wheeler-hall-auditorium

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I had California History with Walton Bean there. Also, I think Econ 1. Introduction to Chem in PSL.

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Econ 1. Richard Sutch.

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Paleo 2 I think. All about dinosaurs and prehistoric plants and insects. Had multiple classes in PSL and the final was in Harmon Gym with like a thousand desks.

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Was it those abnormally long & narrow tables?

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Yeah I think. Also those writing desks with only enough room for your elbow and a bluebook.

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Also the prof would act out the hunting methods of the velociraptor on stage. Sort of corny actually.

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Anyone else have Professor Eakins Zoology class.

He would dress as historical figures, such as Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin. One the most amazing professors I can think of.

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Didn't take the class but saw a lecture or two by him. He was recommended by my father!

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In my mind's eye, I can see Kevin Padian doing that toe-slash stomp with his be-loafered feet

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Econ 1 in Zellerbach. I don't think I went more than a couple times.

Sometimes I would join a friend's class in PSL which was a much better experience.

I mostly had small classes at Cal because my majors were not to popular.

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Art Class

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I was just in for the nude model. 😉

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Which sex?

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Female.

She complained to the professor that I was staring.

I was intensely studying....

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Honestly (and shhhhh..., don't tell anyone) but when I did the nude women I did a very good job of my sketches of then, so much so that more than 50% of my sketches got asked for by the women, and I was happy to give them the drawings.

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LOL. 🤓

Boyle's gas law = Pervert Nerd

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Yes???

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PRO

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I'm not really into it, but the technology is impressive.

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author

Aaron Rodgers apparently tears his Achilles on the fourth snap of the game, before he completes a pass.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38381823/qb-aaron-rodgers-injures-ankle-opening-drive-new-york-jets-debut

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And a little collateral tap in the sack for Packers fans

https://twitter.com/davehill77/status/1701610014631452775

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I don't get the hate towards A Rod. They replaced him; he moved on.

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Yeah, he's kind of a goof, but no hate towards him. Serves the Packers fans right.

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Yeah, what the Hell was he vaping on the sidelines there?

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Update: MRI confirms that it is a complete Achilles Tear. He's done for the year. Also, th is is a terrible injury and may be the end of his football career. He has $75m in guaranteed money on his contract.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1701611590456590719

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So, our next QB coach?

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Oy.

How'd that guarantee work out for the Jets?

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About as well as the Nats with Strasburg.

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He’s 39, seems like he is done for his career.

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Oh this is so sad. He should have just retired a Packer...

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Just a devastating turn of events for a Jets team with a stellar D that had dark horse Super Bowl vibes…

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

Maybe the Jets should pick up Chase Garbers. I think he's available as a free agent unless the Raiders re-signed him to the practice squad

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Or Davis Webb. He spent the entire career in NY before becoming QB coach at Denver.

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author

DBD AV CLUB

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author

OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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WaPo asking the tough questions: Should it matter if a 58 year old President is a virgin? [Paywall]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2023/09/12/tim-scott-girlfriend-republican-presidential-candidate/

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Vivek Ramaswamy would deport American citizens if elected President because he doesn't agree with the US Constitution

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/11/vivek-ramasmway-deport-children-illegal-migrants-america/

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author

Did Texas perfect the flux capacitor and go back to 1955?

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/us/barbers-hill-student-hair-suspension/index.html

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They didn't have to use a flux capacitor. They just had to not advance for the past 68 years.

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author

ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE

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UC Regents set to meet next week to discuss Calimony in the wake of Cal going to the ACC, with significantly reduced annual revenue compared to the worst-case scenario of the Pac sticking together. The annual payment will likely be close to the $10 million ceiling that they approved last year https://twitter.com/wilnerhotline/status/1701622618854703309

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

Awesome.

UCLAns have been talking trash on the Athletic saying since Cal left the PAC 12 UCLA is off the hook for payments and litigate if the UC regents try to enforce it.

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Love that.

As though we would not have jumped had they not mortally wounded the conference.

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Oh fuck them, they took our colors, mascot, fight song, etc, then pretend they don’t owe us or the UC system anything, and act like some independent private school that can disregard the UC system when it suits them. Eat. A. Dick.

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Just mad that they couldn't make this move without a consequence. They keep on yelling into the ether that it shouldn't happen, and Cal fans are just a bunch of whiners. But our claim to some compensation for this is legit, and will get worked out in the Regents' meetings and not by fans on Twitter or the comments section of news article. They'll just have to cry about it.

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P12 death is 100% a result of them and USC leaving, it is fair

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They should pay us $20 million.

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author

USF also dealing with the reality of sports & academics symbiosis/competition

https://sports.yahoo.com/usf-building-340m-campus-football-041440184.html

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Christopher Newport College exercises Eminent Domain on private black-owned property to expand their campus. Meanwhile, UC Berkeley can't even build housing on a park that they own

https://www.propublica.org/article/these-virginia-universities-expanded-by-displacing-black-residents

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

At the game this weekend, had a lot of time before the game to wander around downtown Berkeley (Shattuck). It is kind of wild how developed it is now. Everywhere there used to be an empty lot there is now a university building or museum or 20 story condo building. Not just a place to buy used books and weed anymore!

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I kind of get what you're saying though the impact isn't as striking to me as it is to you. That's what happens when you're a resident and see the downtown core often. Yes, I acknowledge the development. I know there's been quite a lot of development over the last 10 years.

No, it doesn't seem quite as dramatic as the changes have happened one by one and I've become acclimated to the changes over time.

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CAL

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I just got email from Chancellor Christ. It says

Dear Cal alumni and friends:

As I have written recently, the conferences that form the foundation of intercollegiate athletics across the country have been undergoing significant realignments, but we remained optimistic that we would find a solution to the exodus of many peers from the Pac-12. I am pleased to share that UC Berkeley will join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the 2024–25 academic year

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

I just got that as well. Was interested in this part:

"News emerged this week that Oregon State and Washington State are involved in litigation with the Pac-12, but this has no bearing on Berkeley's decision to join the ACC."

Hadn't heard about OSU and WSU in litigation with the Pac-12. Anyone know who is suing whom?

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I didn't read that far. I read first two sentences and said this is old news and put it in trash.

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Injunction to hold up any board meeting that might distribute left over money, as much as $400 million.

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It should have been divided by 4 remaining schools, dissolve Pac12, and then Cal goes to ACC.

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I like your thinking, but, technically, all the departing schools are still active, voting members, except this injunction freezes that.

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On this day in 2009 in Memorial Stadium the Golden Bears defeated Eastern Washington, 59-7. It was the second straight game in which Cal topped 50 points, they would go on to score 35, 35 and 49 in their next three victories.

DBD celebrates 100 years of football in Strawberry Canyon with this daily feature appearing throughout the football season.

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

I think we scored 52 points? in the previous game vs Maryland. Following a 5 TD performance by Jahvid Best, Cal was ranked #6 after 3-0 start.

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I remember thinking we might have a dominant team after that Maryland game. Turns out Maryland just sucked that year.

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You are correct.

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Ah, back in the good old days when we had a competent college offense.

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Bring back Tedford! 😀

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The Cindric loss is devastating.

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Blurred lines Chitwood! Someone get Robin Thicke on the horn.

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Sep 12, 2023·edited Sep 12, 2023

What a thief…he stole that song!!

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Rockfighters. (Details hidden, as if that will retroactively change what happened Saturday night.)

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Sep 12, 2023Liked by SGBear

Go Bears !!!

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author

It's technically a draw, but we all know who won this one

https://ksltv.com/585529/authorities-search-for-grizzly-bear-that-mauled-a-montana-hunter/

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