Posting to TikTok on November 3, Mari (@puropinchepartymari) said her store now accepts credit and debit card tips—something Starbucks workers began petitioning for last fall. The post had garnered over 300,000 views and more than 500 comments before the TikToker removed the video.

In the video, Mari pretends to interact with customers in different parts of the store.

“Me providing the literal best customer service anyone has ever experienced because now we take tips through debit/credit card,” she wrote.

As a joke, Mari also drafted a fake script in the post’s caption that reads: “GOOOOOD MORNING WELCOME TO STARBUCKS HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY OMG I LOVE YOUR EARRINGS ARE YOU GOING TO BE HAVING UR USUAL SHAKEN ESPRESSO WITH 7 STEVIAS AND 7 PUMPS OF SUGAR-FREE VANILLA WITH ALMOND MILK IN A VENTI CUP WITH EXTRA FOAM NO ICE!??”

Several baristas commented on Mari’s post and said their stores have yet to implement card tipping.

“I wonder when it’ll come to mine,” one of them mused.

In response, Mari wrote: “Probably soon, bae! It’s very recent.”

Newsweek reached out to Mari for comment. We could not verify the details of this case.

Card Tipping at Starbucks

A Starbucks spokesperson told Newsweek that the company is currently “rolling out” card tipping to all applicable U.S. stores.

“Starbucks is rolling out the ability for customers to tip for credit card transactions at the register in the café and drive-thru. This capability began at select stores in the U.S. in September 2022 and will continue to roll out to all stores where this can apply through the end of the year. It’s our goal to allow our customers to recognize baristas no matter what payment method they use, and we’re excited to bring this new enhancement to stores,” they said.

When asked how its members felt about this new tipping option, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), a worker-led unionizing effort, told Newsweek:

“We can’t speak to where this has been implemented. However, there is no doubt that the implementation of credit card tipping at Starbucks stores is a direct result of our campaign.

“One of the first public demands that we made last fall when our campaign launched, was for credit card tipping. Only weeks before our first union elections, Starbucks announced that the company would implement credit card tipping—something that they promised and failed to implement time and time again,” SBWU continued. “This is a clear case of union workers pressuring Starbucks to improve working conditions for all Starbucks baristas.”

Viewers React

A majority of Mari’s viewers said they were excited by the prospect of card tipping.

“Girl, I’m so happy about this,” Ness wrote. “I want to tip all the time, but I don’t always have cash on me!”

“FINALLY! I’m so happy you guys take those now—I always feel so bad when I don’t have cash,” Julia said.

“This is [a] game-changer,” Lexi added.

Tipping Your Barista

Still, a small handful of commenters told Mari that despite the new gratuity option, they don’t plan on tipping their baristas.

“I’m still not tipping,” one viewer said. “I’m not paying $8-9 for a drink then continuing to pay more.”

But Lisa Mirza Grotts, an etiquette expert, said those who can afford to “drink out” can afford to tip.

“If a service has been performed, show your appreciation. If you get it, you give it,” Grotts told Newsweek. “There is no difference in tipping a Starbucks barista on an $8 grande pumpkin spice latte than there is tipping [a server] on an $80 steak dinner.

“Baristas and other hourly paid staff are paid minimum wage,” Grotts continued. “As such, many rely on gratuities. If you can afford to ‘drink out,’ you can tip. If not, stay home and make your coffee.”

Grotts told Newsweek that the industry standard for a coffee gratuity is $1 per drink.

More Viral Posts

Last month, several New York-based Starbucks workers accused the company of “defrauding” customers to turn them against striking employees.

The week prior, a Starbucks barista went viral for slamming “pay it forward” lines.

And in June, a Starbucks employee went viral for sharing fun facts about the company and its products.

Updated 11/10/2022, 12:10 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comments from a Starbucks spokesperson.