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Steve Ballmer was an underrated CEO

(danluu.com)
371 points greggyb | 4 comments | 28 Oct 24 21:48 UTC | HN request time: 0.701s | source
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not_a_bot_4sho ◴[29 Oct 24 01:19 UTC] No.41978402[source]▶
Funny story. I used to see Steve almost every weekday for a couple of years.

I can't speak to his business skills, but I can attest that he never once offered a tip for his daily black iced tea. We'd even have it ready for him before he showed up so he never had to wait! He would pay with cash, and I'd hand him his change and drink, and that was that.

It's funny to me now: one of the richest men in the world and he never once offered a tip.

Frugality aside, he was always very polite and warm so I can't be mad. Makes for a good ice breaker story.

Edit: holy moly, this is a sensitive subject. Please remember this was from a time before tipflation. Tipping meant you left your change behind once in a while only if you felt the desire to show appreciation. It wasn't an obligation. Yes, I still do think it's a funny story. Roast me for being entitled lol

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1. carabiner ◴[29 Oct 24 01:44 UTC] No.41978545[source]▶
Servers make minimum wage in WA, but you weren't a server. I also don't tip if I order at a register.
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2. AdieuToLogic ◴[29 Oct 24 01:52 UTC] No.41978585[source]▶
> Servers make minimum wage in WA, but you weren't a server. I also don't tip if I order at a register.

And I assume you do not expect any non-required service from those transactions. Which is understandable, yet different from:

>> We'd even have it ready for him before he showed up so he never had to wait!

If this additional service were provided during your patronage, would that warrant a tip even though interaction was at a register?

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3. geodel ◴[29 Oct 24 02:34 UTC] No.41978801[source]▶
That's why I think these premium additional services must not be offered gratis.
4. ugh123 ◴[29 Oct 24 04:08 UTC] No.41979284[source]▶
>If this additional service were provided during your patronage, would that warrant a tip even though interaction was at a register?

Sounds like a convenience for everyone involved. Maybe they should have tipped him?