Steve Ballmer was an underrated CEO

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

What frugality? He was paying the full price that it was being sold at.

Bro there's no "wait staff" involved in this transaction. He purchased an item, the person handed it to him. This is well outside the bounds of what should be tipped.

If that is your takeaway from this story, hooooo boy you must be in a rage every day. Places all over Seattle default their machines to tip 18% when you buy a single roll of toilet paper and nothing else. (Edit: you could also pick up a few bottles of expensive wine they sell; maybe you’re in a rush and don’t expect a tip screen ; ooooops you tipped $40 for nothing!)

There’s a place that does this less than a block from me right now. Actually probably 2-3 places if you extend a block further.

Wait, you guys tip now when you go to the supermarket and get and scan your own toilet paper?

Nope! We sure don’t! Not on purpose any way. But the businesses sure want us to.

This mostly happens at smaller stores and not big chains.

I've given stores bad Yelp reviews for daring to ask. I tip people in tipped positions really well. No way in hell I'm giving a penny to someone who only rang up the stuff I carried up to their counter.