To Tip or Not to Tip

i do not tip there. publix offers this service but you pay for it, notice how your bill is a little more when you shop at publix than other places?
they get payed a decent hourly rate and publix is a good company to work for so do not worry about it.

Tammi,
We are regulars at our local Publix on Hunt Club. We are there at least twice a week ~ LOL. What I think is "better" than a tip is getting to know the "older gentlemen" personally. When my kids see Mr. Branson they always go up to him and say "Hello Mr. Branson!". I spend extra time talking with him and asking him about his family..."TIME" is more precious than money...both you and the person bagging your groceries will benefit greatly from your new found friendship. God bless you.
B. (SAH Mommy of 3 1/2 year old twins, married for almost 14 years!)

I'm with Tara on this one. Just remember, they knew when they took the job that they wouldn't be getting tips for taking out your groceries. You could always say something like, "I really hate not being able to tip you for doing this for me....." It may open a door that will releive some of your guilt. Or just don't accept the service from an older person.

Like your story about getting in trouble at Albertson's, I don't think Publix baggers are allowed to accept tips. Most of the older gentlemen who work there, do so to supplement their income and need their job. I wouldn't dare do anything to jeopardize that job...and trying to get them to take a tip might do that.
I do make sure to tell them how much I appreciate their help and remind them that they are why I choose to shop at Publix instead of somewhere else.

Just want to let you guys who think publix pays well know I work at Publix and we baggers only get paid minimum wage. Even the minors have to work with dangerous chemicals to clean the restrooms and work with the waste in the store.

tammi:

I used to work for Publix Supermarkets and the policy it states no tipping. However, the employees are allowed to accepted the tip if the customer insists. (i.e., the three try rule). I used to tell my employees that if the customer asked three times to then take it because this way the customer doesn't get offended.

I hope this helps.

when i first arrived in florida, i tried to tip the elderly people (or younger ones) at Publix, but they said they would be fired.
so i do what the other mom says -- get to know them if they seem talkative or thank them profusely. most of them are pretty talkative & i've been known to stand in the parking lot talking for a while while they told me about their life experiences......also if it is very very hot, i'll respond -- "you don't want to go outside in this heat, do you?"
usually I can tell if they want a break outside or not by their body language -- if they are already pushing my cart & headed out.....or if they look reluctant and stay standing close to the counter, i say "don't worry about it -- too hot for you outside."
i think sometimes they are bored just standing inside next to the counter & want to go for a walk outside.
Oh, and i always help unload because i'm sure bending & such isn't good for the older workers.

I always feel badly too, almost guilty. But I think the rule is the same for everyone no matter the age- "No Tipping". I just don't like putting the person in a situation where they might feel tempted to accept a tip, then get fired for it. I would feel horrible! Worse than not giving them the tip in the first place. I guess we just need to feel good about having someone wanting to help us out since we are lugging kids. Plus I think it's the older guys that are sincere about helping, and they love to get outside once in awhile instead of being couped up indoors all the time. So in a way, you are tipping them a breath of fresh air! :)