$5.28 for ONE cup of coffee!?

"Can I get a short Americano?"

"For sure. Do you want it in a mug or a to-go cup?"

"Hmmmm... I'll do a mug."

"Yeah, stay a while!"

She rang it up, took my card, and flipped the touch screen register toward me.

$3.28.

I pressed the "$1" tip button, hesitated, then pressed "$2" instead.

"WARNING: Tip exceeds 50% of transaction amount."

I pressed OK, and gladly paid $5.28 for a cup of coffee.

That's almost as much as I pay for an entire bag of coffee at Kroger. And while I love a good Americano, it's honestly not any better than a cup of Seattle's Best at home.

So why was I glad to pay $5.28 for one cup of coffee?

Because the baristas smile when they see me.

Because the seats are comfortable.

Because the tables and the walls are white, and I like the way they look.

Because there are succulents everywhere, and they accent the white walls well.

Because I like this coffee shop, and I want to play a small part in keeping it alive during a pandemic.

I didn't pay $5.28 for a cup of coffee. I paid $5.28 for so much more than that.

Building a sustainable business isn't just about selling a product. It's about creating an environment people enjoy.

Robert

P.S. What about you? Are there any businesses where you tip more than you "should?"