From sandwich shops to ice cream parlors and even video rental stores, now they're everywhere. You've placed your order and it's smack dab in your face not-so-subtlety next to the cash register. Whether it's a old decorated can, box or generic container, it's hard to ignore the tip jar. And it's become commonplace in the most annoying of places.

Starbucks.

Now speaking as someone who is a raving addict with a Duetto card to boot, I don't mind tipping for services in general. I know what's like to toil in the service industry since many dues were paid back in undergrad. If I'm at the salon, picking up a food delivery, trying to barter with a cabbie or ordering room service on vacation, I always start at the minimum of 15% and add accordingly based on how well I'm treated.

But these snot-nosed, Coldplay obsessed, multi pierced baristas who act like they're doing you a favor? You've got to be out your goddamn mind. In the words of my favorite pasty curmudgeon Bill Maher, "What is it with Starbucks, delis, even dry cleaners all having little jars on the counter? Hmm, what's 15% of "blow me"? Waiters get tips because they "wait" on you. If your job involves standing behind a counter cutting bagels in half, you're not waiting on me: I'm waiting on you. I think that's bi-partisan. We can all relate to that."