Barista writes "Tip :)" in coffee, Twitter war, begin

That said, I think a lot of people may not realize that baristas make server's wages, so it may not occur to them to tip, or that tipping is as 'necessary' to a barista. Something like a "please tip your barista" sign hanging up in the store or something would feel less intrusive.

The whole server's wage/tipping situation, in the US, is pretty messed up. You're expected to tip your server for doing their job--something that their pay should compensate them for naturally. Only it doesn't, so restaurants can keep food prices low, otherwise no one would ever go out to eat... but then once you get there, you're expected to tip, making the meal more expensive anyway.

Tipping becomes expected behavior that you're made to/left feeling guilty over if you don't do, rather than what it should be; a nice little bonus as thanks for good service. If you want to do that, it just means you must leave a bigger tip.

I did not know that coffee preperation could be so intricate!

The coffee shop is in Montreal, so the same tipping confusion applies as in the USA.