Lanterns and Overrated Service

If you watch HGTV or any similar TV shows, even occasionally, then you're well aware of the possibilities of adding to your home's ambiance for not a lot of money.  I picked up a couple of these little read lanterns at Walmart a few years ago for about $5.  With very little effort, I hung the lantern on the wall of our Missouri log cabin and BOOM there it is.

Not a bad addition for about the price of a Starbucks frappuccino...not including tax or largely unearned tip.  And if we're expected to tip the coffee gal at the coffee shoppe, why don't we tip the kid who rings up our stuff at Walmart or Piggly Wiggly? They're doing at least as much work as the coffee person if not more.  Not that I have anything against the coffee folks.  Some of my best friends are coffee folks.  But what is it about pouring a cup of coffee, even if the coffee has to be steamed and frothed, that makes the person getting it for us worthy of special treatment.  Heck, I bought a chain for my Stihl 361 pro saw yesterday at the tractor place and the young lad who sold it to me had to risk potential injury climbing up a ladder to retrieve it off the top shelf in the parts room.  And, as far as I know, he didn't have a tip jar on his counter.  Now if anyone deserves a tip for retail/restaurant heroism, it was that young man!  Now that I think about it, I'm going to Starbucks right now to ask for the tip back I left last week so I can run it over to the tractor store kid.  And I'm not even going to wait until I get around to it:)

On lantern and tip related topics, I'll do my best to keep you posted....

P.S.  If anyone who reads this is a coffee barista or has a family member or close friend who is a coffee barista, I apologize if I've offended you.  I just feel that when you pay $2-$3 for a cup of black coffee, it's offensive to have a tip jar staring you in the face the entire 8 seconds it takes to pour your coffee.

P.S.  If Peter or Mauricio from 211 Cafe in downtown Bentonville reads this, I love you guys and will continue tipping for your services.  Dangit, there I go again:  More bark than bite!