I am not arguing for tipping culture, but I question the incentive for rejecting a tip as a US Starbucks employee. I very much doubt that playing a part in desired society-wide change overcomes the immediate incentive of the tip itself.
I don't go to starbucks personally but I've been to local ice cream shops, Cafes, fast food businesses, and others and this isn't too uncommon. I'd say it happens about 15% of the time? Its usually at places where tips aren't as expected anyways, but not always.
