Ask Mike: Tipping for Take Out?
Hey Guys,
I like to think I have pretty good manners. I make eye contact when speaking, thank people for holding the elevator, and always return my grocery cart to the proper area. However, there is one area of etiquette in which I may be lacking. When I pick up take out food, I rarely tip. Am I in the right or just plain rude?
I looked around the Web for etiquette experts and found an informative article from MSNBC. The piece quotes Peter Post, the director of the Emily Post Institute, who says “there’s no need to leave a tip when picking up take-out.” Mr. Post goes on to say that picking up food is no different than picking up a car part at the auto store. You wouldn’t tip the guy for a new muffler, would you?
Well, that’s one guy’s opinion, but what about the rest of the world? The MSNBC article asked a few restaurant managers and waiters, and they all said the same thing: When you’re taking out food, a tip is appreciated but not expected. That’s good to know, especially for folks who pay for their take-out food by credit card. Serious Eats correctly notes that putting a big fat “$0″ on the receipt’s tip line can make anyone feel awkward.
But is that anxiety is well founded? A message board on tipping.org is full of passionate posts from folks who feel that not leaving a tip for take out is beyond rude. What do you guys think? When you pick up food, do you leave a few extra bucks, or do you refuse to pay someone to hand you a bag? What about if you pick up the food at the counter, but eat it in the restaurant? Tip required? Leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading,
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
- Rating:
(Be the first!) - Permalink
- Comments (200)
Loading ...
Subscribe
I don’t think it’s rude at all, because if you think restaurant wise, the cooks don’t get tipped, and the host/hostess who are normally handing you food don’t get tipped. Or if it’s a delivery place it’s the same thing, the drivers who actually get tipped, arn’t doing anything so you’d just be tipping people that wouldn’t normally get the money anyway.
I eat chinese take-out often, and my parents never leave a tip. Why should you? They make you the food and you pay for it, they havn’t done you a service like waiters do, so why would you tip them? (Trust me, food prices are high enough.)
Besides, they’re not expecting it so that would be really akward if you gave them extra, and they think you’ve messed up or something and give it (The money.) back to you, and you’re like, “Oh no, it’s yours!” and so on.
Actually, my family and I go to a specific chinese place so often that they’ve stopped charging us full price for meals since we don’t use their coupons! Usually it’s like 22 or some dollars and they only ask us for 20 =)
I have worked in the service industry for over 12 years. My personal rule has always been to tip if you are picking up food from a dining establishment that has servers. Tipping at your local pizza place or asian takeout, is appreciated but unexpected. The distinction comes from two factors. 1. rate of pay, Most people who work takeout in a pizza place or takeout only establishment are payed a full rate of pay, as tipping is not expected. Restaurant workers are usually paid a lower rate of pay, sometimes a fraction of minimum wage, because of their classification as a tipped employee. Resteraunt workers may also have to tip other employees, such as bussers and hostesses, on a percentage of their nightly sales. Therefore, if you raise their sales by purchasing food you should tip to compensate. 2. In a pizza, or takeout place the cooks are usually responsible for packaging the food for takeout. In a restaurant the person who hands you your food is usually the one responsible for packaging your food, and servicing any extra requests you may make
No tip for take-out.
Tip for delivery.
I tip only when a service is provided. My husband has worked in this industry for ten years, as a delivery driver, as a manager, and now as an owner. If it’s delivered, I tip, they provided a service. If I pick it up, I used my sweet time and gas to go get it, I’m not tipping. If I eat in, and am served, I tip. A service was provided. Hair stylists, mechanics, delivery drivers, installation techs (the cable guy), servers- they all provide a service, and deserve to be tipped.
Hi Mike, I agree with you completely. I don’t see any need in tipping the cashier at the Chinese take out down the street if i’m already paying him for the food. It’s not necessary!
I’m a bartender in an establishment that sells a lot of take out. I’d say about 1/3 of take out orders leave a tip. It is not expected but always appreciated.
If you do end up eating in the restaurant I do think you should tip. Not as much as when someone is serving you, but someone still has to clean up after you.
I only personally get annoyed with really high maintenance orders that call in their order, then come in and change it or want you to get extra this, extra that. That’s when I think a take out order should tip. It’s ok if you are a pain in my butt, just make it worth my while.
i worked at a place called moe’s that sold tacos and texmex, and i was so thankful for people that left tips in the tip jar. even people that left $.50 in that tip jar helped out. we all split those tips and it really came in handy. i only made $7.25 at that place and i was a working college student so that little bit really came in handy. as part of karma and being appreciative of people that did tip, i make it a point to leave a tip even if i’m just dropping a few cents in the bucket. the only time i don’t leave money in the bucket is if i know that its a family run restaurant and they’re just trying to supplement their income with the tips. but many takeout people only make $2.13 an hour (including the takeaway people at outback steakhouse, another place where i worked) and trust me when i tell you, those people depend on those tips.
I think it would be good manners to leave a tip when receiving a take-out. Although I don’t think it’s necessary to do so. The car part is totally unrelated. As food service is a whole different relevance.
But yeah, I think a tip would be appreciated, but I don’t think it should be seen as rude when somebody doesn’t leave you one.
Elis
I think leaving a tip would be nice, but it certainly shouldn’t make one feel bad if they don’t. If it was a nice restaurant then sure, but not for take out.
I have worked in take food all my life.Some places didn’t allow tipping if the customer picked up.At a sandwich shop I worked out if the order was rather large the customers usually left a tip.If it was a normal order I wouldn’t even want to be tipped.
No. I do not tip for picking up take out. That’s absurd. There is no service being done there, besides taking the order and making the food. But when we eat in we don’t tip the cook do we? That’s like tipping the person at the drive-thru window, it is not neccesarry.
There are two different situations at work here and you’ve only touched on one of them. If you call in an order, drive to the restaurant and go inside to pick up your order then there is no reason to tip. If you call in your order, drive to the restaurant and wait in your car for somebody to bring the order to you then I think you should tip, especially if you are paying with a credit/debit card and that somebody has to make two trips to your car.
Just my $.02
My answer comes in the form of another question…if you go to wendys or burger king and wait to get your food do you tip them? NO. so you use your money to put gas in your car and drive acrossed town to pick it up there is not tipping required. only on delivery and then 3 or 4$ should suffice.
I believe you should tip. My fiance is a host at a resteraunt. He does do alot to get your food ready. He has to put in the order, make sure it’s being done. And then go retreve and finish it for you.(Ex. Dressing on salads, finishing the salad.)
So seeing that there is some extra work involved, I tip a couple bucks. Would I tip 15 %? No, but a couple bucks says you appriecate what they did.
Well I live in Las Vegas and here we have “tip compliance” so no matter what we a taxed a certain amount for our total sales for the day so if you don’t tip for take out chances are that person is still paying taxes as if you did……………….
I tip for service. I don’t consider cooking food and wrapping it deserving enough for a tip. Would you tip at McDonalds or Taco Bell? The only times I’ve tipped for takeout is if my order is ready unusually fast or they’ve served me free tea/appetizers while I was waiting for it.
I usually leave a tip at restaurants where I know I get great service. I go to this sushi place 30 mins from my house at least twice a month and I always make sure to tip them well. They provide great food and excellent service. I take care of them just like they take care of me when I eat in.
I know I may come off sounding rude but my view is that if you start tipping at take-out, then you’d have to tip everyone you have ever bought anything from- the cashier at cvs who rung up your personal care products, the poor kid at the supermarket who bagged your 20 pounds of fruits and vegetables, the dunkin donuts staff who makes your daily frap, the staff at McDonalds and other fast food restaurants who take orders from high volumes of people and wipe the tables down, etc. I do think a tip is in order if it is an especially large order that requires a lot of careful bagging and utensils, but I don’t think that requires the 18%-20% recommended tip. I think of it this way: if it’s a pizza restaurant, by going to pick up the pizza myself, I am stopping one of the workers from having to take the time to drive over to my house and back- in turn, he or she can spend that time taking more orders and getting to other places faster, making other patrons happier- therefore earning better tip off them. To me, it cancels out in the end. If it is awkward with using a credit card for take-out and not tip, then don’t use a credit card. Use cash!
So in the end, it’d be extra nice if you’d leave a small tip for take-out, but I don’t think it’d be rude to not to. But definitely tip at least 18% for eat-ins at restaurants and delivery.
Tipping on takeout really should be your personal preference. In most restaurants, the tip is shared by most staff (bartenders, bar backs, waiters, servers, food runners, host, etc). Take-out requires the attention of the people in the kitchen – but most places dont split the tip with the kitchen as these guys are paid full – as opposed to the bar tender who only makes $2.80 or whatever tip based minimum wage.
These days, where chain restaurants offer take out as an established option – no tip. If it’s your favorite chinese food – tip them and tip well – they will remember you. If its a upscale local restaurant that doesnt experience too much take-out, then the tip shouldnt be based on the value of the bill – rather a buck or two.
The 2 fundamental reasons behind tipping is to pay for the service you get and to reward the specific staff that served you. So take-out is the grey area. My suggestion is that you frequent the restaurant to dine in as well as have takeout. Tip when there, dont tip when not having take-out. That way, they know you are not cheap and you know you’ve done your part
i work as a carry out and i like a few extra bucks. not 20% but at least something
We have to make sure all of the food is prepared well and make sure everything is perfect.
we also have to put together the meal for who ever gets it
and we have no margin for error, unlike servers who can just replace the meal if there is an error
TIP THE CARRYOUT
I worked as a waitress and host for a few restaurants. It’s true that a tip is not expected but I do find it slightly rude. What most people don’t know is that you are paying someone to be a waiter/waitress. Just because your not at the restaurant does not mean they are doing jack sh*t (pardon my words). When a person places a order for takeout that caller is the host. The cook makes your meal and when done the host checks the order, fixes the drinks if you order any, grabs any condiments that a waitress would inside the restaurant, packs it all up for you and labels your meal so no one else mistakes it.
When your in a restaurant with a waiter serving you they do the same thing a host would to prepare your order and yet you tip the waiter don’t you? The waiter will bring your drinks, bring your food, bring the condiments, etc. As take out that host is getting your order, your drinks, your silverware, your condiments, just because your not there seeing doesn’t mean they didn’t do it.
I use to not make is a huge deal if i got tipped of not, but on occasion there are huge to-go orders. If a host is going to prepare 5 meals and the drinks, they do the same crap load of work a waiter does, there for i believe a tip is somewhat needed. I do not tip all the time, but i tip. i tip when i get ice cream at dairy queen. If i am too lazy to make an ice cream and someone does it for me they are working for it. So they deserve the tip they worked for it. Thats just how i see it.
I used to be a waitress at Chilis, and the to go people really did do a lot. They package all the food and make sure its the way your ordered it, get the soup, salad, and any salad dressings or condiments you may have ordered with your food, and also make to-go drinks. (think about the respondsibility of your waitress if you were to sit down, its not a whole lot different) I would absolutely tip them, and maybe more if its Superbowl Sunday or some other big “takeout” night, b/c that is a pretty busy and stressful time for someone in a to-go position.
As a server and bartender at a huge chain restaurant, I know that I really appreciate tips when doing takeout orders. A lot goes into these orders. We have to wait on the food, pack it all up in individual containers, pack up condiments and utensils, and then take care of any of the extras and changes the customer may have or need after receiving the food. Compared to serving it can actually be a bit more time consuming, and a lot more care goes into these orders. Not to mention when doing takeouts we’re paid only $3.75 per hour and we’re taxed on your food regardless.
I noticed some of the “driving to get it” thats still not a good excuse. If someone is too lazy to cook or doesnt want to make something at home and you want takeout, driving there isnt hard labor, thats crap. someone else is still cooking your food and packing it and putting it together so you get a meal. If people complain about gas then dont order takeout.
sorry if im sounding rude.
you really should tip. the people who work there are often tired and irritable and they get really annoyed with unhelpful people. 16-20 percent is good from the bill to the tip.
You totally need to tip. Sheesh. The person who puts your order together is a server who is paid way less than minimum wage. Usually 10% is expected.
i dont think its rude at all I only tip if they are serving me while eating out not cooking it and wrapping it
I am a server in a restaurant. We take the carryouts. It takes time out of taking care of our tables, quite a bit actually. My rate of pay is 2.65 / hr + tips. We truly are dependent on tips. Now, we don’t have to tip out the bus boys or hostesses, thankfully, as then a percentage of our SALES would be taken out, usually about 10%, which is sometimes barely what I made in tips that night. It is rude not to tip carryouts in places where the servers do the carryouts. Now I worked in a place where I hosted and did carryouts. That was different.
I think if the service is exceeded what you expected than a small tip wouldn’t hurt and especially if the waiter or waitress has satisfied your needs without too much fuss and promptness.
I would say that you should tip. Do you tip the waitress when you eat in? or the delivery man when you order in? Why not the girl who is answering your call and putting your order in, and getting your food together for when you come to pick it up? Obv you dont need to leave anything close to what you should give a waitress (20% MIN for a waitress), but a dollar or so for the takeout person, or maybe even the change off the total, because they are working hard to get these orders out timely and deserve a small thank you!
My son works at Outback Steakhouse, frequently in the Curbside Takeaway section. JJ goes out to the patrons car to deliver their food in all weather conditions. He receives minimally more than the waiters, but still not minimum wage, though; JJ depends on the tips to make up to minimum wage. One night, he made a whopping $7.00 in tips. However, another night, he made a record $76. His normal average is about $15. Is a tip appreciated? OH yes!! Does he “expect” a tip? Kind of. He DOES provide a car-side service in various weather conditions. Also, some Curbside customers have VERY large orders, meaning JJ has to be very careful that nothing spills or flips while being brought out to, and set into, the car, (whether the order is large OR small). Despite the care and attention he gives every customer, some are quite rude; he is frustrated, but polite to them, regardless. Some give tips, many don’t.
Especially if you have take-out delivered to your car, PLEASE give the person a tip! Some of these people depend on them for living.
I work as a Hostess. Hostesses/hosts DO get tipped. We get paid less than min wage and get 10% of what the servers make in tips. However, the only people doing work when you get a togo order (from ANY restaurant) are the people in the kitchen who dont get any share of tips period. So I really do not think anyone should feel awkward or guilty for not leaving a tip when you take out. I mean its how I make my bills every month and I never tip on take out. Delivery, yes.
If you are being served in some way, tip. If you go pick it up and get handed the food, definately not.
I definitely don’t think it’s rude…you’re already paying for the restaurant to make your food, and just because they happened to put it in a cardboard box so you can take it home doesn’t really necessitate a tip. i agree with the auto part example, it’s definitely not necessary. i’m a waitress and even i think its a little absurd to tip someone who did nothing.
then again, i also think its absurd to tip the baristas at places like starbucks. you tip a waitress at a restaurant because she did a good job of taking care of you, meeting your needs, and delivering your food. you DON’T tip her because she made your food, just like you don’t usually tip your cooks unless the food is especially delicious, which ppl rarely do anyway.
Not tipping for take out is rude! Servers do not make much money on the hour and depend on every tip. So just because you are taking it to go, remember someone put that food together for you!
No. There is no need to tip for take-out.
you should…if you dont think its a service for someone to make you food then you are dead wrong…. it doesnt have to be much maybe a dollar at most but honestly if you got it you might as well
I can see most of the people here have never deliverd food nor worked in a resturant.. Delivery people and servers dont not even make min wage there only income is tips. Plus delivery people have to pay to put gas in the car. Please tip these people its how they make money is from tips.
It depends on what kind of restaurant it is. If it’s purely take out, and there are no servers, only cashiers and cooks, then no tip is required (think, take-out Chinese or pizza). But in a place that does take-out and dine-in, frequently, the servers are the ones taking your order, packaging up your to-go food, even ringing you up. Not only does this take them away from their tables (who are tipping them), but even if they don’t have any tables at that time, remember that they’re still just making $2.13 an hour to get your food to you. Some people have pointed out that you don’t tip at fast food places, but remember, fast food employees make three times what servers make.
A couple of people have said something to the effect of “I paid for the food why should I pay them again?” The answer is this: You paid the RESTAURANT for your food, not the server. Tipped employees DEPEND on their tips for their living. By not tipping in that situation, you are paying the restaurant for the food, but you’re expecting the server to pack it up for free. Especially if the servers have to tip out the bussers, dishwasher, etc. They’re usually tipping out a percentage of their sales, not of their tips.
So throw in an extra dollar. They’re not expecting more than that from a take-out order.
I think that they are a few factors when determining to whether to tip or not for take out. Now if it’s a small order then I don’t feel obligated to tip. If it’s a big carry out order, most likely I will tip. It won’t be the typical 15% or more, but enough to show appreciation for getting the order together.
I work at the curbside takeout window at a popular restaurant. I believe it is absolutely right to tip the take-out server. I know I have a biased opinion, but it is not just the cooks making the food and the hosts bringing it out to you. I spend 6 hours packing scalding hot food into boxes and bags with the specific sides and dressings you asked for and getting your drinks and making sure your salad has enough tomatoes and your steak isn’t overdone and your steamed carrots have no butter like you specified while running back and forth between the restaurant and your car in the pouring rain and getting coloring books and animal crackers for your kids and taking more long, complicated orders on the phone that won’t stop ringing and running trays of food to tables when the servers need help. And I make less than minimum wage if you don’t leave a tip.
I’ve worked in the industry as a server and when it was my turn to prepare an order for pick-up, I had to take time away from my other (tipping) tables to do so. I always remembered to include condiments, and napkins, and eating utensils. I did my best to make my customer happy. I expected and deserved a tip. I always give one now.
yes i tip for take out. depending on the restaurants though. i dont tip the full 18-20 percent, usually 10percent because someones got to package it etc. the cooks dont box and bag it.
employees at fast food places are not allowed to accept tips, generally. They are paid minimum wage. employees who work for tips have a lower wage based on their expected tips. At my McDonald’s, tips usually go into the Ronald McDonald House boxes.
If it’s the owner of the take out place I don’t tip. If it’s the same person waiting on me most of the time, or exceptionally well compared to the others. This person may get a cash gratuity at Christmas. This is just like the regular postman and the garbage collector, even though they make decent money. Definitely the gardener. Not the plumber.
If I am doing takeout three or four times a week for the same place week in and week out, at each month end, a gratuity then may be appropriate.
Great question. I tip about 10% on take out, feel like I’m doing the right thing when a nice waitress looks after getting the order for me (even brought me tea while I waited) and confused or foolish when the food is simply handed to me over the counter. I don’t like to write a $0 on the charge slip then either.
But I have to add I do not like those paper tip cups at Starbucks and similar joints.
It depends on the establishment. Where I work, the bartender takes care of takeout. We have to leave the bar to go prep the salads, get the sauces, pack up the bread and ensure the entire meal is present when the order is picked up. If there is not a dedicated takeout person, I usually tip something because they had to leave their usual job to take care of me.
I had no idea that I was suppose to do it until a few years ago. It’s not required, but it’s a nice gesture.
I usually put $1 to $2 on take outs. I figure it will be divided up accordingly, at least I hope so. A lot of them are college kids that are not making a whole lot (I should know, I’m one of them). If you can afford to, and they do a good job, it’s the decent thing to do.
I think it isn’t necessary to tip when picking up from either the restaurant or at the counter of a fast food place. The reason I tip people to begin with is to thank them for their service – bringing my food to the table, pouring more tea, getting the extra fork when my kid drops hers. I tip for that quite well (being mathematically challenged, my rule is $2.00 for every $10, with extra for extra good service).
What am I tipping for when I have to carry the food home and serve it myself? lol
I just leave $1. It’s not too much so it affects my wallet, but it’s also something so the service staff can’t get mad either.
You are in the right. I feel like tipping at a take out place, is not……How shalll I put this….. I don’t find it to be a correct way to work. You’re getting paid to make the damn food, so why should yo ube getting paid extra just for standin’ there and giving me my damn food? I mean seriously.
Get some common sense people.
So, to answer your question, I think NOT tipping at a fast food joint is going in the right direction.
But I think the people on here that do this would beg to differ (:
I always tip my waitresses. That makes sure i have the food i want and the extra’s are there. When I place my order over the phone they know they will be tipped and everything is perfect. There is nothing worse that getting home and finding your order is messed up.Thats what happens when you don’t tip you fav. waitress/ Take care of her and she’ll take care of you.
If there is a person dedicated to doing takeout at that particular place, then I tip. (Especially when they go to the trouble of including all the side items, dressings and such, utensils, etc.)
If it’s strictly a takeout place with just a cashier, then I don’t. I also don’t if it’s just a host handing me the bag.
At most dining establishments, take out is normally handled by the host or hostess. They make an hourly salary unlike the wait staff. Take outs make at least minimum wage if not more so tipping is nice but not necessary.
If the take out chick is hot, why not?
i have worked at a few restaurants with take out, and the reason why you should tip people who do to-go or car side to-go is because they are the ones who put your meals together, package them, make sure everything is there, and that it is done timely.
the people who do to-go dont just stand there and ring you up, they prepare and put together everything.
i am sure that at some coney’s the cooks slop it in a box and throw it to a cashier. but when you order take out from a place like the olive garden, to-go people are preparing meals for 5+ people at a time. sometimes it is even more demanding than being a server.
I’ve grown up in this business. Heres my advice:
If its a place that ONLY provides quick service (ie Chinese take-out, Panera, McDonalds, Pizza take-out, and the like) a tip wouldn’t be necessary, but appreciated. These people more than likely get atleast minimum wage therefore they do not DEPEND on the tips.
If you’re going into a diner, restaurant or any other establishment that doesn’t ONLY do takeout but mostly deal with dine-in service, you should atleast tip something! Heres why. Many of the chain restaurants who offer special to-go promotions do have a designated take-out person, so they MAY still get the minimum wage, but in most other places, the person taking your order and putting it together are not getting minimum, they are getting the tipped server minimum. If they are taking time from their job of serving their dine-in customers who WILL definitely be tipping them to take and put together your order, it makes us feel like crap and like we weren’t appreciated and wasted time doing all that for you. I get really annoyed when I’m busy but I have to leave my post or make my customers in house wait because I have to put together a to-go order that 90% of the time you won’t get a tip for.
So next time you are getting a to-go order from your favorite dine-in restaurant, consider tipping for their troubles.
As a manager of a restaurant, you are supposed to tip for take out.
Servers get paid a wage of $2.13 per hour.
And essentially all of that gets taken away in taxes.
So, their tips are their wages.
If you don’t tip for take out, they are essentially working for free, which really isn’t fair.
Take out orders are assigned to a server, who has sit-in tables of his own. He’ll usually have to enter the order into the system, wait for your order, then make sure everything is packaged correctly with correct utensils and condiments.
You should tip a minimum of 15%.
(%18 and up for eat in)
Someone brought up the point of “if you tip at take our you should tip CVS employees and everyone else.”
Those people mentioned are making a legal minimum wage. Severs are paid $2.13 because it is assumed they will be tipped.
THAT is the difference, and that is why servers are supposed to be tipped for their hard work!
They’re right.
Tipping at a take-out restaurant is always appreciated, but not expected, unless they went completely out of their way to help you out.
If someone delivered to you or you were at a eat in restaurant then 15% is the minimum, but I would tip at least 20%.
I worked in food service for years before I went to college, so believe me–If you’re known as a bad tipper, your food will be late, and cold–not to mention the service won’t be spectacular because they’re not expecting much from you.
I work in restaurants (not Chinese, think Bob Evans and Applebees) where the carry-out person is actually a server on the reduced minimum wage. In that case, their time helping with your food (putting in the order, bagging it, checking it) affects their service to other customers and could be taking out of the tip money they could be making on the floor. It isn’t rude to ask the person who hands you your food if they were the ones who took the order and if they had tables on the floor.
Sometimes, a carry-out person who makes minimum wage will take the order and then a server is the one who has to put it all together. Different restaurants sort out that tipping situation in different ways.
Chinese take-out? Every one is probably paid minimum wage so tip isn’t really needed.
Like another poster above, I don’t usually tip at places with no servers (moes, zaxby’s, chinese places, etc). These people make the same money whether you’re satisfied or not. But at dine-in establishments with servers, I do. I served at Perkins for a couple years and not only did we have to leave our tables to take and place the orders, but we were then responsible for making the salads and drinks to-go and putting the cooked food in to-go containers. I didn’t expect a fulll 20% tip like I would from an eat-in table, but I always appreciated a couple of bucks thrown my way. I felt like I provided a service. The problem is many customers don’t know what goes on behind the scenes and so didn’t share my sentiment.
I just thought I’d mention that most restaurants that offer “pick up” food, include a 10% gratuity charge on the order. While that money is supposed to go to the server who signs the ticket, sadly, it rarely does.
No rudeness there. I think it would be very generous of you if you did tip. I usually tip 20%…it is more spiritual than tangible.
I have worked at Chili’s, and there is a certain single person who is responsible for taking your order correctly over the phone, entering it into the computer, packaging soups and flatware and making sure the order went through to the kitchen, then bagging it before the customer picks it up. That person might even bring it out to the car. It does take effort and skill, and it’s easy to feel underappreciated if no tip is given…or at least misunderstood. Sometimes the person in this position is not available so someone who is already waiting tables must handle the phone order, which adds to the juggling of tables.
So, it really depends on where you’re ordering from. If there’s a place for a tip, sometimes it’s best to give 50 cents to avoid insulting someone.
Hi Mike.
I think you have thegeneral gist of it..You call ahead, and someone just hands you your food and you pay for it…No tip is necessary…But..Let’s say that you’re at Sonic drive-in…Those car hops work almost solely for tips…A buck at this point is great appreciated.
That’s the way I see it anyway..
Now let’s say that you’re picking up takeout and the person has to go back in for you because the cook forgot your ranch dressing or the extra something that you asked for ? This is taking a bit extra time on their part and since they aren’t actually the one that packed the takeout, a buck is in order here too…That’s the way I look at it anyway..
Oh, and ALWAYS tip your pizza guy..
quoted from Joel:
“i work as a carry out and i like a few extra bucks. not 20% but at least something
We have to make sure all of the food is prepared well and make sure everything is perfect.
we also have to put together the meal for who ever gets it
and we have no margin for error, unlike servers who can just replace the meal if there is an error
TIP THE CARRYOUT”
Tell me: What about your statement goes beyond your standard job description? You work carryout, and expect tips just for doing your regular job?!? Seriously??
You like money, and expect people to pay you extra just for doing your job. If you like money so much, GET A BETTER JOB!
I don’t work in the “service” industry, but my work as an engineer certainly provides a service to my clients. EVERY JOB falls into that job description.
I don’t expect my clients to pay me extra money just because I tell them that their specs meet code; I don’t expect extra money just for doing my job, and you shouldn’t either.
When I spend my own gas money and take time out of my day to visit your sandwich shoppe for a pickup order, don’t expect me to give you extra money for handing me a bag with a sandwich in it, no matter how much time you have spent making sure my food is “well prepared.” Think about it: if you didn’t put forth that effort to do your job correctly, then I wouldn’t come back to buy your terrible sandwich.
Instead of whining for tips, you should be thanking your repeat customers for coming back and paying your salary. If you want a tip, bring my lunch to me in my office so I don’t have to spend valuable time out of my day visiting your carryout restaurant.
Answers to this question divided pretty evenly. People who have worked in restaurants explained what employees who take care of take-out orders actually do. It sounds like they deserve at least a 10%-15% tip.
Some people who have only been customers, and have never served in a restaurant didn’t see any need to tip. It reminded me of a similar question that came up back in the 1940s and 1950s: “Do I need to tip if I’m just eating at the counter?” (Many lunch places had counters right next to the food prep area, in addition to tables. Some still do.) I don’t know why people ever thought they didn’t have to tip for counter service, but thankfully etiquette experts soon set them straight.
Since customers can’t know all the Byzantine rules for who gets taxed on their tips and who doesn’t, be nice and give a decent tip for take-out service when the restaurant has both tables and take-out.
I am a server at a restaurant that also does take out. Not only am I responsible for packing up the food, but also responsible for preparing the salads that come with the dinners. It’s more than just writing down an order and handing it to the chef. The time I spend on take out orders takes away from my customers sitting at tables. I don’t expect 20% on a take out order but 2 or 3 bucks is appreciated!!
Absolutely not. At Sonic, sure, I’ll tip the car hop. But at a take out place, nope. Tip them for smiling…? On rare occasion, when someone just goes above and beyond the call of duty- absolutely. Everyone likes to be treated as an individual instead of an order number.
(A) Sometimes when we’ve paid our restaurant bill with a credit card, we’ve marked in a 15% tip, and then left a little extra in cash on the table. Sometimes we’ve put just the cost of the meal plus tax on the card, and left the entire tip in cash, drawing a line through the tip area and bringing down the total.
(B) Lately we’ve been paying all our restaurant bills in cash, and leaving a cash tip on the table.
(C) What do the servers in sit-down restaurants think about all this?
I worked in the industry for 10 yrs and it really depends on the resuraunt…If the host a togo service (like Chili’s) then the person who is doing that part usually makes around min wage. If it is a place that does not have a specific togo place, then it is usually a server/bartender or hostess who is not making min wage (at least in TX). Waiters down here make 2.13 + tips. Also, most places pull out a tipshare for bussers/hostess which is usually 2% of sales even if you didn’t make the usual 15%. Make a waiters day/night…tip them!!!!
10% is not a tip…its an insult
What is this $3-4 b.s.? 20%!?!
Y’all are crazy. I try to tip 5-10% if a server is good, delivery drivers get tipped for fast service and usually only if they aren’t already charging a delivery fee. Some pizza places charge $2-3 for freaking delivery!!!
At some restaurants, it is stupid. The servers have to share tips with bussers and hosts. I was gonna get hired by one of the places as a server but found this out, and turned down the job due to that idiotic policy.
Sorry, had to rant, but yeah… you don’t tip for take out. You also don’t tip garbage men, mail men(cept for maybe cocoa in the winter if they want a cup and you know them like that), you don’t tip for fast food, I am looking at YOU… Culvers, KFC, McD’s, BK, Wendys, Hardees, Taco Bell, etc.
The difference is the amount of pay the person gets. At McDonalds the workers get paid $8.50 an hour and at my restaurant I make $2.65 an hour to make your To-Go orders. I took this job because it is a tipped position. I had no idea that people were so rude.
Depends. I usually tip something. Heck ya tip the pizza delivery guy right. I tip the taco guy that made my taco’s, I tip the Chinese lady that handed me my food. WOW If I saved all my tips I’d be rich but then I wouldn’t get all those extra’s they gave when I keep ordering.
Do what you feel is good sometimes it doesn’t hurt to give a little kick back.
I am a hostess/cashier in a restaurant and I agree with the idea that a tip for take out is not expected but it is truely appreciated!
Appreciated, but not expected. When you eat in you tip because the servers are there making sure you enjoy your meal and that everything is running smoothly. When it’s take out, it’s, well… take out. As someone who works at a fast food restaurant I can say that it doesn’t bother me at all when I don’t get tipped. I love the extra cash, though- because I work the overnight shift and I don’t have to share tips with anyone else, I make about an extra $10-15 a day. That pays for my groceries
That’s just for a fast food place, though- not a real sit-in restaurant. When I started working here I was surprised I got to make tips.
You wouldn’t tip the burger guy at a drive through window to check your bag and hand it to you, why would you do the same for a restaurant?
Does anyone else find it comical that people who do NOT work in the industry are coming on here saying “no, it’s not necessary.”
I used to HATE getting to go orders as a waitress, because I usually had 4 time-consuming tables, who I was expecting a tip from, and therefore, needed to devote extra attention to.
And then I’d get stuck waiting around the kitchen for some guy’s to-go order, I’d package it up all nicely, make sure everything is in there, put in the condiments, napkins, utensils, etc.
Bring it out with a smile on my face, and the guy would say “thanks a lot” and walk out.
What is my incentive to work for free?
I don’t get paid an hourly wage.
I get $2.13 and hour that gets taken away in taxes.
It’s not fair that I had to stop what I was doing, therefore, providing slightly inferior service to my eat-in tables, to do a whole bunch of work FOR FREE.
You DO have to tip for to-go.
Some restaurants have established “to-go” parts, where they hire people specifically to do take-out orders, and they are paid a legal minimum wage.
In THOSE scenarios, a small tip would be greatly appreciated.
But in other restaurants, especially diners, you are expected to tip, since, the server who is doing all the hard work is being paid a “tipped wages” rate of $2.13
In fact, I am taxed out of my gross sales, and my to-go orders are INCLUDED in that.
Therefore, I am paying taxes on a %15 tip that you never gave to me.
PLEASE END THE IGNORANCE!
I agree with the majority of the posters and I am an above-average tipper. I know how Reagan implemented one of the worst taxes in American history by taxing waitresses’ tips and I make it a point of tipping in excess of 20% if the service is good.
However, if I order take-out I do not tip. Tipping has gotten way out of hand.
I am from Europe and we ony tip when the service is very good. The waitresses and waiters get paid a decent hourly wage unlike in the US. I say the owners of the restaurants should give then a decent wage and not leave it to us (the customers) to make up their paycheck. We have to pay for the food and drinks, don’t we??
That makes me so mad.
I work at a restaurant and when people order to go (whether from phone or in the restaurant) it’s very nice to tip. In one store I worked at when you did to go’s only you were paid waiters salary ($3.77/hour) so if you didn’t get any tips, you made no money. Even when you have a regular server or host take your order they are taking time away from their tables to do something for you and make sure your food comes out properly. It doesn’t have to be a tip like if you were sitting in their sections but a little tip lets them know that you appreciate the service they DID give you
I don’t have a problem with for tipping for pick -up (or for dine-in) My beef is why we tip. Read the 100s of comment above mine with servers saying they’re job is hard and even for pick up they still have to take the call, place the order, cook the food, ect. ect. BUT THAT IS YOUR JOB.
Sorry if that sound harsh I too have worked as a server and know firsthand what a difficult job it can be and when your being payed min. wage you feel like you have earned your tip and usually you have.
I have also work as a lifeguard, Receptionist and with severally autistic kids. All these job payed with in 3$/hr. of the current min. wage. I worked dang hard at all of them expediently the latter 1. I was not tipped of any of these jobs and believe me I deserved one!
So I guess in short what I am trying to say is tipping is fine just don’t tell me you deserve one because you ‘did your job’ or ‘it hard’. All jobs are hard!
You know it really depends on the place. I work at a restaurant and a lot of times we have no special to-go person. The waiters have to take care of it. You may not realize it, but we do a lot for a to-go order. We get it ready, making sure everything is right as well as taking care of the payment, often-time ignoring our own tables, who will tip us, for someone we don’t know will or will not tip us. I’d say that if your order is less than ten dollars, it’s safe to say we didn’t do that much work, but I’ve had people who’s orders went over 75 bucks that didn’t leave a dime. Getting ready 75 dollars worth of food, while ignoring my own tables is a lot. I’ve come to a point where I won’t take a to-go if it’s over 4 items, because, quite frankly I can’t afford the money I’d lose while taking care of a to-go. You know, even if there is a special to-go person they should be tipped. Believe me, when someone’s waiting for their food, I have the uncomfortable job of hassling the cooks to make sure you have your food. If that’s not worth a few bucks, I don’t know what is.
I’d say fifteen percent is a bit much for to-go’s, but they do do work for you. If it’s a place where they just hand over the food, then yeah, forget the tip, but if they do work for you, which a lot of times you don’t even know about, tip -em.Is your wallet really going to be hurtin’ from an extra dollar or two? Probably not, and if it will be, go to McDonalds where no one is expecting a tip and your bill will be smaller.
When we first started using delivery I tried tipping the delivery girl. She said I really didn’t have to do that so for quite some time I never tipped any delivery person. Then one day I found out the first delivery girl was the owner’s sister, so as far as she was concerned it wasn’t necessary.
Since then I tip for delivery. Yes, it’s still the same restaurant after over 15 years.
I’ve worked in restaurants for years, waitressing and bartending. I do have to say that not getting tipped on take-out orders can be pretty frustrating. Although I wouldn’t expect as large a tip as if I were actually waiting on the customer, I generally would expect a couple dollars. This is because not only do waitresses and bartenders take the order, but they put it into the computer (if one is used), bag the food up and make sure all utensils and condiments are included, and actually take place in the transaction of money. Keep in mind most waitresses and bartenders don’t make more than $4 or $5/ hour before taxes so our tips are everything…that $40 dollar paycheck once a week really doesn’t cut it! Remember, a couple dollars to you doesn’t mean as much as it will to the person you are tipping!!
There is a reason that food at a restaurant (including fast food and take-out) costs more than food prepared at home: You are paying for people to prepare the food for you. That’s included in the cost of the meal. Period.
If you’re in a restaurant, the friendly and helpful attention that you receive from a waiter/waitress is not included in the price of the food and therefore, a tip is expected.
Of course, if you have the means, it’s always nice to leave something extra, as many of the workers at these places are students or minimum-wage workers and anything extra is always appreciated. But often, the people eating at these places are also students and minimum-wage workers, can’t afford to tip and shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for not doing so. (Not that you are .. I’m just saying)
I have worked in restaurants all my life and I do not tip if I am picking up take-out food.
If it is being delivered to my house, of course.
If I am eating at the restaurant, yes.
If I am picking it up myself? No.
The whole system of “tipping” in our part of the world is so severely flawed – and this is coming from a person who has worked in three restaurants – I think there ought to be a better system.
Absolutely not, they have done nothing out of their way to serve you, and the containers are factored into the cost of the dishes they serve. Give away your money if you want to and can afford to, otherwise pay your bill say thank you, take your food and walk away.
To the people saying that it isn’t up to the customer to tip, and that the employers should pay better:
Imagine how much more food at restaurants would cost if servers made a real wage?
That $5 sandwich you’re enjoying is going to cost you around $10. Food prices would be astronomical.
The system would not work that way.
I don’t know many servers who would work for an hourly wage.
You couldn’t pay me less than $12 an hour to wait tables.
And the service would be HORRENDOUS because we’d have no incentive to do our jobs well.
That’s why tipping exists.
hey mike everyone says their missing you so come back i guess??? well dont really no u that well so hey and by=-l
no way! you seem like you have great manners and tipping whenyou drive to the resturant to pick up your food..?! i mean its one thing to give a few dollars if they drive to you..but when you go out to pick up your food..whats the point? your paying for your food and thats it. plus your already paying for gas to get there.
(:
Im a hostess at a cafe , we do take out and sit in make the beverages and stuff.. Sure tipping isnt required but it sure as hell is appreciated… i would say if you feel bad for the amount your leaving dont even if u leave 50 cents or a dollar thats fine because at the end of the night it adds up for us .. And you might think theres a difference between an actually waiter and someone just handing you a bag with food , Not Much of a Difference because customers tend to be difficult in person and on the phone and we have to deal with that..Not that its your fault but leaving a tip would be nice =]
I was a waitress for about 5 years so i’m a firm believer on tipping BUT I don’t believe you should tip for picking up take out. They fix your food for you, that’s it. They don’t clean up after you, give you refills, or ask how you’re doing. Usually a tip depends on the service you receive while sitting down at a restaurant. Yes it is nice to tip in pretty much any situation but the person serving you should NOT expect it because that is rude.
I work as a waitress at a sit-down Mexican restaurant that gets a fair amount of orders to-go, and tipping really depends on the order. Sometimes the order is quick and easy and I don’t expect to get any tip from it, but sometimes I have to put as much work into the takeout order as I do on regular tables. I have to write down the order, bag it up once it’s ready, and handle the payment–plus, when there is more food than one person can comfortably carry, I always offer to help them take their food to their car.
So, in other words, if you are doing a simple takeout order, we understand if you don’t tip. But you have to be aware of how much work we’re really putting into your takeout order, and tip accordingly.
I’ve waitressed for 20+ years. No, it’s not mandatory that you tip takeout, but it sure is nice. Where I work, we put your order together, we make sure that you have your utensils, your condiments, your whole order is there for you. We bag it, and we make a slip for it. And we ring you out. Meanwhile, my tables are sitting there waiting for me to get to them to take care of them.
So what you are saying is, since you are not going to tip on takeout, good luck on getting your order. Do you think I am going to take my precious time away from my TIPPING tables, so I can get your order together? I rely on my tips. I make $2.83 an hour before taxes. Why would I care about your order?
When I have a take out order, I make sure you have everythiing. When you pay and you don’t tip, I remember you. The next time, you might not have ketchup or salt/pepper or utensils, and I will charge you for every little extra that you want.
Never piss off a waitress.
Again, if you don’t want to tip, go to McDonalds.
I’d like for you to come visit me, because I would take some of your food away. We’re not an auto parts store, we’re a restaurant. Come waiter with me for a few days and see what your aspect would be. Shame on you, don’t be soo darn cheap!!!
I don’t tip when I get take-out at McDonalds… So why would I tip if i get takeout elsewhere???
Mike,
What a wonderful question! I like the response someone gave: delivery,tip;takeout,no. That seems fair.
Personally, I got takeout recently. I gave a tip to the young man who got my order ready and handed it to me. He was personable and conscientious. I don’t stand on formality. The kid deserved a tip, end of story.
As someone who has relatives young and old in restaurant service, I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
D.
im curently working at McDonalds (im 15) and its not as easy as just “handing someone a bag” most of the time you have 4 or 5 orders to do and have to work your butt off to get it too people. I don’t expect people to give me a tip, and that doesn’t really bother me. The thing that really bothers me is how rude people are to me. I don’t think you have to tip at a restaurant, just be nice to the person. Thats good enough for me.
It isn’t required to tip takeout, but if it’s a drive-in like bumpers or sonic, and people actually bring you your food, and offer to refill your drinks (or offer you extra napkins, etc.) it’s appropriate to tip. Likewise, if you walk into Hardees at 9:30 and place your order, and someone directs you to a table then brings your food to you, leave a tip. And if someone at a takeout place is especially helpful, such as suggesting a certain dish or telling you how to get to a certain tourist attraction, then it’s a good idea to tip them.
When you eat in a restaurant, you are paying for the food, ambience, and the server. You tip the server for the job of bringing your food and taking care of your needs while you are dining. When you order take out, you are paying only for the food. I would not ever consider tipping as I will do the rest of the job myself.
I, for one, think that tipping for takeaway is unnecessary. You have used your time and gas, why should they get extra money? It’s like tipping the carhop at a certain drive-in fast-food restaurant… they merely grabbed your bag and walked 10 feet to your car, why should that merit a tip?
I tip delivery persons, I tip servers when I eat in at restaurants, but if it’s just takeaway, I never tip. I seem to think that my tipping manners are sound, I usually tip around 20%, which is probably more than most people. I worked one job where I was a cook, server, and busboy at the same time, and only received one tip in almost 2 years of work, so I know how much they can be appreciated… hell, I barely even got a “thank you.” But, even keeping all that in mind, I don’t tip for takeaway, and I don’t feel that I’m in the wrong.
The purpose of tipping food establishments is to demonstrate thanks for the type of service you have personally received from your personal server or the delivery driver who has delivered your food promptly and in proper condition (i.e. hot, all items of the order are present). In some cases it is appropriate to tip the cook if you feel the cook has done exception work; and it is merely a politeness, but in no way should it be expected, to tip a host/hostess (in properly run establishments, the wait staff ought to be sharing a small portion of their tips with the host/hostess).
However, when your order is a “pick up”, Emily Post – the queen of manner – is totally correct that you need not tip for take out. When you have not received personalized table or delivery service, it is therefore NOT considered customary to tip in such a case (who exactly would you be tipping anyway?). This is why you do not tip in fast food establishments. If you plan on tipping for take-out in a restaurant, then you should start tipping at McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, etc. They’ve done nothing different than when you take-out an order in any other food establishment. Any restaurant worker who tells you that you should tip for pick-up is extremely unprofessional, and ungrateful that you selected their establishment even though they could not/would not order delivery or dine in.
Takeout is a NO NO TIP!
Loud and Clear
They’re right.
Tipping at a take-out restaurant is always appreciated, but not expected, unless they went completely out of their way to help you out.
Hey Mike. I thought your topic was very interesting. I’m very big on etiquette and I’m always curious about learning new things and certain situations that I’ve never came across before. I’m a hostess at an upscale restaurant located at the Sheraton Hotel. I chuckled when I read your line “Serious Eats correctly notes that putting a big fat “$0″ on the receipt’s tip line can make anyone feel awkward.”
That is very true. I agree that leaving a tip is appreciated but not expected. Let me explain though because sometimes, it does differ. For example; there are times when a customer comes in and orders a coffee to go. There is a complimentary coffee station located outside in the lobby where guests can help themselves. If a guest comes in and orders a coffee to go, I have to make it for them and some of them do leave me a tip. That is appreciated. There are times when a guest comes in and orders a meal to go. The kitchen prepares the meal and I have to keep going back and forth while the customer is waiting to see if it’s ready. I also have to prepare the meal, put it together. (Dressings, silverware, bag, etc.) In this case, a tip is greatly appreciated because as the customer is waiting, they can see what I am doing. It’s funny because when I was at work today, there was a united staff crew who was taking an order to go. I printed her receipt for her to fill out and she left the good ol zero on the tip line lol It did feel a little awkward and I was a little pissed because I gave her a free drink and was very courteous. As she was leaving, she left me a few bucks and I was like awww lol I shouldn’t quickly judge or jump to conclusions…I almost never do anyway. Sometimes, if I’m ordering food from drive thru, I do tip the person at the window. But when I’m picking up a order from a chinese food takeout place or a fast food store, I don’t tip. It’s not rude at all. Sometimes when I walk into a restaurant that offers takeout and you see that tip cup, I feel almost obligated to and you feel the burning stare from the cashier as you’re about to leave after paying lol I do tip whenever I see one of those. Thanks for posting this, good day now!
Anyone I ever went out to eat with always tipped the waitresses. They make less than the cooks do. They make below minimum wages. I am not a tipper of take out either. Although my son tips the pizza delivery guy, more than 20% of the cost.
I don’t think it is rude at all, but if you do tip, it’s just you being generous and kind of showing a way to say thank you. Even if they didn’t do much. I don’t eat out much or do take out or anything so I don’t have to worry much about tipping. But if you leave a small amount every time and it’s not hurting your savings, then keep doing it if you like, but you don’t always have to tip for take out.
i think its pretty clear to people in the service industry what their outlined job tasks are when they start the job. acting as though you go above and beyond your call of duty by taking the time to answer the phone (this makes me laugh), making sure utensils are stocked, checking the order, etc. is just ludicrous to me. you realize what you are doing when you take such a position. i am a bartender. our primary focus is the bar, but we have a kitchen open until late evening. the only time i find taking orders to be a difficult task is when i have a full bar and the seated floor is busy also. nonetheless, this is my job. and on the engineer above who says “get a better job,” anybody i know in the service industry only does so to get through school. its the only reason i do, that’s for sure. but i digress. i do not typically expect that people tip on a carryout order, though there are extenuating circumstances. i start work in the early dinner hours and am usually by myself, sans cook. if somebody calls for a carryout order, i inform them of this and let them know that they will have to allow for extra time for their food to be prepared, as i have to make it in addition to serve my bar patrons. do i expect them to tip though? well, sort of. but i do not expect it. even though i make 2.13 an hour myself.
It’s definately not neccessary to tip the cashier or hostess, but their job is not just handing you your food, it’s actually more than that. They are the ones taking orders from you on the phone and making sure that all the food is in the bag, and maybe checking few extra things that the customer has requested. They’re the one dealing with annoying customers on the phone that claim to be allergic to carrots or something.
I think that if you are going to work in a lower end place then dont expect a tip. I always write a $0 on the ticket at subway. You made my sandwich, I’m sorry you had to do your job! Why should I give you extra money? Because your selling a sandwich for $5? Get lost!!! Putting cheese on my sandwich is not a service. I say thank you and have a nice day, that should be enough.
My personal rule of thumb -
When it comes to restaurants and places with similar services, in my opinion staff are paid for the “mechanical motions” ie the efficient delivery of the service. I feel that anything the employee does to go above and beyond that call of duty deserves a tip, regardless of whether it’s an eat-in or take-out establishment. Just my rule of thumb though.
well let me start off by saying that Mr. Post has obviously never worked in the food industry!
Tip on take out: YES!! even if it is a small 5% or the tax, it is still saying thank you. ToGo food is put together most likely by the person you placed the order with. This means they are responsible for checking o your order to ensure it is boxed up properly, has all sides, salads, dressings, etc… then after boxing they then bag it, and add in any extra you may need such as plastic wear, napkins, sauces, etc. There is still a good amount of work that goes into it!
Pick up food at a counter & stay: YES!! again, someone is making that expierence better for you. Someone has to clean up right? In almost all eateries the “bush boy” relies on tips as well. Even if you are just leaving $2, it still says “thank you for what you do”
i like to think of tipping in this mind set: how would you like it if your boss just decided not to pay you that day? How would you like it if you made 1/2 the amount you normally would each day if you don’t do things 100% right??? remember this when eating out!
I always tip curbside take away’s and restaurant To-Go’s. These guys do almost everything your server does, fill up drinks, box salads, prep them, put everything together. Always tip sushi chef’s, they roll you edible art. And at most places with tip jars, I generally always through a buck or two (ice cream stands, subway’s) because these people are making you a sandwhich, making 8$ an hour) is 1$ going to kill you or at least your extra .35cents? If everyone threw them .30 cents it could help. Latley ive been tipping my gas pumper as well. 40$ fillup? 80$ fill up? What the hell is 1$? When gas prices fluctuate .10cents a gallon thats about a buck on a fillup. Give the guy pumping your gas in 0degree or 100degree weather a tip of appreciation. If everyone gave a buck they’d make a good living.
Why tip take away food, only filling belly. When you fill car with food/fuel , do you tip?
couldn’t be botherd reading it all, but ceep up the good work!
anyway…
IT’S MOVIE MONTH! WOO HOO! MY FAVOURITE!!!!
i guess, well my friend (sitting right next 2 me) whistperd to me: “read it, it won’t get posted if u don’t include somthng about it..”…. so i took her advice and have now wrote (3.7 minutes and 34 seconds) on the question rite up the top about the muffler i wouldn’t,
done now read along my friend… the comments are just beginning… oh next issue will be posted on the 11th of november at 5:08 pm (oh and this comment was posted on the 9th of october at 9:36)
I don’t really have an opinion on this but I thought i’d comment anyway. Tipping is near non-existent in New Zealand, people barely tip for anything, if at all, although if i pay cash at Starbucks or whatever I always put the change into the tip jar, mainly cause I love starbucks. But I think, for takeout, if its being delivered you should tip because that is a service being provided, but if yo have to spend your time and gas to pick it up, no tip. Although delivery people in NZ get paid gas and mileage money on their vehicles on top of their hourly wage so the need to tip here doesn’t really exist, but its nice to tip if you have someone who goes that extra mile for you. ^_^
ok… i work at a restaurant and started in the TOGO area. the togo people typically get hourly so its not a required tip, but its usually not very much an hour. Dont get me wrong, I think you should tip SOME, but not 20% like you would on your meal.
now… i read a few comments from people who i think have the wrong impression of how a restaurant works. the hosts dont get tipped, but most dont handle anything after seating the guest – no food. the cooks dont get tipped because they are getting a decent hourly. The bussers either get hourly or share tips with the servers – or both. Last, the servers get tipped because they only make $2.13 an hour. You are paying for the services when you tip; it’s not extra money. If restaurants started paying a higher hourly, the price of food would be a lot higher. of course this isnt the case in california
TIP. Do you realise what it means? To Insure Promptness. In your case at the takeaway you deserve the ti from the management. Youdo have to wait for your order. It is not personallydone to your own specifications and is premade and ready. You still have to hope that you like it.
It is rather disgusting the way you describe a lot of americans being. Dupes. Idiots. Mindless sheep doing what “seems” to be right. No wonder there is ignorance in the world. No wonder people stand in queues to disho out all their personal information. thy just do as they are told and criticise others who take a stance for themselves.
Uphold your stance. It is yours and for you. Yes, we can fool most of the people most of the time but you are the liing proof that you cannot fool all the people all the time. Congratulations.
Are we talking curbside carryout? Or “I walk in and order it” takeout. If my food is brought to my car curbside, yes I tip at least a couple bucks. Those folks rely on tips just like the table staff. As for the rationale that cooks don’t get tips either, waitstaff split their tips with the cooks/hostess staff so remember that when you’re figuring your tip percentage. When I order curbside and a smiling friendly face comes out in inclement weather to make two trips bringing my food and handling my payment, I let them know I appreciate their good efforts and make that statement by tipping. Lighten up America and stop being anal over a couple bucks!
I don’t think it’s rude at all. They are not doing any service for you. It’s a different story if you actually sit down and they bring you food and drinks. I go to Picadilly sometimes on my lunch where I live. It’s a cafeteria style place. I have to go through the line and get my own food & drinks and seat myself. When I check out they always aske me if I want to leave a tip & I never do. The waitress never has to bring me a refill on my drink or get me anything so I don’t feel the need to tip especially when I am getting my own food, drink and seating myself.
I’ve been a waitress, cashier and manager.
It depends on the service I received. If I sit down in a restuarant, I tip. If I pull up at a restuarant and the order is brought to me (like the car hops), I tip. If the order comes to my house, I tip.
The only time I do not tip is when I pick it up at the window or counter.
This is a BIG problem that I face everyday and I am glad that someone has brought this up! I have worked in a restaurant for about 6 years.. since I was 16 and all the way through college. I think that tipping for take out is expected. Where I work we get the orders take the order, get it together (which is harder than a normal order since everything has to go in a different container), and deliver it to you which most of the time is curbside, walking out in the snow, or rain… anywho when doing carryouts I dont think that you have to give 20% but 2 or 3 dollars is nice. My work also does bulk orders for large parties and have businesses call in for larger orders that are sometimes a few hundred dollars.. these people NEED to tip! Its the companies money I think if they can afford to go out and spend 400 dollars to buy there employees food they can spare 10 or 20 dollars..
Another point that i would like to make is the amount of money that servers/bartenders make an hour… In most states it isnt even minimum wage.. I live in Ohio and I make 3.50 an hour plus tips. That doesnt even buy me a gallon of gas for being at work for one hour.. I know must of you are thinkng well you chose this job so you knew what you were gettin yourself into but the fact is a restaurant is the only place that can work around my classes, and all the other responsibilities I have..
Writing this and reading some of these answers just makes me very upset because this is something i deal with EVERYDAY. i get parents that let there 8 year old kid order a $20 rack of ribs for lunch and then they leave me $3 (which again CANT even buy me a gallon of gas) on a $50 bill…or i get those people who order the most expensive food, drinks and deserts and get the bill and complin that its so high and expect me to do something about it…
There is a serious lack of respect for people who serve you.. many times i have broke down in tears because of they way people talk to me or they way they treat me… and this is cominc from compleate strangers… i would never in my life treat somone the way people treat me sometimes..
but anyways the next time you pick up an order or go into a restaurant just think about the person who is serving you… leaving a nice tip or even simply calling that person by thier name instead of honey, sweety, mam, or sir could make there day a whole lot better… just think about some of the days that you have had at work and relize that they too are at work.. the only difference is that you dont get paid based on what other people think of you…
I work togo at a popular chain restaurant and YES you should tip 10%. For one that to go person is making less than minimum wage (governments fault). And in our restaurant the to go person helps prepare the order and brings it out to your car. The argument about you dont tip the cooks that is ignorant! Cooks make at least $8 an hr!! Our restaurant recently changed the system to charging 10% gratuity on pick up and 18% on delivery and paying to go person $4 an hr…
It is not rude because there is already profit in that pack of food which you take away. If you do feel like tipping, may be it is for the extra effort the workers put in. Then again, their salaries include their service, their work and all. If you know that the worker is really poor or in need of more money, then tipping is more like giving charity. There are bad consequences to tipping like it can be seen as a form of blackmailing. With the economic crisis these days, it takes a real rich guy to tip.
A tip should NEVER be an obligation (and I abhore some establishment’s policy of adding a tip to the bill).
However, I am a gracious tipper. I tip when a waitress brings me the take out but not when it is simply a counter service. In establishments where it is counter service but also has seating, I usually throw some change into the jar. Either way, I do not tip at the usual percentage unless I am being served at a table; in which case I tip 20-25% (well above the suggested percentile) for adequate to exceptional service. Poor servers still get something; 10-15%. Outright rude and/or incompitent servers get nothing or a dollar but I can’t even remember the last time I had to do that.
I think it’s a nice gesture but not required. Some places like pizza by the slice will rudely emphasize tipping like “will you beat the guy who tipped $600?”
Tipping regardless is a choice of the consumer.
I work in takeout (pizza/grinders/dinners/desserts… it’s Restaurant takeout) and people don’t realize what kind of work goes into it. Not only getting all the components of the order together, but we take all the sh*t. If one of the drivers get the wrong address, who gets blamed? If the order is wrong, who gets yelled at, by the boss AND the customer? I take over a hundred orders in one shift, and if I don’t remember an order, who’s to blame? Often times, the customer will give me the wrong address or phone number, the husband will call back saying an order is wrong because the wife placed the order! I have people complain to me when something isn’t made to their standards (which are often outrageous, our restaurant is FANTASTIC), and if a driver does a bad job getting there on time, who gets yelled at? All of it goes to the takeout person.
So while I’d like to say you should tip them, no you don’t have to, but if you don’t tip PLEASE at least say thank you. A dollar tip once in a while is Greatly appreciated, don’t think we don’t appreciate a dollar once in a while, we really do.
“I don’t see any need in tipping the cashier at the Chinese take out down the street if i’m already paying him for the food” – Really dude, do you think that cashier gets any of the money going to the establishment? We’re really stressed, and down-talking is something we get everyday.
There is a lot more preperation in getting things to go ..I think you should at least leave 10 percent something to show hey thanks for packing it all up and getting me salt /pepper silverware etc.
I always tip for take out although not the customary 15-20 percent. I usually tip a couple of dollars.
Im really suprised that everyone is talking about how they have to put it together and what not for you. Isnt that what they are getting paid for? We pay elevated prices for food at a restaraunt because they do this. A pizza would cost me 4 bucks to make at home but Im lazy so I would rather pay the extra 10 dollars and have them making it. All in all, my 15 dollar pizza costs them maybe 3 dollars tops. The extra money is to pay the people to work and for the facility, so tipping them would basically be paying them for doing their job that they are already getting paid for. Its like if I have a babysitting service that costs 10 dollars an hour. Would you tip me each day plus the cost for taking care of your child? No, because youre already paying me for what Im doing just like paying the elevated cost is paying for them to work.
The tip jar at STARBUCKS kills me. There, of all places, how dare they. They must think their prices aren’t quite high enough. That is so inappropriate and presumptuous.
I’m shocked to see so many people saying that you *have* to tip and even more shocked to see people saying that you have to tip 10% or more.
I was a waitress for many years. When I had a table, I’d greet the guests and take their drink orders, bring them their drinks and then take their food orders. Make sure to properly time when to bring out the appetizer and then the salads and then the main course. They would often order several rounds of drinks. I’d go back and make sure everything was okay — sometimes they’d ask for a side of this or that, then some times they would order coffee and dessert.
Why on earth would I ever expect to be tipped anything close to the same amount for the above described service compared to walking to the kitchen, picking up the food that was already in to-go containers and carrying it out to the customer.
I’d never look a gift horse in the mouth and I’d happily accept a tip for carry-out if one was given to me, but I never expected one or was unhappy if I didn’t get one.
I will occasionally tip a dollar or two for carryout, but never more than that. I wish people would not tip an amount similar to a dine-in tip b/c it starts to set a precedent.
Your correct food order doesnt package itself!!! Do you realize that take-out SERVERS make less than minimum wage? Tight fisted customers beware…
Okay, my view is going to be unpopular, but here it is.
First, let me answer the question.
NO. No tipping for takeout.
Now, I fundamentally disagree that hairstylists, dog groomers, etc., are providing a service and deserve to be tipped. I believe that they are doing their jobs and that they should be paid an appropriate wage.
The only people that should be tipped are those that are
1. Providing a service that you can do without (shoe shine, waiter, valet, etc)
2. Providing a service in which you have the right/are allowed to ask for and expect service outside of the scope of their job. example, if you ask the maid in a hotel to get you ice or extra shampoo.
Here’s the rule: If you get the take-out from a bar-tender, you need to tip.
You should tip on takeout from a full-service restaurant, BUT not the full amount. Just a dollar or two is fine – about 10%.
Exception: If you’re getting take-out from a restaurant that has a dedicated “take-out” area (dedicated staff, dedicated window/counter), then you can skip it. But if you’re getting it from the bar, just remember that: Bartender = tip.
No I do not think that you should tip when its take-out. If they delivered to your house then yes, they provided a service to you.
It’s an unfortunate system. Restaurents do not have to legally pay waiters minimum wage so they rely on tips. Good waiters can do very well this way but the implication is that the customer must tip.This increases the cost of the meal but if you chooses not to tip, the restaurent still gets paid and the waiter does not. Restauaunts have taken advantage of this in TO GO sales. I can tell you that being a TO GO co-ordinater can be worse than waiting tables because there is no limit to the number of orders you may be responsible for that night. TO GO staff often make minimum wage but the work they do is comparable to a waiter because they have to take an order, place it in the system and then check back with the kitchen and package the order. Then, when you arrive, they must take payment. It may not sound like a lot but when 2 or 3 orders come at once it gets tricky.
Final word: Tip
If there is change left over, I usually will tell them to keep it.
I need to also add that until those people ARE paid an appropriate wage for their services, we need to tip them.Yes, I know it perpetuates the problem, but….
As for tipping the postman, garbageman, etc…HECK NO! most of those people have better benefits, better pay, and more job security than the rest of us.
NO!!!
Leaving a tip for takeout food is ridiculous. What special service have they provided to me other than ring up my order? That’s their job. They haven’t gone above and beyond in their service to me to warrant me leaving extra money for them. If I choose to avoid the delivery charge and tip for a delivered pizza by choosing to order it “pick up” then I’m certainly not going to give it to the person who read my name and put the pizza on the counter for me. I know it can be appreciated (hey, who doesn’t appreciate money?) but tipping for everything these days is getting out of control. It has to be curbed somewhere and take out is a very appropriate place.
A lot of the advice to tip here is based on the premise that servers make $2 an hour. What if you live in a state where all restaurant staff make the same minimum wage as everyone else ($8 or so an hour), plus tips?
I generally tip, even just a small amount for just about anyone handling my food. I prefer not to have spit or worse in my food.
I’ve never had a food service job, but it seems to me that it would suck. I’ve had minimum wage jobs, and it’s hard to live off of them. Even though tips were not part of what we did, once or twice when we went above and beyond (it was a sales job) people said that we should get tips- but all assumed we made a commission (we didn’t).
I just try to put myself in their shoes. Polite they get a tip, the only time I don’t leave a small amount is when I call and my food isn’t ready when I get there, and they take a long time to fix it.
No tip for takeout. You’re already paying for the labor of preparing and packing the food in the menu price so there is no need to give anything extra beyond that. If you sit and eat on the premises, you should tip because the servers are providing an additional service.
Just because restaurant owners are cheap and don’t pay their staff adequately, that doesn’t mean it should fall on the customer to subsidize their salaries.
I think if I am ordering at the window or calling up for an order that I am going to be picking up anyway, there is no reason to tip.
I hope you all understand my point of view.
Do you tip the guys at the local donut shop that are pouring your coffee if you are taking it to go? I surely am not.
These servers/waiters and waitresses make 2.13 an hour. They provide a service for you by catering to all of your needs for that meal….they survive and pay their bills on the tips they make. It is extremely rude to not tip a waiter/waitress when they worked very hard to make your dining experience a pleasant one.
Further, when you tip, you should tip 10% to 20% depending upon the quality of service.
I hope I have convinced you to start tipping your starving waiter/waitress.
Just to comment. Waitresses ARE NOT paid min. wage. Your tip makes it up. If you stiff a waitress, you are basically taking $ from them because of taxes.
15% is now the new 10%
Stingy tippers are Rude.
I have noticed that people that work in the industry say to tip the carry out handlers. People that are ignorent of the service industry are offensive to me. Just because you don’t have to work in the industry doesn’t give ou the right to be rude to those that are doing the prep and stuff on your order. It takes EXTRA work to prepare the carry outs. That is why tipping should be done.
What I find irritating is that when you order pizza for instance they ADD a “delivery fee” usually around 10% of what the bill is and then the driver wants you to tip them. Um…when I tip a pizza delivery guy it is usually 10% of my bill….just because he got in the car and drove it to my house. I don’t think I should have to tip him if the company just added it for me and called it something else. It isn’t really much of a service if you really think about it. So why would I tip a guy who simply dropped food off at my house, didn’t take the order, didn’t WAIT on me, the same that I would tip a server? A SERVER serves you….they WAIT on you….a DELIVERER just delivers it to you.
So no you don’t need to tip for take out.
I leave a tip when I get take-out because the server still has to check on my order occasionally while she is serving customers eating in. So it still makes her work more, even if she does not do as for eat-in customers. Plus, there’s a line on the receipt for a tip, seeming to suggest that a tip is expected. Or maybe it’s just some additional computer programming logic that they left out for eat-in vs. eat-out customers. Plus, my mother used to be a waitress, so I know that servers make most of their money from tips.
I live in California, where minimum wage is $7.75 (last time I checked) and that’s the minimum wage…period! That’s the lowest a person can be paid by their employer, tips or no tips. I was shocked to learn that my cousin in Arizona made only $2.00 at Outback Steak House. Food at the Arizona Outback was just as expensive as the food at the California Outback. I think servers should unite and demand a fair wage from their employer. I sure as s*** wouldn’t agree to work someplace where I wasn’t going to get paid for doing my job, and had to rely on customers to pay. I tip, but I also know that if there wasn’t any money in it, people wouldn’t be working at resaurants, or at the very least, wouldn’t be working for practically nothing. Servers in the states where employers don’t have to pay minimum wage, band together and tell your state government to abide by Federal law.
Fight for your rights! My sister worked at Johnny Carino’s during the lunch shift and frequently had to pay money out of her own pocket to bay the bartender and bus boys because she didn’t make enough in tips to pay each person the expected portion. I told her to tell her boss to open the register and pay the others if that was what was expected. Get some guts people or get a better job!!!!!!!!!!
In these hard times, I tip everyone I see. No one is doing well. If we don’t help each other right now we don’t deserve to call ourselves civilized.
i dont get why this is such a big deal
i mean i understand you want to have good manners bu not tipping take out how is that rude
i work in the restaurant buisness. you should deffinitly tip people who deliver, sometimes more than what you would tip a waitress if you live far away. cause deliverers have to pay for gas. for take-out, if they have a tip jar, put anout 3 bucks in it.
I don’t tip take out. I see it as the same as going through the line at McD’s and tipping the cashier. You tip a server for good service, a hairdresser for a good cut, and your housekeeper for loyal service. Take out is take out, whether it’s from a chinese, pizza, or chain restaurant. Delivery is a different situation, though. ALWAYS tip there!
It is very polite to tip the take out person. You are supposed to thats why they have the line for tip if you pay with your credit card. Yes the cooks dont get tipped, but generally they get paid more, because when giving the take out person a raise they have to include their assumed tipped wage in there also so they essentially get paid less. No the hosts don’t get tipped because they don’t handle your food. The take out person gets everything ready for you as a server would. So why shouldn’t you tip them?
A tip for take out SHOULD be left all the time. It doesn’t need to be exactly 15 or 20 percent of the total bill, but it should be something for the server’s trouble. Since you are not sitting down to eat with someone at your beck and call getting you what you need, that is why you don’t need to tip very largely. But, know that a take-out server is working just as hard as the other servers. The food doesn’t just magically appear before them, wrapped up and ready to go after you place your order. The server needs to put together all the parts of your meal, make sure it’s packaged correctly, include all the extras you asked for, etc. etc. As a restaurant server I understand how frustrating and sometimes infuriating it is when a customer leaves you zippo for the hard work you’re doing for them. Something is always better than nothing, and will be greatly appreciated by your take-out server.
No, you only tip for service. The fact that you are taking food out versus eating at a table eliminates the need for you to be served. You are not being served therefore, no need to leave a tip. This is true all over the world. People that tip for take out either do not know any better or want to tip for everything.
The question is, should you tip for take out?
I only tip the staff when I go to a pub and order lunch from there. (most of the time they have awesome lunch menus/food) Otherwise, I do not tip for carry out/take out.
But, when I dine in with just myself or my family, I always try to leave at least 20%. Sometimes more if the wait staff is on the ball.
Let me ask this question tho. Where I live, alot of the places charge a delivery charge. Like all the pizza places, sandwich shops, chinese parlors, etc…
Do we still tip the delivery driver knowing you are already being charged for that delivery?
Anyone who does a service for you deserves a tip! Yes even if you are picking up food from a restaurant you should tip. Just because you are taking the food togo, doesn’t mean we did less of the work?! yes the cooks prepare it, but the other person bags it up makes sure everything is correctly in the bag. Not a crazy amount of a tip, just a dollar or two.. if everyone gave a dollar im sure you would get better service, and tip them before they give you your food!
ALSO, when you pick food up at say the carryout area and then want to go sit down at a table, you should still leave a tip, you are taking a table away from that server, where he/she could be taking a table making a tip, so if you want to sit in that table make sure you leave a couple of dollars on the table.. it doesnt have to be 20% because the server didnt do anything for you, but she let you use her table when she could have been making $6-$10
I do not think it is rude. However, an example: I worked as a waitress for awhile and some of the places I worked we dreaded taking orders on the phone bc we had to place it in our que as if it were a table. We were taxed according to how much the bill was so since we did not receive a tip, ever, we were out money and we had to prep the order for take out when it came up even though we were often very busy and we made $2.13 an hour.
Sucks, but so not rude. Not much wait service was provided. To combat this many places charge a gratuity anyhow.
Oh, if you eat in and leave no tip… that is rude. Then its like you tried to get off on a technicallity… plus I’ll have to buss your table, and the non tippers tend to leave a bigger mess… usually people who were in a bad mood when they came. Its hard to cheer someone up, but thats kinda our job, isn’t it? not in an obnoxious way… i won’t agrrevate anyone, and I won’t be rude if i see you again and notice your the no tippingmess leaver.
most waitresses, waiters and hostesses make dirt for salary so they need tips to thrive. i worked in a restaurant where the waiters make 2.15 an hour! they need tips it is your duty to tip them. chefs and cooks make very decent salarys, buss boys make like 5 something and take out guys make 10 – 20 percent of what they sell so you need to tip.
i been in the industry for a long time…..so for take out rarely unless you did them a favor or they are pissing money….where i work it happens a lot…..so dont worry about it…..and remember restaurant people rarely forget….so act accordingly and dont be like some of the …uh …….coothless people that that have commented here….
don’t tip for takeout, ok so maybe the waiters are paid a reduced rate but the manager isn’t. let the manager run the takeout register. thats only good business sense. tip someone for handing you a box over the counter. next you will be tipping someone for pushing the elevator button for you when you get on
don’t tip for takeout, ok so maybe the waiters are paid a reduced rate but the manager isn’t. let the manager run the takeout register. thats only good business sense. tip someone for handing you a box over the counter. next you will be tipping someone for pushing the elevator button for you when you get on
I don’t believe it’s rude not to tip.
Especially for pick-up, if I have to drive and go inside and pick up my food, I’m not leaving a tip. Would you leave a tip for the McDonald’s worker? I wouldn’t think so.
However, if I go to a restaurant where I ordered my food, and the worker over the phone took my order, made sure my order was made correctly, and took my to-go order out to my car when I pick it up (i.e. Applebees or Outback Steakhouse) Then, yes, I leave a few bucks tip when I pick it up.
Or for instance, Sonic, if they rollerblade out to my car or walk my food out to my car, then yes again I leave 50 cents to a dollar tip.
Delivery is of course a tip granted, no question there.
If your order is late, I kind of frown on that and leave less than a tip I was originally going to give.
And, eating in a restaurant, if you go to a buffet, and have to get your own meal, but however they bring drinks to your table, that’s a $1-2 tip. Depending on service. A casual restaurant is usually 15% tip, depending on service received.
It’s just common courtesy, give a tip depending on how you were treated.
I always tip 20% when I eat in. I don’t ever tip for take-out.
However, the idea that anytime one patronizes a dining establishment, eat-in or take-out, we owe them a gratutity because they did something for me rubs me the wrong way. The problem is not whether or not a patron chooses to tip, but whether or not the employer chooses to pay his employees a living wage rather than forcing them to depend on “the kindness of strangers” for their living. Blaming the customer because a server is not making a decent living is unfair, especially in these times, and with food costing as much as it does.
And what do people who work in take out restaurants expect? Of course they have to put the order together. That is what they do, or there would be no business. When I make a quilt to sell, I don’t expect people to pay me extra because I had to make a lot of stitches. I make my product and hope people will like it and buy it. If I have to hire people to help me do what I do, I should pay them a fair wage, and not expect to pay them a pittance and then depend on strangers to make up the difference.
When I go out for a hamburger, fries and a coke and the check is $13, add another $2.60 for a tip, and it makes eating out something I may not do very often.
I agree that gratuities or “tips” have gotten out of hand. 10% used to be considered generous. Now many servers are insulted to get “only” 20%.
I also don’t like servers who are overly familiar; first of all, they don’t know me, and are not part of my dining party, and it is embarrasing to have my companions or myself chatted up by waitstaff, when the intent is so transparent – a better tip.
A tip is for your Waitress or Waiter, right? Takeout has no Waitress or Waiter – ergo, no tip.
I tip for service provided to me by waiters and waitresses in a resaurant, or by delievery persons who deliver my food. I don’t tip for take out- there was no service preformed beyond cooking and putting my food in a to go containers, which is part of the cost of the food bill.
I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend, with tip jars decorating all fast food drive-thru places now- and have noticed a definite difference in “service” dependent on whether a person places a tip in the jar when paying (drive thru you pay before receiving your food, sometimes many minutes before you receive your food!) or not… makes me feel like my food and the condition of it is being held ransom dependant on whether I’ve tipped the Burger King/ Taco Bell cashier!
i dont think people should tip. sure they work hard but they could be messy. if they wait on you then it would be wrong not to tip. i dont tip if im ordering out. sorry but thats what i think
No delivery or table service, or if it’s the owner, no tip.
Does everyone expect extra pay for doing their job?
If it is a waiter where tips are part of the compensation, tips are mandatory for all but terrible service.
The owner should not get a tip. If he or she wanted to make more money, they could raise prices.
i worked at ruby tuesday as the takeout person for over 2 years. we always considered it extremely rude when someone did not tip. We recieved 2.83 an hour, just like servers, so there was no extra income for us, other than tips. When you order takeout, especially at a restaurant rather than a fast food place, alot of effort goes into putting your order together. A brief example of what is mean is this: i would answer the telephone, take an order, put it into the computer, wait for the food, put it in the togo containers, add all the necessary condiments and silverware, print out the check, bring the food and the check OUTDOORS (no matter the weather), collected the money, brought the payment back indoors, and either made change myself, or ran the credit card through the computer, then brought that persons change and/or credit card back out to them, usually to receive no tip. It would be nice to see more people leave a tip to the takeout girls, they do lots of work also.
Automatic tipping is a ridiculous custom. Wages should be paid by the owner of the establishment and included in the bill. If the workers aren’t doing their jobs then it is the managers job to fire or train people correctly.
Tipping is wrong and sets up a false pretense between customer and restaurant. Tipping is simply another form of legal extortion that we have set up for ourselves here in the west. The workers should be paid a salary, not paid by the whims of people they serve. People should pay for their food, not pay for their food and then have to pay extra just so some waiter doesn’t spit in their food next time.
Automatic and expected tipping under any circumstances is wrong.
I work as a bartender at a Red Lobster. I don’t know how most restaurants work, but at Red Lobster the food does not magically get itself ready. Who do you think takes your order, rings it up, makes your salads, puts your dressing, sauces, silverware, napkins, dessert,etc. in the bag? Who puts together the order and makes sure all the extras are in there? At Red Lobster it is the bartenders on the weekdays, and yes we appreciate tips especially when somebody has an order with ten salads. It is not fun to be stuck in the kitchen getting sometimes pultiple orders ready while you still have people coming to the bar for drinks. So yes, please tip your servers regardless of where you choose to eat the food!
Its simple: don’t eat out if you can’t afford to tip at least15 to 25%. or next time you will get spit in your food. Stay at home and cook it yourself if you have a problem.
I used to work at T.G.I. Fridays. They paid the curbside service (people who take your take-out order and give it to you when you get there) more money than the servers! As a server I made last 3.12 an hour…and curbside nearly 10.00 an hour. Big difference! In my opinion, if it is a place like that…I would NO WAY tip!! But if it is a place where it is a waitress taking your order to-go then I might give a couple bucks. But honestly, I don’t feel I need to. And some places (Like our Ruby Tuesday) now adds TIP to the CHECK for ALL To-GO orders!!! It has a statement on the check that if you have a problem with it to talk to a manager…but who wants to go through that deal everytime you order take-out?
i work as a takeout employee and i think people should tip for take out. definately not 20% or anything, just a few bucks that says hey, i appreciate it. i dont expect any tip at all on anything that costs ten bucks or less though. thats just ridiculous.
sometimes we’ll get $3,000 orders and have to prepare them. that requires SO much work and then we have to carry all the heavy bags to their car and go over everything with them so they wont have to come back and double check they have everything they want… so i do see it as a little rude when they dont tip.
at the restaurant i work at we do curbside pick up, so i have to walk in and out twice no matter the weather conditions which can be quite a hassle
I guess it is wrong for the people at the counter to give you an open voucher with the big Tip line. What I think is right is that they give you a closed voucher with the charge done completely already assuming that no tip is needed/required/expected.
okay if you dont tip when you get like the to go orders at applebees, chili’s, etc. you are a just plain A-HOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i worked at applebees for over a year doing the to go “take out” orders and seriously tips are pretty much HOW THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY. they have to put everything together for you and bring it out to your stupid car. it is the EXACT same thing as if you were to go to a sit down restaurant, or sit down at the restaurant that you go to. EW YOU PEOPLE WHO DONT TIP ARE THE RUDEST PPL. SERIOUSLY IF YOU ARENT GONNA TIP THEN DONT FREAKIN ORDER FOOD!! CHEAP ASSES.
i downloaded this game called combat arms. by nexon. when i go to it it loads then go to combat arms screen for 1 second how do u fix it. i already tried to reinstall it and stuff so what do i do?
I work as a “to-go” person for Glory Days Grill.
Servers get payed about three dollars an hour, while “to-go” personnel get payed five dollars an hour. The reason for this is people rarely tip us…
We do the same thing as servers (garnishing food, ordering it) except we put the food in doggy bags instead of plates.
In conclusion, when servers make 100$ a night, we make like, 30$ in hourly wages, and 20$ in tips.
We like you more if you tip. Because then we might actually make decent money.
No not at all.
This is ridiculous. The guy who hands me the food had nothing to do with making the food. All he did was hand me the food. Tipping him would be ridiculous.
I used to work at a chili’s in downtown chicago. It had the largest togo sales of the chain. I agree that it is appriciated but not required, but if you are giving a complicated order and modifing everything you realy should tip just for making the poor kid working that counters life hell.
I guess no one really addressed the issue of states where servers make the same minimum wage as everyone else.
At any rate, I usually don’t tip for take-out, or if I do maybe $1-2. However, when I get take-out, I’m calling in an order from a restaurant with counter service. It’s no different to them; they get the order over the phone rather than from the cashier, and I don’t have to wait in the restaurant for the food to be ready.
I don’t get “curbside” to-go from chain restaurants, and frankly it just seems pointless to me. If I want a pre-prepared dinner at home, there are things I could get at the grocery store for a lot less. But I can see the need for a bigger tip in this situation.
No, I don’t think you should feel like you have to tip during a take out order…yes, someone had to get the food ready but they also do that at McDonald’s. Do you tip them?
On the other hand, I DO tip them, but I’m saying that I don’t think you should feel like you have to…
Funny thing is…I bet you that 1/2 the people on this board who say that they don’t do anything except make the food and hand it to you…are also people who tip the guy/gal at Starbuck’s for making you a cup of coffee.
I work as a manager in a pizza place. I have worked both in the store and as a driver. If you order Delivery, then yes you MUST TIP! The driver’s make minium wage, and ruin their cars by driving through traffic all day. In stores are usually paid .50 cents to a dollar more to answer phones, make the pizzas, cut the pizzas, clean the store and cash out the costomers. I personal I think that the cooks do deserve tips as much if not more than the drivers, but it is not required. By the way the only reason that the delivery driver makes the tip is because of the cooks who make the pizza for them. All the drivers really do is bag the order, drive there, and get they money, the only reason they really deserve the tip is because the cost of gas is crazy and to keep up on their car mainance.
I think U must give a tip if U have a lot of money! USA is full of rich people! Don’t be stingy like another asian country, where many poors live! Just give a tip to anybody! Although it’s just a penny, many people will appreciate it so much! Give more, better than receive! Jesus will love & bless U so much! ^^
In most cases I would have to say YES! Why are people so cheap!
If it is a place like McDonalds… They don’t expect it. Tho in some instances it would be a nice gesture. Say, if you take that bag of grub to their tables… somone is going to come and do the service of cleaning up after you. Not that you would be messy but just think of all the greasy, sticky kids fingers that were on your table right before you. While this type of fast food generally pays someone better than someone who works for a lower wage. It would be nice to leave a tip for them. They also may have gone an extra distance in preperation because you didn’t want the onions that come standard on every burger.
If it were like a small teri-yaki take out, definately yes. Thoi the service you get may seem a little limited, Someone is still cooking it for you and is provideing a service. They are packaging your order and making sure you have everything included. In cases like this… if there is a tip jar, yes they accept tips and you should at least leave a little something for them.. maybe around 10 %.
As for a regular sit dow restaurant… always.
I have been in the industry a long time and it is not a very thankful one one way showing your appreciation is sending a few dollars that they may not expect.
Being worked in one of those coffee shop/family dining restaurants… servers were always having to answer and take orders by phone. Then package and fix any other items for the guest. All this while taking care of their own sections of people who were sitting and going to give a tip upon their finishing. Serving someones to go was a pain in the a** and hardly ever compensated for it. Not to mention the time it took to get all their stuff together taking away from their regular customers who were going to tip.
You tip cab drivers, hair dressers so why not tip someone for doing a job of servicing you.
Tips are suggested I believe where ever you want to give at tip you should be able to. I work at a car rental place I love it when people give me a tip it is a way you tell someone that your thankful for their service. I don’t expect anyone to tip me but it does help. Some one tipped me five bucks the other day When I left the store I saw a bum I really didn’t need that tip I gave it to the bum the money (he has to get food sometime so I know my money when towards food). I never carry cash so that bum go lucky. The point is Karma. You help someone out so that they can help others. It goes around. Speaking about drive thru work the pay is horrible If you tipped the guy the service might improve. I have worked fast food too. It helped me when I was completely broke. So that I can pay to eat at work. If I wasn’t broke sometime I refuse tips. Think about if those workers got tipped I think all the kids would work there and they might get you order right for a change. How would the rest of you do on minimum wage part time. Also they have to put up with the worst customers. If you worked weekend night shift most your customers are drunk a holes who yall into the board and waste time. After that person you get a snob who wonders why your taking them so long. As far as being rude not leaving a tip at take out. I don’t think it’s wrong. People are not expecting it. When I got it I can and do. If I don’t I don’t. I think it’s a good thing maybe to have guilt about not giving a tip. It just shows that you care, most people wouldn’t care to think about it.
Christy I drink like 5 glasses of water ask for bread, cheese, stake sauce, butter or what ever when I sit down for a meal. You see me only once you don’t have to put up with me for 30 minutes unless you F every thing up. You have the least amount of work there. I’ve worked in a restaurant. Sound like you need another job if you worked there for a year and your not a waiter. That job suck. Say if you only seen me for 2 minutes do you think you deserve to be tipped like a waiter or the time that you helped me? You don’t do exactly what a waiter does. .
Places that are specifically designed for carry out don’t really require a tip for take-out because the employees will be paid at least minimum wage because they don’t qualify as “tipped employees.” However, I work at a bar, and I get paid $2.65 an hour. I don’t expect people to leave me 20% on a carryout, because I don’t have to clean up after them (usually) or keep checking on them, but I DO package everything, and take the order. When I am not tipped on a carryout, it feels like I’ve been working for free, which isn’t a nice feeling. Give me at least a dollar for my trouble. Especially if you sat down at a table while you waited and messed it up!
Also, I would like to make this point that when I have to do a carryout, it takes my time and attention away from my tables, and it would be nice to be compensated for my time.
Also, growlers. People are TERRIBLE about tipping on growlers. I still poured your beer, tip me for it.
I don’t think it is that difficult to figure out which places have designated carry out people, and places where underpaid servers are taking care of carry outs.
I do not think that it is rude not to tip for take out. It would be OK to tip but not an obligation. It is a different matter if you eat in and a waiter or waitress take care of you.
I worked at a chain italian restaurant as a Host and a Carry-out server and we much appriciated the tips. Carry out was a lot harder than just putting things into bags, because often or not for myself I was putting pizzas into boxes, cutting them up, packaging pasta and putting sauces on, loading them into warmers, getting rolls and butter by request, while hosting tables, helping/getting in the way of servers, doing transactions and answering phones all on minimum wage, because “The tips make up for the rest” as we were told. A single carry out order could easily send me around the entire restaurant a few times. Carry-Out is the same thing as being a waiter, just with less conversation and drink refills. We take the order, prepare the food, cater to needs, deal with problems and check you out. It’s appropreate to tip.
I see a lot of people on here comparing ordering take out at a restaurant to getting fast food. I can see why people think this way, but it really is not the same thing. Here’s the difference: employees at a fast food restaurant are being paid at least minimum wage and do not have to claim tips while bartenders and servers who prepare your to go order are making $2.83 an hour at most places and are required to claim tips based on their sales. This means they have to pay taxes on a tip that they may or may not have received for your to go order. Also, cooks are not a good comparison either for the same reasons.
No tipping on take-out. Enough is enough. What’s next, a tip if the restaurant answers the phone, a tip for being polite to the customer ? Servers have been trying to change the norm on this take out topic recently. Very credible – Talk about advocating your agenda. Many have been claiming insult on any tip less than 20% post tax. Many are advocating 20% as a bare minimum, and pushing for 25% without any reference to the level of service. Trying to change the custom for person gain.
I tip appropriately for traditional table service, and the level of service. With take out – I call in an order, in my case the cooks are the ones who puts the order in a bag or container. The owner or waiter rings it up and I’m gone.
And please stop the “servers only earn below minimum wage” sob routine. They more then make up for that on regular table service tips, and I’m sure their reporting all that income to Uncle Sam (LMAO).
With take-out the restaurant does extra business, which keeps them in existence, which keeps a job for the servers. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Tip, but not more than a buck or two. They put together your order and deserve to get tipped for this service.
If you can not afford to tip, then it is probably best to pinch your pennies and eat at home. (this is also a good way for cheap people to lose those extra pounds!!!)
Why do we as people do not appreciate for the job well done when an individual is still alive?