Tipping Rules for Takeout and Delivery

I used to spit in the food of a repeat customer who didn't tip. Ok, I am lying, but I am going to tell waiters and waitresses to start doing it, because there are alot of assholes out there. Ok, maybe I won't. but, I can still leave this comment. As for the lady whose son was a pizza guy? I delivered for about a month and a half before I quit. It's a hard job! and, people who order pizza anyways, are dumb. it is true, they don't tip! back when I worked the pizza joint however, we got 100% of our tips, and it still sucked. when "Dominoes" claimed they would be taking a portion of our tips, I said, "and are you paying for my gas?" when they said "no" I told them to take the job and shove it. I haven't really looked back until now, and that was 12 years ago. to work as a pizza delivery driver is counter productive, unless you are just rich, and trying to do something with all your free time. it DOESN"T pay for the maintenance of your vehicle, it depreciates the value, and gas is expensive anyways. there are just better things to do with your time! I think I'd prefer to sell flowers on a street corner. at least there, I'd be making a profit! by the way... DOMINOES.YOUR PIZZA STILL SUCKS.

I try to be fair i leave 15% if she is pretty i leave
20%

To go/pick up/take out orders should be tipped just like regular wait staff. Don't you ever notice how well your take out order is packed? All those containers, napkins, utensils, little extras, depending upon the place sometimes it's like a "table to go." Customers often do not realize how much hustling it takes to put those to-go/take-out orders together. Tips are definately in order. Let's face it -- some people are just cheap. They can make all the excuses in the world for why they don't do it, but basically it comes down to being cheap, selfish and thoughless.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto You! Put yourself in their shoes, just for a momemt...

I have read a few comments with great interest and frankly surprised by some of the responses. Here's my two cents, and you can take it for what it's worth.

I agree on the idea of paying service professionals a living wage, rather than this whole idea of tipping. There are a few cutting edge restaurants trying to bring the concept here to the U.S., but the owners eventually cave and put tip jar out, so sad...

Always tip your delivery person, that's just rude not to tip them. They spend gas, time, sometimes circle the block trying to locate your house and merit every bit of a 20% tip, unless noticably late, only if your food is cold.

Always tip your waiter/waitress, stylists, beauticians, unless they fail to deliver prompt service. Now to be fair, TIPS stands for To Insure Prompt Service. So if you don't receive that service; your server receives LESS or NO tip. Don't like it? Quit, it's just that simple. Also, don't try this 20% is the new 15%, because if most servers were honest with the recession I suspect 10% is the new 15%, although I always tip 10-20% (broken out 10% for fair service, 15% for good service, and 20% for excellent service). Don't like it? Quit.

Finally, I NEVER tip for take-out. If I felt like tipping for take-out; I would just enjoy a nice night out. Carside take out is different, you might get a buck. I NEVER tip my laundry person. I NEVER tip for people making my food, like at a sub shop or ice cream parlor, do you tip at McDonald's? Is that the next step? Maybe it is but you won't find me supporting the behavior.

Some places have a dedicated take-out (curb side) individual who does not make minimum wage. They take your order, expo it to the proper containers (add the finishing touches to your food and plating, including the addition of toppings, dressings, and anything else that isn't cooked), bag it up ensuring everything is correct and you have any extras or modifications you need, then get it to you on time all while answering every single phone call that comes in, performing cleaning duties, and managing a cash drawer. If anything your tipping policy is wrong to leave a "few bucks" to carry out and then 20% for delivery, when delivery drivers are only one step in the process and carry out people actually handle and prepare your food, making sure it is exactly how you want it. I have handled single carry out orders in excess of $200 only to have the callous pharmacy reps who place them leave me with nothing, and it is wrong. Good customers are remembered well, as are bad ones.

i was a server for 6 years and i do NOT think i should tip for take-out. i love to eat out & will tip well for that! but with take-out,you are still paying a high price for food but not getting all the benefits of eating in.a delivery person? yes? but why pay tips for take-out????
unfortunately,the government allows restaurants to rape the service industry by making servers rely on tips. TAXED tips.and the government taxes servers as if they are actually getting 15%.but they do NOT. after a good night they still have to tip out bussers,bartenders and etc, who will look at you crazy if you had a bad night b/c they still want their fare share of YOUR tips!!! rest should just add the tip like they do at banquets or hotels. what do you think>>??

Darin, you are very childish. Tampering with food is a crime, people eventually talk, you will get caught and you will go to jail. Don't believe me ask a lawyer or educate yourself, by reading a few articles online. I look forward to reading the dumb crook news and seeing your photograph!

It's funny though isn't it? The people who scream the loudest about tips, are the poorest servers. Why don't you try an experiment? Try it your way for a week with all your childish behavior. Then try to deliver excellent service to every guest for a week. Don't try to figure out how much of a tip you will make, just treat every customer as though they tip 20%. I bet you will make more money trying to deliver excellent service.

I have always been curious as to where to find info for tipping on take out service . . . I leave 10% as they haven't had to necessarily "wait" on me but they did pack the food up & check to make sure the order is correct . . . hope this is a fair practice. I try to tip at least 20% for dining in . . . if a person has ever been in the service industry, no matter what their job, you realize what a tip means. I did not realize this until I myself had a job that depended on tipping. . . everyone should have to experience this & then everyone would understand!

Are you out of your mind! Have you nothing else to write about?
Go into a store and buy a suit give the salesperson money and then tip the tailor for the alterations. Oh, when you leave throw $2 on the ground for using a parking space in the mall.

Chris you are a moron and I will pray for you. It is true what they say we remember the ones that tip and the ones that dont.I work at a place where for 2.13 an hour you must greet the customer set up the silverware {that were responsible to keep clean}.Take your order, bring your drinks call your food out while we are answering the phone taking and preparing to go orders running the cash register , bring your food out collect your dirty dishes wash and put them away ourself and make sure if you want a refill or dessert be there for you . Also we have to fill up the condiments, wipe down all the tables sweep and mop make salads clean the restrooms keep the soups fresh and keep the place clean. Its not up to our boss how much we make its how it is in most states.So I suggest you and people like little miss pray you never have to be in our shoes. And for all of you out there that even bother to tip us at all trust me we REALLY REALLY thank you your few dollars can be the difference between us having a good day and a bad one GOD BLESS THE TIPPERS IN THE WORLD;}

When dining in, do you normally tip the cook and the person who answers the phone at the restaurant? If not, why would you leave "a couple bucks" when you get take out? The only effort put forth by the server or bartender (most takeout in my experience is picked up at the bar) is to physically had you a bag of food, and take your money. The order is taken by one person, cooked by another, and brought to the pick up area by a third. Thus far, none of the people involved are people you would ever consider tipping. But the bartender who hands you food and takes your money should be gifted gratuity? Does this seem absurd to anyone else?

If I'm picking up from a place I frequent, I'll leave a buck or two behind, depending on my level of friendliness with the bartender. If I get a glass of water or a drink while I wait for my to-go order, I'll tip the barkeep above and beyond the drink tip; but for the average carry out ticket, I usually don't tip, and I don't think many others do, either.

It seems that writers who pen this sort of thing secretly hope their claim that they tip for no good reason will make the rest of us feel guilty and we'll follow suit. That way they can claim to have forever changed the tipping landscape. Well, I'm not playing along. And before I'm judged as "a cheap bastard," or a Canadian, understand that I normally tip 15-20% of the pretax total for good service, and I make it a point to tip very little for crappy service. I have friends who tip 20% (post tax!) on poor service, which is a moronic policy that perpetuates rudeness and a lack of concern for the customer.

How about a sensible tipping article to inform servers and patrons alike that people should not be expected to tip on the state's mandated sales tax? It drives me crazy to watch people tip on the post tax total. I've even recently seen restaurants whose receipts have those oh-so-handy tip percentages pre-figured and printed at the bottom that have the gratuity figured on post tax amount!

The problem with saying a delivery person is paid to do their job and shouldn't get a tip is that the tips are an expected part of the pay system.
They get less than minimum wage, no money for gas or mileage, provide a vehicle and will be taxed on the tip that you don't provide whether or not you give one. Yes it does cost them money to be stiffed. If you don't want to provide a tip, then you should go get it yourself.

I usually tip 20% when I eat at the restaurant if the services is good. That tip goes to the server who then shares some of it with the busboys. Not the chefs. The Chefs are paid a salary, usually. I always tip the delivery guy when I get a pizza or sandwich delivered. But take out is the issue for me. Oh, I have tipped the waitress for take out from my local Italian place. That's because I know she makes the salad, and packs it. She hooks me up with the bread etc. So, she is providing a service. However, there are other places that I just pay the bill. At my favorite Chinese restuarant I don't tip for take out. The person takes my order, but doesn't cook the food or pack it. All they do is bring it from the kitchen to the register and take my money. I don't consider that to be service that warrants a tip. Same for the Middle Eastern place. The waitress takes the order, brings out the already packaged food and takes my money. Should that warrant a tip? I don't think so, unless the employee is actually in the kitchen involved packaging my food, I don't think a tip should be given when you buy take out in those situations.

15 - 20% for delivery? Are you kidding me? Why would you tip the same amount that you would tip a server (who is coming to your table, taking your order, bringing you drinks, bringing your food, refilling your drinks, asking you how your food is, taking dirty plates off your table, and sometimes bringing you dessert). Oh, by the way, the server is making something like $2.13/hr (at least that was how much I made as a server a while back). The delivery guy is bringing food to your door - that's it. And, he makes at least minimum wage, likely getting paid for mileage, and the restaurant is probably charging you a delivery fee (at least that was how it was when I was delivered pizza an even longer while back). Delivery people should get 5% - 10% max.

I think the tipping system is ridiculous, but I do tip waiters and delivery people when I order delivery (which is rare) because I know that they are not paid an appropriate salary. I do not, however, tip cashiers at coffee shops or the like, or for take-out because there is no service involved (and I know that cashiers are paid regular minimum wage because I was one for quite some time when I was in high school).

BTW, if you don't tip, the restaurant is required to make up the difference between "server minimum wage" and the actual minimum wage. This isn't really a reason not to tip, but it's something to remember...restaurants get out of paying their employees an appropriate salary because we continue to buy into the tipping thing. And percentages are going up, too. We've moved past 15% and are now expected 20%--one of these days it'll be considered tacky and cheap to tip only 30%. But people keep doing it, so people keep expecting it.

Anom
"To go/pick up/take out orders should be tipped just like regular wait staff. Don't you ever notice how well your take out order is packed? All those containers, napkins, utensils, little extras, depending upon the place sometimes it's like a "table to go." Customers often do not realize how much hustling it takes to put those to-go/take-out orders together. Tips are definately in order. Let's face it -- some people are just cheap. They can make all the excuses in the world for why they don't do it, but basically it comes down to being cheap, selfish and thoughless."

Unless the to-server or bartender is BRINGING me my food to my car, NO ONE is tipping deserved and only a dollar or 2 at the MOST.

Counter service is what you get when you go to Wendy's. In most Wendy's, no self-serve soft drink/tea machines, which means THE CASHIER fills your cup with ice and drink. At McDonald's, they have to go to each box to get one fork, one knife, another box for salt and another box for pepper, whereas, for instance, at Applebee's, ALL-IN-ONE (napkin, utensils, salt/pepper packets). The bartender/to-go server sticks it in the box, bags the food, which they took your order(whether over the phone or in person, which is the SAME THING as typical fast food places(McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, etc.) They ring you up and give you change/credit card receipt back with regular receipt.

If you can name ANYTHING that to-go servers do more for COUNTER SERVICE(picking up your food inside) for THAT CUSTOMER(meaning don't tell me about you answer the phone, because taking my order over the phone is EXACTLY LIKE BEING IN PERSON and if you mention having to answer the phone in general, that has ZERO to do with **MY** service), then I might change my mind. Don't tell me you have other customers, because that's common sense that I am not the only customer, but that has ZERO to do with the TYPE OF SERVICE you are providing me. I bet you can't come up with anything, can you?

If you are doing the same tasks for people we cannot legally tip, WHY should we tip you for doing the SAME OR LESS WORK? Don't tell me about wages from your employer, because that has ZERO to do with the AMOUNT OF WORK you are doing.

At McDonald's, the CASHIER has gotten me hotcakes and sausage with a syrup or 2, a couple of butters, and some jellies. She had to bag it, ring it up, give me change, get me a fork from one box, and a knife from another box. That was MORE WORK than let's say if I order a pasta dish from Applebee's. It's the TRUTH!! That Applebee's pasta dish is almost no work basically compared to the hotcakes and sausage at McDonald's. That is the GOD'S TRUTH!!

When I order burgers or chicken sandwiches at fast food restaurants, the CASHIERS at times have gotten a cup/container to put a lot of mayo/tartar sauce and a small amount of mustard(don't a lot) in a cup. So don't tell me about that either, because the fast food cashiers do that as well for NO TIP WHAT-SO-EVER!!

If you can name ANY TASKS they do that is MORE WORK than a fast food cashier does, then I would change my mind, but honestly, there is none. One person on a blog that was arguing with me COULDN'T come up with anything, because there ISN'T anything more they do for THAT particular customer.

ONLY if you deliver the food to my car would I tip and the food has to be right as far as obvious things go for me to tip for that. I have never gotten car-side-to-go, but I have tipped at Sonic a bunch of times. Those people are DELIVERING the food to you, so when they have to do that, especially, when it's hot, cold, rainy, etc., they deserve a tip, IF the food is right that is.

This has NOTHING to do with being "CHEAP" as you say, it has to do with being ********FAIR********* to people that DO THE SAME OR LESS WORK that the ***CUSTOMER*** PAYS FAIRLY!! Your employer not paying you enough is YOUR PROBLEM!! Go find another job if you aren't satisified with the pay!! The customer is NOT RESPONSIBLE for paying you anything for almost NO WORK!! I worked in a donut shop years ago, which we sold regular food items as well. Some people would order to-go orders at times over the phone. They'd come to pick up their burgers, fries, and drinks, IN DRIVE THRU usually for NO TIP even. While it was WORK, I still did FAST FOOD WORK that I shouldn't get a tip for that. Do you understand that people aren't being "CHEAP", just being "FAIR" to EVERYONE that does that type of work or even LESS WORK than the to-go servers/bartenders that serve you take out?

Sorry I meant kayntydaddy not Darin in my post.

You people must be delusional. A tip IS a gratuity{meaning a gift}. If waiter ,waitress, bartender, etc. do not make minimum wage ,then they should take that up with their boss, NOT the customer. If you don't like the line of work you're in find a minimum wage job. You have no right thinking the public owes you for doing a job you signed on to do. & that job as any other should be done right & courteous. I build houses. I don,t get tips for doing my job right . I do it because it is my job.I signed on for it & I take pride in my work ,which has no bonuses, monetary or otherwise.I knew that when I signed on & all of you knew people don't like paying extra for anything. So, if you don,t make minimum wage STOP whining & take it up with your boss!

Stephanie L.....

I do not work in this field, so I am not partial at all. But, really. You're post is probably one of the most ignorant I've ever read, & I've read many. There are thousands of folks out there who do not "choose" to be delivery persons or waitstaff. More often than not, it is the job that they were able to land so that they can pay their rent, car payment, food bill, electric, etc. You clearly are not aware of what is now, and has been for some time, going on in the world in relation to our economy. Therefore, I can only assume that you are about 12 years old.