No need to tip for take out orders at the restaurant?

[YS2003]

Is a customer expected to pay a tip when he/she picks up a take-out order at the restaurant? There are many restaurants which do the take-out order (customers call/stop by to place an order, and come back to pick up the take out order).

I think there should not be a tip because there is nothing to "tip" about (instead, the customer should get the discount because he/she is not occupying the table at the restaurant, not taking waitress's time, is not using their eating utensils, etc). But, when I pay with a credit card, there is the tip line on the receipt I need to sign (so, I am thinking the restaurant wants to get tips).

I only give tips when the receipeints deserve or erarn my tips.

Or, am I supposed to tip for a take out order?

[eva01]

I tip at my local sushi place for takeout, because i love them.

Other places, no.

[jsw]

I never tip for take-out.

[WildCowboy]

It depends on the place...I don't usually tip for take out, but I will if it's a place I really like or they're particular nice/do something special for me. And even then, it's usually 5%, maybe 10% at the most.

It's certainly shouldn't be expected...the "tip" line on the credit card receipt is often there because they do have eat in customers who will be leaving tips...they don't customize their credit card receipts for take-out customers. :D (That and the fact that they wouldn't turn down a tip from you...they might as well have the line there in hopes that you'll feel obliged to put something there.)

[iGary]

Absolutely NOT.

This habit of establishments putting tip jars out for the most mundane service is getting a bit much.

No way.

Only if they bring me something, either via delivery or wait staff.

[mactastic]

They don't have seperate receipt forms for tip/non tip. It's just a format thing.

Honestly it depends where I am. I always tip a couple bucks to my local hamburger joint when I get take out there (usually Friday nights after work when I don't feel like cooking), but that's because I'm in there often enough that I get recognized and get faster service because the kid at the counter knows I'm gonna put a couple bucks in the tip jar.

Otherwise, my general rule-of-thumb with take-out places is I'll leave the change but keep the bills.

[aquajet]

But, when I pay with a credit card, there is the tip line on the receipt I need to sign (so, I am thinking the restaurant wants to get tips).

As far as I know, credit card machines are set up in a manner that results in a tip option on every transaction. There's no distiction made between carry-out or delivery orders.

I used to work at a Chinese restaurant, and none of us ever expected a tip for carry-out orders. The point of tipping is to show your appreciation for people who serve you while you sit on your arse. ;)

[iHotu]

No, not unless special service was given, like if they brought it out to your car.

[jsw]

Otherwise, my general rule-of-thumb with take-out places is I'll leave the change but keep the bills.
Well, that reminded me that I do tip at places like Dairy Queen, SBucks, etc., where I leave the change (and maybe a bit more at times), but I didn't think those places were being considered.

[eva01]

Absolutely NOT.

Not even sushi, Gary?

[YS2003]

Absolutely NOT.

This habit of establishments putting tip jars out for the most mundane service is getting a bit much.
No way.
Only if they bring me something, either via delivery or wait staff.

Your comment is exactly the same as my feeling/opinion on this. Even at Dunkin Donuts' cash register counter, they put that plastic jar for tipping. I never even put my penny in there. This whole siutation (ie. asking for tips for no particular reason whatsoever) cheapens the "tip culture" as a whole.

Speaking about that tip jar at the stores which should not be asking for tips to being with, I hope some customers start misunderstanding that tip jar and use it as the tip for himself (or use it toward their purchase). Then, I think it will stay way from the counter.

[twoodcc]

I never tip for take-out.

me either

[thedude110]

Honestly it depends where I am.

Agreed. We've gotten to know a few of the employees at a couple of places where we're quasi-regulars, and I don't mind tossing a dollar in the jar.

Even if the employee doesn't see the money and it goes to help keep the restaurant in buisness, I guess I don't mind.

I'm not a good enough consumer to save money, anyway.

[YS2003]

As far as I know, credit card machines are set up in a manner that results in a tip option on every transaction. There's no distiction made between carry-out or delivery orders.

Some of those restaurants have the special counter for take out orders (separate from dine in customers). I know POS (point of sales) machine can be easily adjusted to take out that tip line from the receipt.

I used to work at a Chinese restaurant, and none of us ever expected a tip for carry-out orders. The point of tipping is to show your appreciation for people who serve you while you sit on your arse. ;)
I agree with your take on this. Tip = Appreciation of service rendered to the customer by the service provider (which is to say the service provider earns/deserves the tips from the customer because of the good service).

But for take out orders, I just do not see any "service" other than the restaurant establishment makes the food for the customer (which is what the restaurant does as the basic minimum service), whcih calls for tipping.

[iGary]

Not even sushi, Gary?

No, not at our place. By the time we're done, our take out bill is at least $100.00. And Joseph, the sushi chef and owner drives a 911. I don't think he's hurting.

Now if I drink a sake while waiting, I will tip.

And obviously if we sit down and get waited on, we tip.

[savar]

I only give tips when the receipeints deserve or erarn my tips.

Or, am I supposed to tip for a take out order?

You're supposed to tip at restaurants that aren't really "take out" restaurants. Generally a hostess or cashier has to assemble your order and put it into disposable containers and bag it up -- that's what you're paying for.

[eva01]

No, not at our place. By the time we're done, our take out bill is at least $100.00. And Joseph, the sushi chef and owner drives a 911. I don't think he's hurting.

Now if I drink a sake while waiting, I will tip.

And obviously if we sit down and get waited on, we tip.

Ah i see, I tip for the waitresses, they almost always give me a discount because I eat there once a week and they seem to love me because my bill is typically 50-150 dollars

[jsw]

You're supposed to tip at restaurants that aren't really "take out" restaurants. Generally a hostess or cashier has to assemble your order and put it into disposable containers and bag it up -- that's what you're paying for.
The places I frequent serve it directly into take-out containers, meaning all the hostess does is put it in a bag... not worthy of a tip, IMHO.

[YS2003]

You're supposed to tip at restaurants that aren't really "take out" restaurants. Generally a hostess or cashier has to assemble your order and put it into disposable containers and bag it up -- that's what you're paying for.
I don't feel the same way as you do on this. I just cannot consisder "assemblying orders and putting them in the take out container" as additional service, which make me want to give tips. I just feel that is what the restaurant is supposed to do as the basic service.

Many established chain restaurant s(Fridays, Applebees, Rubies Tuesday, and etc) markets "take out" as their normal service. In my opinion, I don't want to pay tips for take out service for any restaurant which advertises "take out" service.

[Peterkro]

I thought this is supposed to be the new free market world.How come a company has to rely on the generosity of it's punters to survive.It's not paying the staff enough or it is and wants more.Let them die if they're not economic others will replace them.Not that I believe in the "free market" but tipping is a idea I've never understood,essentially a subtle protection racket.

[eva01]

I thought this is supposed to be the new free market world.How come a company has to rely on the generosity of it's punters to survive.It's not paying the staff enough or it is and wants more.Let them die if they're not economic others will replace them.Not that I believe in the "free market" but tipping is a idea I've never understood,essentially a subtle protection racket.

ah so those waitresses or waiters that make only 2.15 an hour they should just die if they can't make enough money and no one tips them, right?

[mkrishnan]

I'm also mostly in the only under special circumstances. I tip at my favorite coffee shop sometimes, but they recognize me and remember my order, so they deserve it. :) Otherwise I generally don't tip for food unless there is table service.

[Peterkro]

No they should be paid a decent wage and if the present companies go bust those that replace them will compete for Labour hence driving up wages.

Are there no minimum wage laws in the US?

[clayj]

No they should be paid a decent wage and if the present companies go bust those that replace them will compete for Labour hence driving up wages.

Are there no minimum wage laws in the US?There are, but there is usually an exemption for waitstaff (including bartenders) who earn tip income. Many, many restaurants could not survive if they had to pay their waitstaff minimum wage (currently $5.15/hr, unless local jurisdictions have raised it higher) versus the commonly-accepted waitstaff minimum wage of $2.13/hr. The deal, however, is that if tip income does not get them up to an average of $5.15/hr, the restaurant must pay them more to get them up to minimum wage.

[aquajet]

I thought this is supposed to be the new free market world.How come a company has to rely on the generosity of it's punters to survive.It's not paying the staff enough or it is and wants more.Let them die if they're not economic others will replace them.Not that I believe in the "free market" but tipping is a idea I've never understood,essentially a subtle protection racket.

I'm not certain about high-end restaurants, but most pay their servers less than minimum wage, usually around $2/hour. That's just the reality. If these restaurants paid their servers a decent wage, prices for food would increase. The difference is, in most cases, you have the option to pay less than the value of the goods and services you're purchasing.

[adk]

If I were to put a tip on the line when I get my carry out food, exactly who would I be tipping?

[aquajet]

If I were to put a tip on the line when I get my carry out food, exactly who would I be tipping?

At my restaurant, it would be divided between the servers on duty.

[Peterkro]

I'm not certain about high-end restaurants, but most pay their servers less than minimum wage, usually around $2/hour. That's just the reality. If these restaurants paid their servers a decent wage, prices for food would increase. The difference is, in most cases, you have the option to pay less than the value of the goods and services you're purchasing.

Well either prices would have to go up or profits would have to go down.I wonder which?

[YS2003]

ah so those waitresses or waiters that make only 2.15 an hour they should just die if they can't make enough money and no one tips them, right?
The so-called low wage for waiters/waitress would be beyond the scope of this thread (a short comment: the business should pay the wages at the market rate/skill level. Mabye the restaurant business considers "tip" as the performance incentive because good tip earners are the ones who are doing great job/service) Of course, if people working as waiter/waitress can move on the different jobs if they don't like their pay/conspensation packages.

Now, back on the thread.

[aquajet]

Well either prices would have to go up or profits would have to go down.I wonder which?

Or the restaurant would have to close. My restaurant simply would not have been able to pay the wait staff minimum wage without increasing prices.

[fuzzwud]

I still don't think one should tip for take out. I was in an awkward moment where the lady didn't give me change back for my order, and a pause ... I was thinking, "where's my change" ... and she was thinking, "that's all your tipping me?" blink blink ... haha ...

[quigleybc]

Or, am I supposed to tip for a take out order?




In short


HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL no

[YS2003]

If I were to put a tip on the line when I get my carry out food, exactly who would I be tipping?
That's a good question. That is part of the reason I don't want to tip for take outs. If you tip, you are tipping for nothing in my opinion. Someone in this thread said you would be tipping for taking your orders, asseblying your orders, and putting them in the take out containers, which I don't agree. If you are tipping for taking orders and assemblying orders, you would be tipping at MacDonalds, Wendy's, Berger Kings, and etc.

[mariahlullaby]

I work the To Go counter at a local pizza restaurant, and we have the custom of having a tip jar in front of the register. While the servers make a server pay ($2.15/hr) and work mainly off tips, the To Go workers get regular pay and the tips are just a "bonus." I'll be honest with you -- I really don't expect people to tip. There's really no need; we honestly aren't doing anything to merit tips. I mean I love it when people tip and won't argue if you do try and tip, but I don't feel stiffed if I'm not tipped.

I will say, there are a few times I think the customer maybe should tip. Some orders are huge and complicated and I spend a good 10 minutes or so on the phone with them, then go and explain their specific order to the person making their pizzas. Then when those customers come in, they'll have us running around getting all kinds of stuff, and then usually I bring their food to the car for them. I'm not saying they SHOULD tip, but a couple bucks in the tip jar for an order for pizza over $100 would be nice.

Some people give really good tips, which I'm always surprised (as in a $5 tip on a $25 order is AMAZING). By the end of the night, I tend to go home with about $15 in tips (and I have to split the tips with my "helper"; on days I don't have a helper, I make about $25).

I've noticed I always tip to go people (at Starbucks, etc) because I know I appreciate the tips. But they're not necessary.

[thedude110]

If I were to put a tip on the line when I get my carry out food, exactly who would I be tipping?

Someone who might need the $1.50 more than you do.

[aquajet]

For anybody who questions the relevancy of tipping (not that many people here seem to do): many in the profession resent not getting paid by those they serve. If you choose to make a habit of not tipping, your servers pay attention to these things and your level of service may be affected in the future. Some might disagree or feel irritated by this, but it's reality.

[xsedrinam]

An Ethic of Tipping (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/t/tips_and_tipping/index.html?query=ETHICS&field=des&match=exact) has, of course, regional bias and import. If the term "gratuity" (deriving from some form of "gratis" = "free"), applies to those who practice it, they should have freedom to respond with monetary expression above and beyond the tab proportionately to the quality of service rendered. Poor service = poor tip. A "Required" 15% is therefore no longer a gratuity. Most restaurants require and even figure in 15% as "gratuity".

When I receive excellent service from an intelligent person who is smart enough to know how this goes, I will often tip as much as 25%. We always leave an envelope after a week's stay at a hotel where the maid care has been exceptional. But I resent "owing" 15% over the price of a meal to be payed to an inattentive, preoccupied and "'tis a far better place I be" type who pretends to "serve" a table. Carry out? Same scenario where there's attentive service. Smart waiters and waitresses make good money, 'cause they're not too cool to be smart.

[Peterkro]

For anybody who questions the relevancy of tipping (not that many people here seem to do): many in the profession resent not getting paid by those they serve. If you choose to make a habit of not tipping, your servers pay attention to these things and your level of service may be affected in the future. Some might disagree or feel irritated by this, but it's reality.

Which is what I posted up there ^^^ " a protection racket"

[Mr. Anderson]

If I go and get my take out, sit down and wait for it to be served and they offer me a glass of water, I might leave $1 or so. But other than that, no tip.

The one place this would happen often was Nam Viet in Clarendon (Great Vietnamese Food) and excellent service. I'd drive 20 minutes just to get takeout and they'd always sit you down at a table and offer you something. It was quite nice.

D

[njmac]

Also, if you get you get your hair cut by the owner of the barbershop/salon there is NO need to tip them.

If the waitress at a restaurant is the owner, however, you should tip because the tip get split between the waiter, the water/bus kids, the maitre'd(if there is one), and the back waiter (who you never see, but who's job is as important as the table waiter. without him/her your orders would come out slower or to the wrong table or cold.) Often, if the waitress is an owner, he/she will not take the portion of tips that would normally go to the waiter and makes the tip pool that much larger.

[Chundles]

We don't tip (well, not a percentage anyway, more often just a "round up to the nearest $5 or $10) here in Australia and the waiter get paid a hell of a lot more (A$20+ an hour). Mind you, we don't have bus boys or drinks waiters or back waiters or any of that bollocks - we do the lot. Sometimes there will be a bartender to pour drinks but they won't take them to the table.

If I do my job I don't expect a tip, if I work my arse off to make an evening really special than yeah - most people tip me but not a set percentage.