A question about tipping

[carolinakid]

I am curious about what you guys think about this. When you are picking up take out food, say from a pizzeria or sandwich shop or Chinese take out, etc., do you put money in the usual tip jar on the counter or add a tip to your credit card slip if you pay by card? I am a very generous tipper when it comes to a sit down meal where I've been given service or to a delivery person if I'm at home. But I don't really feel the need to tip someone when I'm the one who's doing the picking up without any kind of table service. I feel the total of the bill itself covers the person who prepared it and put it in a bag. I mean I don't tip at fast food places like Wendy's or Taco Bell, etc.

So do you tip when you pick up yourself a take out order? I am anxious to hear any thoughts. And if you guys think I'm wrong, I'll certainly start adding a 20% gratuity to my credit card slip. Thanks!

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I don't ever tip when I pick up food from a restaurant. While I appreciate that the establishment actually made the food, I was the one who drove there to pick it up. I mean, the money I used to get there (the cost of gas), makes up for the fact that I'm not giving the establishment any extra money (otherwise I would be paying twice: once for gas and then another for a tip). Maybe I'm stingy for that, but I feel like I don't have to tip them if I'm already using that tipping money on getting there.

[Disney Duster]

I put money in the little tip jar because I figure they have a reason for it, I figure my money is helping the employees a little more.

[carolinakid]

I don't ever tip when I pick up food from a restaurant. While I appreciate that the establishment actually made the food, I was the one who drove there to pick it up. I mean, the money I used to get there (the cost of gas), makes up for the fact that I'm not giving the establishment any extra money (otherwise I would be paying twice: once for gas and then another for a tip). Maybe I'm stingy for that, but I feel like I don't have to tip them if I'm already using that tipping money on getting there.

Thanks, those are my feelings exactly! No one else here orders take out?????

[MeerkatKombat]

I never tip for takeout so you aren't alone there!

[carolinakid]

I do confess to feeling a little bit uncomfortable when the cashier is watching me put an X on the tip line on the credit card slip! But that feeling goes away fast!

[Semaj]

Unless it's a cafe or deli that I really enjoy, I'm more obligated to tip (15% - 20%) when I'm at a sit-in restaurant. Somewhere where more effort is placed into sometimes planning a reservation, but also getting someone a seat, and preparing the meals.

[Walter]

It's not just you! I also don't tip when it's carryout. After all, I am the one who is getting the food, and using some gas to get it.

I always choose carryout over delivery.

[DancingCrab]

Anytime I have to use a credit card, I always add a little tip to help cover the cost that the establishment has to deal with in using a credit card machine. It's astronomical what small businesses have to pay the banks to offer this convenience for customers. If I'm paying cash and the change is less than a few dollars I will throw it in the tip jar. I always try to get on the better side of people who make my food, especially if I plan on frequenting the establishment.

[Disney Guru]

I don't tip when doing carryout, but for delivery or going out to eat I'll tip. 20-25% depending on the total beforehand.

[Scarred4life]

As a waitress, I wouldn't judge someone who didn't tip when getting carryout (as all the points made above are very valid), but it is really appreciated if you do, as by carrying the food out you are taking away an opportunity for you to come in and eat a meal. So if a normally dine-in restaurant decides to offer take out services, anyone who chooses to carryout instead of eat in robs the servers/cooks the chance at a tip. If everyone did carryout instead of eat in, servers would only make (in the US) around $3 per hour.

A general rule that I use is if the establishment offers dine in service (that you would normally tip for) as well as carryout service, I will tip for carryout as well. However, if it's just a fast-food/deli type of situation, I will not tip.

[Mayhem]

As a waitress, I wouldn't judge someone who didn't tip when getting carryout (as all the points made above are very valid), but it is really appreciated if you do, as by carrying the food out you are taking away an opportunity for you to come in and eat a meal. So if a normally dine-in restaurant decides to offer take out services, anyone who chooses to carryout instead of eat in robs the servers/cooks the chance at a tip. If everyone did carryout instead of eat in, servers would only make (in the US) around $3 per hour.

See though, this is one why I go for takeout instead of eating in, because of the obligatory service charge. I really wish places would pay their staff a proper fricking wage, and not expect the customer to also contribute to the shortfall