Take out question

[dakcp2001]

When you go in to pick up your food, do you tip? I notice that there is a tip line on the receipt, but I think that is just for dine in. They have that AND a tip jar. If they deliver I tip well but when I pick up, doesnt that mean I dont have to tip? On the other hand, I do tip at the coffee place. Just curious.

 

[JoiseyMom]

If I am picking up the take out, then no, I do not tip.

 

[Squirlz]

I do. It's a rare thing for me to do pick up, I've only done it at places I frequent as a sit down customer. I figure they prepared and served the food to me. Why stiff them because it's in a styrofoam container and not on a plate?

 

[ols386]

If it's at Applebee's, where they bring the take-out order out to my car, then I tip. If I call ahead, and then go pick it up myself (inside the place), then I don't tip. If it's delivery service, I tip.

 

[jaminmd]

When you go in to pick up your food, do you tip? I notice that there is a tip line on the receipt, but I think that is just for dine in. They have that AND a tip jar. If they deliver I tip well but when I pick up, doesnt that mean I dont have to tip? On the other hand, I do tip at the coffee place. Just curious.

I'm so glad you asked this because DH & I were just discussing this. We never have when we pick up pizza or Chinese but when we go to places like Dave's or Red, Hot & Blue, it appears that is expected. I don't know. DH says no way but now I feel kinda funny about it. I don't want to stiff anyone but who'll get the tip?

Any waiters/waitresses out there that can answer this one?

 

[MushyMushy]

I never tip for takeout.

 

[denisem]

I tend to take out at places I frequent often for lunch, etc. Since they greet/remember/recognize me, I tip as I would for sit-down restaurant. Tends to pay off at our local Moe's and family owned Greek restaurant.

For a once-in-a-great-while Starbucks...I'll throw in extra change, but not go overboard.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't tip anywhere I don't sit down and be served or for delivery to my door. Do you tip when you go thru the McD's drive thru window?

I hate the tip jars at the coffee places that is the last place I would ever tip.

Expecting a tip has gone way overboard.

 

[tvguy]

I did the one time I ordered takeout from Outback Steakhouse. Guy made 2 trips out in the rain, first to find out which order we were, and second to deliver and take the money.

Pizza/sandwich shop/fast food, no.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't tip anywhere I don't sit down and be served or for delivery to my door. Do you tip when you go thru the McD's drive thru window?

I hate the tip jars at the coffee places that is the last place I would ever tip.

Expecting a tip has gone way overboard.

That's pretty much how I feel.. The only exception would be is if maybe I was picking up an entire Thanksgiving dinner - all cooked and ready to serve..

I think it's ridiculous to have a tip jar where you're getting nothing more than a cup of coffee - or coffee and a donut.. That is way over the top in my book..

 

[Agri]

I only tip if I am waiting for awhile for the food and the server is nice to me and offers me a drink, etc. Take out is a relatively new thing for restaurants and I doubt they can print out a receipt without the tip line.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If I call in an order and than go pick it up, yes I leave a tip, usually 10% or so.

 

[gate_pourri]

I almost always tip on takeout (not fast food). I do takeout a lot from regular restaurants (without a huge take out business) and always tip between 10-15%. Chili's, etc. I always leave a couple of bucks. Same for Pizza or Chinese. I don't know if it is just that I feel like they are more likely to take better care of my food if they know I tip or something else, but I cannot imagine not leaving something.

 

[Becc1]

I worked in restaurants for years but we never had a "take out" person just the bartenders would do it so I turned to my DH for an answer to this question. He is a General Manager at a well known restaurant and they have people who just work the take out counter, he said they make either minimum wage or a little above and that people generally should tip between 5% and 7%. The take out people are getting all of the food together, making sure all condiments are in the bag, utensils, napkins, drinks, etc... Basically they do alot of what the servers do, plus if the restaurant has curbside take out then the person has to bring the food to your car and back and forth to take payment. Having been a server for far too long I tend to overtip, even the take out people but I think 5%-7% is fair.

 

[Heidict]

Nope, I don't tip when I pick up something. For delivery I would.

I also generally don't leave money in a tip jar. Seems like the places that have them are places where all the person does is ring up a an order and give you change. Why do I need to tip them for that? Aren't they already being paid for that?

 

[Hannathy]

I worked in restaurants for years but we never had a "take out" person just the bartenders would do it so I turned to my DH for an answer to this question. He is a General Manager at a well known restaurant and they have people who just work the take out counter, he said they make either minimum wage or a little above and that people generally should tip between 5% and 7%. The take out people are getting all of the food together, making sure all condiments are in the bag, utensils, napkins, drinks, etc... Basically they do alot of what the servers do, plus if the restaurant has curbside take out then the person has to bring the food to your car and back and forth to take payment. Having been a server for far too long I tend to overtip, even the take out people but I think 5%-7% is fair.

So how is that any different than the people at McD's in the take out window? they do the same thing for the same pay? Why do they deserve it if the McD's people don't.

 

[penn19]

My ds does some of the cashiering at a restaurant. He LOVES getting tips! It pays for his meals sometimes. But truthfully, I would never have thought of tipping for picking up take out. But now I know that even a buck is a big deal to a teenage boy!

 

[Becc1]

So how is that any different than the people at McD's in the take out window? they do the same thing for the same pay? Why do they deserve it if the McD's people don't.

I don't believe I said that you shouldn't tip a McDonalds employee, if you want to go for it! My Dh's restaurant is a full service restaurant so that's why I feel I should tip, and when we get takeout from other full service restaurants I tip. Whether you tip or not is your prerogative.

 

[Planogirl]

I always throw in some change or even a buck at the Starbucks I go to. They always give me samples and they are so friendly and chatty. I love the great service I get there and I can miss a little change.

However, I don't think it's required any time you pick up something to go.

 

[paintnolish]

I work at a nicer Italian restaurant and people do generally tip for take-out. They don't tip 20%, but they do throw in a few bucks. Heck- I happened to sell a giftcard the other day ($100) and was tipped $10.
I throw change in at coffee shops and sometimes a bill if I've asked for something special/different.