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Tipping?

post #1 of 24
1/26/07 at 9:26pm
Thread Starter 
Do you leave a tip when you pick-up something at a carry out restaurant? I often visit California Pizza Kitchen, Dominos Pizza, Dairy Queen, etc and I always pay with a credit card; however, they always leave a space under the "total amount due" for a TIP.

What is the proper etiquette on tiping when you pick up a carry out order? It's not the same as dining in...or is it?

Plus how much do you tip the pizza delivery boy? LOL

~Gregerz
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post #2 of 24
1/26/07 at 10:05pm
I don't think one needs to tip at a carry-out place. I don't normally give tips for a cook or a cashier when they do their jobs. I do tend to tip the egg-woman at Waffle House separately, but that's because she's so damn entertaining.

I tip the Pizza Delivery man 20% or so. They don't get reimbursed for gas or mileage and usually use their own cars. Pizza Hut down the street from me pays them $5.50/hr.
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post #3 of 24
1/26/07 at 10:33pm
Thread Starter 
Good point, but Dominos Pizza charges a $2.00 delivery fee on top of the original order amount. Do you still tip the driver if the pizza place already added on a delivery surcharge?
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post #4 of 24
1/26/07 at 10:34pm
I tip 10% for carry out or buffet, and 20% for dine-in (assuming anything remotely resembling decent service)... I just figure it into the cost of going out... Wait staff works hard for a living. I've waited tables before and stiffers suck... (insert Resevoir Dogs reference here - especially that deadbeat cheapskate Mr. Pink)...

The pizza guy usually gets a few bucks, always cash (Godfather's charges a separate delivery charge to your bill)...

Putting zero tip on the credit card receipt, and tipping in cash, is usually appreciated (unreportable income), but I think they still get dinged for 15% of the bill whether you tip or not...

If I may make a musical reference, the song, "Waitress" by Live (of "Lightning Crashes" and "Selling the Drama" fame) sums it up for me... Can't we all spare some change?

Lyrics below:

"Come on baby leave some change behind
she was a bitch but good enough
to leave some change, everybody's good
enough for some change...

we all get the flu, we all get aids
we've got to stick together
after all, everybody's good enough
for some change, some fucking change!!! "

P
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post #5 of 24
1/26/07 at 10:51pm
Thread Starter 
Similar establishments (like Panera Bread) make it a business practice not to include that "TIP" line on the receipt. So the tipping etiquette is not clear IMO. Even when I dined-in at Panera Bread, they had a sign that said "please no tipping." I shouldn't feel bad for not tipping when I place a carry out order? I don't tip the guyat McDonalds at the drive-thru. LOL
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post #6 of 24
1/26/07 at 11:09pm
I remember when I lived in Vegas, I took my GF (present DW) to see the Rockettes at the Flamingo. It was the very last hotel to allow "tokes" (tips) to obtain a better seat. I palmed him $25 and we got the best seats in the house. I overheard the woman behind me talking about wrapping a $5 around a bundle of ones to tip for a seat. The Maitre de's were not stupid, and could spot a scammer from a mile away.... Needless to say, DW and I got excellent seats, while $5 wrapper lady got shit... That is as it should be... If you can't afford to tip, stay home...

P
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post #7 of 24
1/26/07 at 11:39pm
I tipped the pizza delivery guy 20% tonight. It was $2. If I can afford to buy pizza, I can afford to tip the deliverer of my magnificent meal. Carry out, I usually don't tip, unless it's not a pizza place/ Applebee's, Chili's, TGIFridays, the likes. I used to work at Applebee's, and the carside girl actually put work into orders, and she got decent wages at a 10% tipping average. She mostly got $1 tips, but there was an occasional person that felt 15%-20% was neccessary... It always evens out to a decent average, so I was never pissed at the guys who stiffed me, and neither was she.
- Rich
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post #8 of 24
1/27/07 at 6:54am
Whenever I order pizza, I usually feel kind of sad for the delivery boy having to go all the way through town in bad weather or whatever, so I just let him keep the change, usually like $2-3. It depends on the way they act though, but most of them are pretty friendly and outgoing.
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post #9 of 24
1/27/07 at 7:12am
I don't really do carryout, if put in that position, I would just round up to the next dollar.

Delivery guy gets $3 or $4 depending on speed (assuming single order). If it's a big party and a large order, probably more.

At restaurants and bars, 15% is where it starts. I'm usually in the 20-30% range. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out.

And just because it's an open bar doesn't mean you shouldn't still tip!

(I'm not in the restaurant/bar business, but I have plenty of friends who are and who have been.)
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post #10 of 24
1/27/07 at 10:42am
Thread Starter 
I agree on giving a 15-20% tip when you dine-in, but only if the service is good. People who "over-tip" are often very insecure. Ask any psychologist.

I was focusing on whether or not people leave a tip when they pick-up a carry-out order, or when the pizza place ALREADY charges a delivery FEE. Isn't that double dipping?


"If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out" really only applies to "dine-in" at a mid-to-upscale restaurant (not at California Pizza Kitchen).


Again, no one tips the guy at the Mcdonalds drive-thru or at Panera bread (which is the same level as California Pizza Kitchen). And most everyone I know "works hard for the money" in their respective job or WORKED very hard to GET there.

~Greg
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post #11 of 24
1/27/07 at 5:13pm
I tip 20% minimum, and up to 30% if the service was fantastic. The only places I buy food are places where tipping is expected. This goes for delivery as well.

I don't know what I'm compensating for; I guess I just feel bad for service workers in Duluth's crappy economy. That and the whole karma thing.


-ben
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post #12 of 24
1/27/07 at 5:22pm
  • kbe
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I tip my local daily lunch spots waitpersons at least $3 even though most bills are below $10. I get great service and smiles.

However, bad or indifferent service at other locations get 10%. I go up to 20 % only when service is at least adequate.
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post #13 of 24
1/27/07 at 5:29pm
I worked in the service industry for about 10 yrs, off and on. I worked at high end restaurants, swanky bars, scuzzy bars and doughnut shops. The doughnut shop was the hardest. And there I got the lowest tips. So I usually tip everybody. That said, I absolutely disagree that if you can't afford to tip then you can't afford to go out. Why should people who don't make or have much money be punished and told to stay home? It bugged me when someone who cleary could afford it stiffed me, but if it was some young couple (for example) that obviously hadn't been out in awhile and didn't have a lot of extra cash that didn't tip I just let it pass. Most people tip. It all evens out.
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post #14 of 24
1/27/07 at 6:11pm
I overtip when, in reality, it's not an overtip but compensation for my boys. If they knock over a coke or, as very recently happened, two cokes, I up the ante. I am insecure! I'm afraid the wait staff will see us coming and draw straws--loser waits on us.

I would still round out a 2.00 surcharge up to a decent tip.
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post #15 of 24
1/27/07 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregmech26

I agree on giving a 15-20% tip when you dine-in, but only if the service is good. People who "over-tip" are often very insecure. Ask any psychologist.

I was focusing on whether or not people leave a tip when they pick-up a carry-out order, or when the pizza place ALREADY charges a delivery FEE. Isn't that double dipping?

Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.

Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage.

If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. I have only received poor service a handful of times in my entire life -- most of the time, the wait staff treat me very well. The exception is restaurants that have a fixed service fee, usually 18%. In those cases, since the meal and wine is so expensive, I usually just stick with the service fee that they have added to the bill. If service was exemplary then I'll add more for the waitperson.

Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity?

I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better.
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post #16 of 24
1/27/07 at 7:58pm
I agree with linnea. I over-tip frequently, but it's not insecurity. It's knowing exactly how hard those people are really working and the crap they have to put up with.
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post #17 of 24
1/27/07 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
"Few customs offer as much insight into someone's personality than the age-old practice of tipping. Those who make it a practice to leave extra large tips to a restaurant server may be naturally generous, or perhaps just thought the service was excellent. But, psychologists say, grossly overtipping can also be a sign of a large ego ("look at this money I'm throwing around") or a thinly veiled attempt by an insecure person to buy approval. "

http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/08/tip...08tipping.html



check mate
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post #18 of 24
1/27/07 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greyhueofdoubt

I tip 20% minimum, and up to 30% if the service was fantastic. The only places I buy food are places where tipping is expected. This goes for delivery as well.


I don't know what I'm compensating for; I guess I just feel bad for service workers in Duluth's crappy economy. That and the whole karma thing.


-ben


You tip 30% on delivery?
I doubt anyone would have "bad karma" for not tipping the California Pizza Kitchen teenager who put pasta in a bag for a customer to pick up. Just like I dont feel bad for driving through the Micky Dees drive-thru and not leaving a tip.

Too each his own I suppose...
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post #19 of 24
1/27/07 at 8:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.

Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage.

If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. I have only received poor service a handful of times in my entire life -- most of the time, the wait staff treat me very well. The exception is restaurants that have a fixed service fee, usually 18%. In those cases, since the meal and wine is so expensive, I usually just stick with the service fee that they have added to the bill. If service was exemplary then I'll add more for the waitperson.

Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity?

I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you have said. Very, very well put.
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post #20 of 24
1/27/07 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? [/B]


How about Forbes!



Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. [/B]


That's as absurd as saying a doctor needs to have cancer in order to know how to treat cancer. Are you saying that the rich should pay higher tips. Redistribition of wealth?




Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. [/B]


Neither do I; however, when it comes to delivery or carry out then the ball game is different.



Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.

Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage. [/B]



So why dont you tip your local MICKY DEES DRIVE-THRU PERSON?





Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. [/B]


Huh! A courtesy for what? Doing their job?




Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. [/B]


Same here if it's a mid-to-upscale place




Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity? [/B]




I don't tip my doctor, my cashier, my intern..... they all provide great service....including the micky dees drive-thru kid!




Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity [/B]



Ahhhh I see how it is. So money = kindness? I'm not a kind person for not tipping the micky dees person?



Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). [/B]

LOL ..so it boils down t oa pissing contest of whomever voulenters the most? Whomever gives the most of their time and chairty is the better person?




Quote:
Originally Posted by linnea

Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better. [/B]


I hardly consider not tipping the CPK or mcD's boi as being selfish.
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post #21 of 24
1/27/07 at 9:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregmech26

"Few customs offer as much insight into someone's personality than the age-old practice of tipping. Those who make it a practice to leave extra large tips to a restaurant server may be naturally generous, or perhaps just thought the service was excellent. But, psychologists say, grossly overtipping can also be a sign of a large ego ("look at this money I'm throwing around") or a thinly veiled attempt by an insecure person to buy approval. "

http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/08/tip...08tipping.html



check mate

Please reread your own quote and pay attention to the fact that it does not categorically state that leaving a large tip means that you have low self esteem. Rather, it says that it can indicate that. It also gives a few other examples of what it could mean.
If someone doesn't want to leave a tip there can also be many reasons for it. Perhaps they are broke, maybe they don't feel the service (or lack thereof) warranted a tip. Maybe they are simply against the practice of tipping. They could be cheap. Who knows?
I don't tip the numerous professionals that you have mentioned, either. They make considerably more than minimum wage and have already been well compensated for their hard work.
And I have, if fact, tipped the counter person at McDonalds. They work hard. They are paid little. If I am feeling flush, I tip them. Then they look at me like I'm nuts.
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post #22 of 24
1/28/07 at 12:14pm
I heartily encourage others to disregard this thread. It has obviously turned into someone's soapbox.



-b
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post #23 of 24
1/28/07 at 1:26pm
I think a delivery person should get 20%. they can basically only do one delivery at a time and each takes a fair amount of time. and they use their own cars and gas prices are so high.

20% for take out seems unnecessary but 10 or more seems a decent thing to do.

At really cheap coffee shops where the bill is under $10 I still leave $2.
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post #24 of 24
1/30/07 at 11:58pm
I live in Australia. Tipping is extremely rare - mainly because everyone is at least on the minimum wage, which is relatively high compared to the US and other places.

Some small amount of tipping does occur for very good service in a restaurant - but rarely above 10%.

The main source of tippers down here, is foreign tourists.
Renato
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