Tipping on Take-Out Food
What is the deal with tipping on take-out food? Danielle just came home after picking up some food at a local restaurant and was a bit perplexed and even felt guilty. Someone put the take-out boxes (that the food was in) into a bag and took her money from her. The food came to $37.78 and she gave the girl $38. The girl apparently did not even make a move to give her the 22 cents in change Danielle was due. Danielle left without saying anything to the girl or making eye contact because she was not thinking that she was going to give the girl a tip when she walked in…but, now she felt like she was expected totet. My question is, what is the deal with tipping on take-out? Should someone get a tip for taking your money and putting your food in a bag? This is a bit perplexing to me.
July 8th, 2006 at 2:18 am
Perhaps the girl was perplexed by the math needed to make change. Or the girl was a total slacker.
July 19th, 2006 at 9:38 am
I don’t think I’d tip anyone that thought they could just take the tip from me. In general, I don’t tip someone for letting me drive to their location to pay for food, with the exception of one Chinese restaurant I go to.
They’re a really nice family, the food is good (& cheap!) and they all seem to work hard there. They have a tip jar on the counter, so I just drop in the coins I get in my change.
I actually started doing this one night when I called at 9:52 PM and asked what time they closed. “10:00.” Me: Okay, thanks–I guess that’s a little too late to place an order. “It’s okay, what would you like?” She actually took the order and it was ready to go at 10:05.
I guess that was just a pleasant change from the stores where the employees shift into useless mode 20 minutes before they close (assuming they weren’t already stuck in that mode from the time they clocked in.)
April 20th, 2007 at 6:52 am
A tip should be given when ordering take out from a restaurant that provides a dine in service. It is important to remember that the restaurant is still paying this person a meager wage because legally they can. Also this individual has also taken your order and modified it (just like dining in), given you your food (just like dining in), and checked the food and then packaged and bagged the meal. The standard 20% is not necessary but just give the girl a couple of dollars and you will be happy and they won’t continue to spit in your food.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:29 am
the standard 20%??! who the hell tips 20% … i thought a standard tip was 15% … i usually give 10% but not for takeout.
here’s a tip… get a better job where they pay you what you’re worth and you don’t have to rely on the charity of strangers.