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For pick-up I usually pay cash and "Just keep the change."

For delivery I tip 10%+ to make an even number, ($22.45 + $24.00)

Ugh, it's not obligatory but I do feel bad putting 0. I usually tip 10% for take-out, which is usually around $4.

I tip at buffets 20% if the person taking care of us removes plates and refills drinks immediately.

The delivery charge is usually $10-15 when I order delivery, so I tip 10%.

I guess I have no hard and fast rule. In general I tip. THe more complex the order, the more likely I am to tip. The more often I go somewhere, the more likely. One pizza? No. Chinese withe sides and sauces etc. Yes, and well.

If I pick up food that is prepared quickly and given to me blazing hot, I'll tip $1. I want the place to know I'm happy about the quick service and the still-hot food.

If I get a delivery, I always tip. Unless what I get is cold, then it goes back, unpaid, and I eat cereal.

Delivery, yes, I'll give a small tip, provided it gets here timely. But it's not a lot -- just a couple or three bucks, usually. Especially since most places around here tack on a delivery charge anyway.

Take-out. If it's a "real" restaurant where take-out is the exception, not the norm, I'll tip. This is assuming there's a server who's handling the orders, and I know there's a certain amount of "plating" work he/she has to do. If they got it all right, and it's still hot, I'll leave 5%-10% tip, but not more, unless it's a really big and/or complicated order.

All other take-out, as in counter-service type places, where take-out is a huge part of their reason for existing? One of those places where there's one of those despicable tip jars? No way. Never.

Always if the food is delivered. The only food we pick up is at a local Italian restaurant and we tip a dollar or two depending upon the bill. I'm glad to see this question and comments, especially about when food is picked up because I don't remember seeing it addressed before.

We usually give a dollar or two when we pick up food at our "usual" Chinese or Italian places. We may give 3-5 dollars for sushi takeaway, but it always goes into the "chef's" tin - they do not start making sushi for takeaway until you arrive, even if you order by phone. It works just fine for me - they don't waste expensive ingredients in case you don't show up to pick up your order, and I can see my sushi being made, which is why we tend to tip the chef (yeah, it may be part of their plan, but I do enjoy the show:-)). I don't think that I'll leave a tip if a buy a pizza though.

I don't remember last time we ordered delivery:-). I used to do it more often in my single days, and I always tipped 10-15%.

I never tip if I'm picking up. I always tip for delivery, however.

i don't think you need to tip for pick-up...

but what I heard the other day when I was paying for a large delivery with a credit card - if I wanted to add the tip upfront in my credit card bill?? Pay the tip upfront??? I guess that defeats the purpose of rewarding a good service... I said of course, not, because as we say in spanish - "musico pago no toca bien" (translation - "a paid musician will not play well").

@Zekks-At a buffet, I can make 5-6 trips and my husband 6-8. I don't like stacking food on my plate, so I'll put 2-4 items in small portions, walk back, and eat. I make separate trips for my subsets of food (salad, soup, etc.)

At the buffets where we tip 20%, by the time I get back from grabbing food, my used plate is gone, I'll sometimes have new utensils, and my water is topped off. Also, we rarely get up to grab food at the same time so they could be at our table 12+ times.

Servers at sit-down restaurants place our order, get our water, usually someone else delivers our appetizer and meal, check our glasses a couple of times and ask if everything is all right 1-2 times. We don't drink alcohol, soda, nor do we typically order dessert. We're really low maintenance at regular restaurants.

Oh, I thought of one place that I don't tip that I maybe should...at a coffee shop like Starbucks. :O

I always tip well at a buffet too, if the service is quick and friendly. I used to be a waitress back in my student days, so I usually tip well in general. If service is exceptionally good, I've been known to tip as much as 30-40% - not b/c I'm rich - but b/c I really do appreciate good service and how it makes the dining experience so much better. As for take-out/delivery, I never order take-out or delivery - I cook almost every night (yes, after getting home from work) for my family and the only times I don't is if we go out. I think I would tip for both (less for take-out, of course).

I tip a few dollars for carryout but I believe it should be optional and not expected as some restaurant employees seem to. Every situation is different. Having worked in many of these positions I have a hard time justifying 10% on carryout while $2-3 for a delivered pizza is the norm. Somebody takes 30 min of drive time on their car, braves the elements and neighborhood and delivers to my door deserves more than somebody who hands me my bag of carryout. For carryout In many restaurants it is the bartender or hostess. Yes they do work and ensure your order is correct. Fact is, half the time my order isn't correct and often if the bartender is busy then a manager or other employee puts your order together and the bartender somehow is still the one who recieves my tip. Also, the argument that servers are paid sub minimum wage doesn't really apply here as bartenders, hostesses and everyone else is paid a higher rate and they are usually the ones putting your order together. Also, these underpaid bartenders are also tipped $1-$2 for each beer and glass of wine I order. If I get my drink from the server at the table than many places obligate the server to tip the bartender a percentage of sales. If you are working in a restaurant and complaining about not making sufficient carryout tips it really shouldn't make or break you unless you can't make any tips of walk in customers as well.
Again, I believe a few bucks is often appropriate amd even more under certain circumstances but advocating 10% is simply an employee feeling entitled.

I'll only tip for take out if I've asked for something special. Standard, no. I tip pretty well for delivery. I sometimes question whether it's enough, but I've noticed that my food usually comes pretty fast, as opposed to some of my co-workers, so I'm assuming the delivery guys like me.

I never quite know what to do with buffet service. Table service tipping seems too much since the buffet guys are just whisking away plates, not taking or delivering orders, and even at that, at least at the places I go with buffet (Indian mainly) the waiters often seem, I don't know, brusk. Anyhow, I tip 15% for buffet, which isn't quite as much as the 20% I do for regular table service, which I still think is too much, but what are ya gonna do?