Do you tip for take out that you pick-up yourself?
I never tip if I'm picking up. I always tip for delivery, however.
I never tip if I'm picking up. I always tip for delivery, however.
Wookie hit it on the head. If you're getting takeout from a fairly nice restaurant where a server or bartender is putting together your order--and thus spending valuable time away from their sit-down customers--you will be loathed if you don't tip.
10% is sufficient (though no one would complain if it were more). If your miserly claws can't part with that, fine, but just know that you are being referred to in the most unsavory of terms as you leave that restaurant. And if you leave a zero tip before your order is put together and that bartender/server sees it...well, let's just say you're a more adventurous eater than me.
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).
When I posed the question, I hadn't thought about buffets. The servers don't bring food, but you're right Cassaendra, they hustle with drinks and clean plates. I wonder how they get paid - they probably get even less than wait staff at full service restaurants, and I'll bet they get stiffed on tips.
I'm still not sure about how much to tip for delivery. Some places charge a hefty delivery charge, but if the driver isn't getting much of that....... I appreciate the service and probably tip too much, but I'd rather that than too little.
I guess an extra dollar or two wouldn't hurt to add on the tip line for take out, with extra for special service. We all know that the people doing the hard work are not well paid.
@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
Each establishment is different.
I own a take-away/delivery place and first, more place DO NOT tack on a delivery charge. Delivery people work very hard and it's tough riding a bike at night, through often bad weather, to get to you on time with the amount of take-away New Yorkers demand.
Second, counter people are trained in great service and usually have to give a good amount of time to customer (many of them foodies) AND they also do work lightly in food handling. These jobs are not high paying jobs and if you think that someone has spent a bit of time with you, a small tip for you is a big difference for them. If they haven't, then by all means, don't tip but I would go by each experience.
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").
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