Fayette.Talk

By TO Tip

January 6, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this

Tip on to-go orders? Why? They are doing their job. They don’t have to wait on me at a table, etc. The only ones who get tipped are those that see to my creature comforts while I am dining INSIDE their establishment. Why should I tip someone for doing their job of cooking? Aren’t they already paid to do that?

By PFreezy

January 6, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

I do not tip on to go orders…that’s like tipping the cashier at McDonalds. They havent done anything but pass the food across the counter.

By mimi

January 6, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

I don’t think you should tip on a to go order. Everywhere you go nowadays there is a tip jar starring you right in the face, so we are made to feel guilty for not tipping. Somethings should be included in your service. She is a cashier, she merely handed you a bag. I always tip the waiters, because I know they are not making minimum wage. I must say though that the service provided at most restaurants these days are not worthy of a tip. Everyone is ready for a free handouot, but are not willing to do the extra little things that deserve a tip, actually, they are not doing the neccessary things that you should do anyway like good customer service.

By AJ

January 6, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this

Of course I tip for to-go orders. The money usually goes to someone making $2.13 an hour and relying on tips for their wage. I do not however always tip my customary 20% as if I was at the table. One to three dollars is plenty I feel.

By Blue Devil

January 6, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this

Throwing a buck or two in the jar or on the receipt tip line is pure karma. Sure, you can pass it up, but when you’re trying to make a left hand turn across three lanes of traffic, maybe that same cashier or waitress will be the one to let you out….or not.

By Scott

January 6, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this

Depends a lot on the restaurant. We have several places we go pretty often in our neighborhood, so I will make sure to leave them a couple of bucks. Random places I tend not to though…

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this

No, I don’t tip the folks who give me my food at the take-out. As a matter of fact, I resent that the take-out orders, when paying with a credit card, have a line for tip as if they expect you to tip them. You don’t tip the Mickey D’s drive through attendant. You don’t tip the guy who rings up your groceries in the store. You don’t tip the person who takes your money for pumping gas. Why would you tip someone for ringing up, and handing you the food, just because it’s a restaurant that has servers for sit down service? I really don’t see your logic here.

I’ve actually been harassed and witnessed poor behavior from folks who take to go orders too. At one restaurant I called and ordered 20 Hot Wings to go, and I drove all the way over there to pick them up. My order was $19.10, and I handed the clerk a $20. She had the nerve to say to me “Do you need your change?”. Puh-leeze! I was annoyed, although I felt pressured to let her have it, so I said no, at which point she rang the register up, put in my $20, took out $1, and put it in her pocket! I gave that same restaurant one more chance (because we really liked their wings). The second time I went, I paid with a credit card. The cashier handed me the slip, with the conveniently located “tip” spot on it. I wrote a slash through the tip spot and carried down the total and signed it. As I was collecting my bags of food, and before I got out of earshot, she turned to the other girl up at the counter and said very loudly “See! People just don’t tip! Sucks!”. The nerve. Tips are designed for certain job functions, and in my opinion does not include folks ringing up your food. I hate seeing the tip jar on the counter and I hate having to fill out my credit card receipt with “tip” amount when I pay for something to go.

By MKAD

January 6, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

YES… tip! 10% on to go/pick-up orders. The waiter is providing a service to you at the counter. They get a base salary with an expectation of receiving tips. That’s how a restaurant works. Otherwise, no person would want to work at the pick-up counter! Be generous to others and watch it come back to you every time!

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

No, I don’t tip the folks who give me my food at the take-out. As a matter of fact, I resent that the take-out orders, when paying with a credit card, have a line for tip as if they expect you to tip them. You don’t tip the Mickey D’s drive through attendant. You don’t tip the guy who rings up your groceries in the store. You don’t tip the person who takes your money for pumping gas. Why would you tip someone for ringing up, and handing you the food, just because it’s a restaurant that has servers for sit down service? I really don’t see your logic here.

I’ve actually been harassed and witnessed poor behavior from folks who take to go orders too. At one restaurant I called and ordered 20 Hot Wings to go, and I drove all the way over there to pick them up. My order was $19.10, and I handed the clerk a $20. She had the nerve to say to me “Do you need your change?”. Puh-leeze! I was annoyed, although I felt pressured to let her have it, so I said no, at which point she rang the register up, put in my $20, took out $1, and put it in her pocket! I gave that same restaurant one more chance (because we really liked their wings). The second time I went, I paid with a credit card. The cashier handed me the slip, with the conveniently located “tip” spot on it. I wrote a slash through the tip spot and carried down the total and signed it. As I was collecting my bags of food, and before I got out of earshot, she turned to the other girl up at the counter and said very loudly “See! People just don’t tip! Sucks!”. The nerve. Tips are designed for certain job functions, and in my opinion does not include folks ringing up your food. I hate seeing the tip jar on the counter and I hate having to fill out my credit card receipt with “tip” amount when I pay for something to go.

By TipperGore

January 6, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this

I generally tip on to-go orders placed at the bar of a restaurant with table service… never at any place where you order at the counter and pour your own Coke, even if dining in.

By kalalu

January 6, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this

I think some people think that all people who do take-out don’t ‘do’ anything to deserve a tip. I work at a restaurant and sometimes to to-go and it’s more than just handing someone their food. It’s just like waiting on a table except usually no drinks. You have to answer multiple phone calls coming in, ring in the orders correctly, put the boxes together and include any condiments, sauces, make soups, make sure the food was made correctly, package correctly, and organize the orders so that YOU get your food. IF you’re going to be lazy enough to not make dinner that night, then at least show some gratitude for the person who’s helping you.

By Take out gal

January 6, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

As a take-out person who’s been in food industry for some time, you can’t compare a fast-food place to Olive Garden. Those who work in a “restaurant” do not get a high wage like you may think and we do work on TIPS. We do not expect 15% but when you see us running around packing your food and getting other customers’ orders, $1 wouldn’t hurt you too bad would it especially when there’s a gratuity line on the credit card receipt. We are providing a service even though you’re not dining in. I make it a point to check the order (especially since they can be specific), go over the order w/the customer and pack it so it doesn’t spill over. There are those who will just grab your food and throw it in a bag so which service would you rather have? So next time you pick up take out at a non-fastfood eating establishment consider whether you’re getting service worthy of even just a $1 tip.

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Ouch Kalalu! You’re going to call the customer “lazy enough not to make dinner” and then expect a tip? Sorry. I’ve got 2 daughters who work as hostesses. They get paid a lot more than the waitstaff, and their responsibilities include taking the to go orders, although they don’t ring them up. Many times those responsibilities for preparing the to go order are handled by multiple people, not just the clerk. The waitstaff makes around two bucks an hours b/c their salary includes the expectation of tips. The person ringing up the food makes more than that.

By Charlie

January 6, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Kalalu - doesn’t the restaraunt pay you to perform those basic job functions? Why should we pay you too?

Unless I am at a sit down restaraunt I will NEVER tip these types of service people. That goes for Starbucks too! What a scam!

By Nameless

January 6, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this

No I don’t tip for picking up my own food. I tip wait staff if they are nice and friendly, add to my dining experience and make sure I have everything I need during the course of my meal. Taking my order over the phone and then putting it together is not enough IMHO.

You could make an argument for tipping any and everyone from the gas station cashier through the clothes store attendant and even the nurse who draws your blood at the doctor’s office.

You have to draw the line somewhere and picking up take out is where I draw it.

And how about editing the blog postings and removing the ads that people post?

By reservoirDAWG

January 6, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this

It depends on how friendly the cashier is and her/his attitude.

By ASH

January 6, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

Really people? The cashier at McDonalds gets paid by the hour at minimum wage or better. And I’m going to go out on a limb and bet that the customer experience at McDonalds and the one at the take-out restaurant are a little different. The hostess or cashier at the take-out counter usually gets paid a little more than the standard wait industry 2.13 an hour…but the idea is that they make up the difference in wages in tips. Not 15-20%…but just a little something. Generosity never hurt anyone.

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

Take out gal, you provide a much more reasonable plea, and yes, if someone goes to that much trouble, I do tip them. That just doesn’t happen often. I have tipped take out folks when they check my order, ask if I need anything else, pack it nicely. That’s working for a tip, and I would, and have, tipped folks for that.

As for the “you owe me” attitude I usually see, I’d like to be able to subtract from those folks. I think a restaurant is wrong too, if they are telling the take out cashiers to rely on tips. That’s not fair to the customers, and if I ever saw a restaurant using that as a policy to placate cashiers, I would never order take out from them again.

By Storm

January 6, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this

I will tip if I go into the establishment, and order something to go.

I will tip the people at Applebee’s for Curbside to go.

I tip my pizza delivery person $5.00, and the Chinese food delivery person too. They are doing ME a favor and driving my meal to me, saving me a trip.

But if I call in an order, and go and get it, get out of the car, go inside to get my food, then NO I do not tip.

I also do not tip at Buffets, where I get my own food and drink.

By amy

January 6, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

NO! If they feel like they don’t get paid enough, well, then that should motivate them to get out of the restaurant and go apply to a HIGHER paying job, and actually strive to do better. Common Sense, people.

By aldga2008

January 6, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this

I work in the food service industry and know first hand that although that server is not cooking the food they are making sure that your other “creature comforts” are handled. Those creature comforts include ketchup to go with your fries, mustard for your burger, forks and knives if needed. What if I were to purposely leave out the syrup for your pancakes and you found you had none when you got home? Of course, I tip. They may ONLY be “doing their job,” but they are probably doing it for $2.13 PLUS TIPS!!!

By K-Dubb

January 6, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this

With reference to “to-go” orders, I look at the tip line on credit card receipts and tip jars at registers as a source of coercion. Moreover, unless it is a big order I really to do not find these types of tips to be necessary. Nonetheless, I always find that the person has screwed my order up in one way or another (condiments, plastic ware, napkins, etc…), so what is the point?

By They Make at Least Minimum Wage

January 6, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this

Sorry, AJ, but counter people at take-out restaurants make at least minimum wage, not the $2.13 you quoted (that is for servers or bartenders whose major source of income is tips and this does not include the take-out counter workers). And, no, I do not tip at take-out restaurants. At buffet style places, I leave a minimal tip on the table for the person who clears the table when I’m done.

By Michael'sMom

January 6, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

People…spare a tip! You have no idea how much work is involved in getting a “to go” order ready. With the tough economy, we are all struggling together. If you can afford to “eat out” or “eat in”, please tip. Show we have a “little” class.

By kalalu

January 6, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

No, not all restaurants pay ‘to-go’ a regular wage. Just like previous posters said, at a lot of restaurants, mine included, you get paid the minimum 2.13. You work off tips. Just like a bartender and server. Barbara-I think I made the same argument as Take Out Gal, in saying that we do more than just hand you your food. I get to-go orders from places when I feel ‘lazy’ or tired and don’t want to cook dinner. and I thank the person for helping me with this convenience and their work in making sure it’s what I ordered and that I have all the needed extras that go along with it, by giving them a gratuity. You don’t have to tip, Barbara, if that’s how you feel. That’s your right. I’m not saying everyone HAS to, but those to-go people remember you, especially if you are a regular customer, and they remember who tips, who tips well and who doesn’t tip at all. I’m just saying it’s appreciated.

By NICK

January 6, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

I have always “tipped” a few dollars, but RARELY have I ever received a “thank you”.

I am NOT going to tip anymore until “restaurant folks” learn some manners…

By Bob

January 6, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

Since food service individuals are not paid a living wage as they are for instance in Australia tips are part of the wage structure for them. Unless the service is absolutely abysmal I always tip food service workers 20% of the bill. Everyone deserves to make a living. if I can afford to eat out I can afford to tip.

By KA

January 6, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this

I usually tip 10% for take-out at my local Chinese restaurant where we also eat-in frequently. At Christmas I tipped my regular take-out waiter $20. She was thrilled. If you have ever worked for tips you know that at least half of the customers under tip. An extra dollar or two is appreciated more than you know. And we get wonderful service when we eat in the restaurant.

By Stan Drulia

January 6, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

It mostly depends on what kind of cans we are talking about on the cashier. Big cans, big tip!

By Take out gal

January 6, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

I understand and respect all views. For those who think it’s part of our jobs and that we should go get a higher paying job; there are many who get paid way to much for not doing any part of their job. In today’s economy, you have to do what you have need to do. I do have a higher paying job and also do takeout because you just never know what will happen. Unless you’re very fortunate and have others to tend to you, you really have to take care of yourself…and thus that’s what I choose to do when I take your order, ensure it’s correct, provide all the condiments and utensils and hope the service is nothing short of superior. I’ve ordered takeout myself and can see your point of view but paying it forward with a little change does wonders. I appreciate every little bit of gratuity but for those who put a “zero” on the tip line…can you put a smiley face in it next time? :-) It’ll make the zero feel much better.

By Chuck

January 6, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this

Go ahead. Randon act of kindness. Give them a good tip. It might just spread. Make someone smile today.

By K-Guy

January 6, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

I agree with those that say it depends on the situation at a given establishment. I used to eat at The Vortex, and often times ordered food to-go when I worked in the area. They charge a 10% take-out fee for the wait staff to have as their tip. Then an employee had the audacity to say when I placed an order “Oh you are the guys that never tip.” Are you kidding me? I actually will throw the change in the jar or right down a dollar or so on the tip line of a credit receipt, but to charge me for take-out and then insult me on top of it expecting a tip?

By Bleachbum

January 6, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t tip for take-out service. The people that perform that tasks are not wait-staff, they are, essentially, fast-food workers. You can list all of the tasks that you complete in getting an order to a custormer, but it is a job requirement, not an extra service. This tip-jar mania has gotten out of control because some people are seeking extra pay to stay in positions that are typically temporary in nature. A good example is the tip “box” that has become common place on the shelf at the drive-through window at Starbucks. If you follow some people’s arguements, you would tip for great service, however, I rarely see the same person there more than two or three times.

You can’t make a career out of, nor can you support a family on, the money that you will make at a take-out counter. To push the tip-jar arguement is to attempt to prolong your time in a position that is transitory by nature. You would be better served by striving to work up to a job that isn’t dependent on a tip-jar instead of railing at your customers that they should support in overstaying your time in an entry-level position.

By Jay

January 6, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this

Regarding the receipt including the “tip line”…that is automatic depending on the printer, the cashier has nothing to do with including that on the print-out. As for “we don’t work for minimum wage, we rely on tips”: you knew that going in, so don’t complain when folks don’t supplement your income. Some people are just that way. I do however, tip 20%..more if the server was excellent, much less if they just went through the motions. I definitely try to avoid any establishment that has “gratuity included” on the menu. The service is usually horrible because the waiter/waitress knows they will get something regardless. As Dennis Miller used to say, “It’s just my opinion, I could be wrong”.

By TDF

January 6, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this

I tip 10% for take-out vs. 15-20% for dine in for restaurants (not for fast food)

By Jason

January 6, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

If the tip is obligatory then incorporate it into the bill. Otherwise, hand me my food and get out of my life.

By Sal

January 6, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

I don’t usually tip when I pick up to-go food…in fact, I thought that the credit card receipt was just set up automatically to include the tip line (I’ve never noticed a service industry of any type that doesn’t have the tip line…doesn’t mean that you have to use it). After giving it some thought, If I pay in cash in the future I would be more inclined to throw a buck in the tip jar.

By reservoirDAWG

January 6, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this

Here’s a tip: Don’t smoke in bed.

By Julia

January 6, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

I don’t feel it necessary to tip when I pick up food or when I grab quick food. Everyone has a tip jar out these days and feels as though they are entitled for doing their job. Those employees receive a wage (usually above the minimum) and should not expect anything above. Only servers and the girl who cuts my hair. I waited tables while I was in college and relied very heavily on my tips because I made $2.13. The girl who ran the to go counter made over $8 an hour and would snipe all the time about her lousy tips. I really felt she wasn’t doing the work that the waitstaff did and therefore was not entitled tips. She received an adequate wage for her job and should not have expected more. If she wants more than put on an apron and change your job title. That goes for the rest of them.

By Joyce

January 6, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

If I patronize the restaurant often and am satisfied with the service, I tip a buck or two for take out - dependent on the bulk. I live in a small town and it’s just a caring issue for me. I always tip adequately when I eat out; I even tip the carry-out boys at the grocery store.

By Cindy Lu

January 6, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

I don’t at fast food restaurants like Krystal, McD, BK but I have found that other types of restaurants that are defined as “fast food” automatically add a tip to the to go orders. I have no problem with that.

By johnny t-bone

January 6, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this

So many of the comments above mention that people are paid a low wage because they are expected to make tips. That is the case for wait staff, that is not the case for the cashier who is ringing you up and handing you your order. They are supposed to be paid at least minimum wage specifically because they are not expected to earn tips from customers.
No tipping on to go orders, unless you are stupid enough to be guilted into it.

Do you tip bank tellers, or the cashier dude at the bowling alley who is not only ringing you up, but getting your shoes for you? Hmm, I didn’t think so.

The people you are tipping for take out are, or should be paid at least minimum wage. They are not waiters and are not suppose to rely on tips. Get over it.

By Wanda

January 6, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this

OMGosh I can’t believe some of these comments. Everyone can afford to tip a $1.00 or 2 for a to go order. It is usually the wait staff that gets the order together. Please quit being so stingy. If we would all give a little just think what you will get back in return.

By Kelly

January 6, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

I don’t tip ever on take out service. For on; no one is physically “waiting” on me and my party; no one is serving me drinks, or coming by asking me “is everything ok”. I rarely do take out; but in any event I feel there is no reason to tip, and many people that do use take out often use it as an excuse NOT to tip.Also, depending on the type of restaurant you work for, the waitstaff could easily bring home more pay in a weekend than I do all week long.

By Rufus

January 6, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

What about when you order delivery, and the bill includes a delivery charge? Do you still tip the delivery person? I ordered pizza a few nights ago and noticed a delivery charge. I tipped a couple dollars in addition to the delivery charge, but wondered if I should.

By JANIS

January 6, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this

Shame on anyone for not tipping to go as well. McDonalds folks receive minimum wage, restaurant folks do not. They make little more than 2.00 per hour and it barely covers their taxes. Restaurant pay is totally different from fast food pay. Shame on anyone who stiffs their server, even in to go. Shame, shame, shame!!!

By adam

January 6, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this

Here is a little rule i always do when tipping. I always give one dollar more than i think i should. This usually puts my tip in the 25% to 30% range. It is one dollar for christ sake. You would not believe how much better service you will get in a bar or restaurant when you do this. THEY DO REMEMBER. And i always throw a dollar in the tip jar on takeout orders. It is just good Karma. You can be a cheapskate or a nice guy. Why not just be a nice guy.

PS I have never worked in a restaruant so i am not biased. Im simply not a jerk.

By gwatl

January 6, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

You have to be kidding!!! Do you also tip when you purchase gas? Do you tip when you make a purchase at a drug store? Do you tip when you make a purchase at Macy’s? It may be one of the reasons some of these ‘tippers’ can’t pay their own bills!!

By Josh

January 6, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this

Since I have been in the service industry for many years, I can tell you that tipping for a take-out is appropriate. I am a daytime bartender at the restaurant I work in and I take and put together all to-go orders while making $2.13 per hour. I RELY on your tips to make a living. It’s not Mcdonalds, where people are making a wage. When you place a to-go order for 10 people and I spend twenty minutes taking the order and putting it all together, I believe I deserve a tip. I will say, though, that all I expect is 10%, not the standard 15%-20%. It’s just the polite thing to do and it is a cultural norm in America.

By Aubrey

January 6, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this

When I dine out, I consistently tip between 20% and 25% but like many posters here, I resent being expected to leave a tip when I’m just picking up food that was prepared and bagged in the back and the hostess just walks to the kitchen counter to get it.

By j

January 6, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

Two things…

If you go into a place and the bartender is obviously handling the togo order, then they are only making a couple of dollars an hour.

And, remember that servers and other restairant people have GREAT memories when it comes to people who don’t tip. Something will be messed up next time if you don’t tip.

By Dale

January 6, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

I always leave a dollar or two for take out. I know that the take out person has to put my order together. If there is a tip jar, the tip is ususally spread around between the kitchen staff, which means no one gets very much. Does an extra dollar hurt you? It means a lot to them.

By Stingy

January 6, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this

You can call me stingy if you want, but I don’t typically tip at takeouts. I also don’t live my life by karma, I do the right thing, period. If someone does something extra or well, then I tip, but most do not. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sneered at or treated dismissively from behind a tip jar before I ever pulled out my wallet. These are people who, frequently, can’t see the link between their attitude and their pay even when it’s right in front of them, but by god, you’re scum if you don’t tip.

All of you on this stream that say give a dollar, what can it hurt, then listen up. You are propping up a system that does nothing to earn the money it collects. I also guarantee that in the near future, these tip jars are going to see a lot less use. And by the way, I’m not going to tip someone who doesn’t deserve it, in the hopes of having something good happen to me later in the day and I’m surely not going to pay them to do their jobs. I take more responsibility for my life, than that.

By Staceye

January 6, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

Kalalu IF you’re going to be lazy enough to not make dinner that night, then at least show some gratitude for the person who’s helping you. The gratitude is the fact that teh customer chose to patronize the establishment in which you work….therefore keeping you in a job! If tips are expected then perhaps their prices should be lowered. I have gotten a smoothie from Roebeks that cost just as much as if I went and got a real mean that would fiil me up longer than 30 minutes. And there it was…a tip jar! Sorry….you tip was in that $8 I just spent. Oh and it wasn’t even a large size smoothie! Even Chipotle has gone up recently….meanwhile the portion of meat given is still tiny. They fill the bowl with rice. And if you ask for more meat..guess what..you get charged more. If I have to get up and go get my own food..I do not see that as lazy. I just wanted something that I like. Without that..there would be more unemployed folks. Where do we draw the line? Next thing you know Marta drivers will be expecting tips for driving a bus or a train!

By Billy

January 6, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

It’s probably apocryphal, but I’ve heard that the word “tip” is actually an acronym from bygone days when a customer would throw a little money toward the staff “To Insure Promptness”. Whether this is the case or not, I think it’s something worth doing.

Unless a server has been rude or willfully neglectful toward me, I tip. Fairly well, usually. This goes for deliveries and pick-up orders as well. Some on here sound kind of like Dwight on The Office. “Why tip someone for a job I’m capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones.”

Barbara, you took offense when kalau made the “too lazy to make your own dinner” comment. Maybe that was a little out of line, but your entire first post was brimming with near-rage at the expectation of tips. I mean, resenting the “tip” line on credit card slips? Really? I worked at a retail place for a while that had a tip line. No tip was expected, and everyone knew that. It was just how the system there worked, for some reason. Besides, if there is no line on the slip, or no jar on the counter, then no one is going to bother leaving a tip. It at least gives them the option of leaving one easily.

As for the “go get a better job” argument — any time people say this they come across as condescending a-holes. You say that now, but when the barista at Starbucks leaves and is replaced by someone new, your service is going to suffer. Can you imagine that argument with, say, teachers, police, firefighters, soldiers? “You say you’re underpaid? Go find a better career. We’ll just stick someone who knows nothing in your place for some on-the-job training.” No, I’m not equating working the to-go counter with any of those professions. I’m just saying that a dollar on top of your order is not going to break you, and it may pay off in return.

I know you can’t support yourself and a family on this sort of job. But maybe you can earn enough to pay for a class or two and work your way toward a degree and a solid career.

Try leaving a good tip now and then. It feels good. Several years ago my wife and I were in a Waffle House. It was dead — no customers other than us from the time we got there until the time we left. I asked the waitress about it and she said we were the fifth customers she’d had in the three hours since her shift began. At Waffle House 20% is only going to come out to about $1 per person, so we felt pretty bad for her. We left $5 on our $10 tab. We were in the car when she found it. Her eyes went wide and she turned around and said something excitedly to her coworker. She watched us drive off and it looked like she may have been on the verge of tears. It was only $5 to us — a combo at a fast food place, maybe — but to her it was much more, and as such it was probably the best $5 I’ve ever spent.

By T Brooks

January 6, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

I do not tip on to go orders. Why should I? All that person has done was their job. I really don’t understand the point of tipping anyway. Why does the food service industry get to pay people $2.13 with the hopes that those they’re serving will supplement the rest of the income. I am not big on tipping & I have worked as a server before and immediately found out that it was not the place for me — I need gauranteed funds. When you work in that industry you are depending on other random people, who can not be held accountable, to pay your bills. Everyone knows that you should never place your livelyhood in the hands of strangers. Just my thoughts :-)

By They Make at Least Minimum Wage

January 6, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

Many of the things that take-out-counter-people USED to do, are no longer done by them - they don’t serve you a drink - they give you an empty cup and you go and add ice and beverage; they don’t give you condiments anymore - you go to another counter and take your own ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc., along with a napkin if you want one. They do less and less so I no longer tip. I do, however, tip when someone drives to my house with an order - that is an extra convenience service that is worth a tip.

By JD

January 6, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this

I agree w/no tipping on carry-out orders. It’s just silly to tip them to hand me my food. What also is silly is to tip a bartender for handing me a beer bottle. Removing a cap and handing it to me hardly renders a generous tip.

By jersey girl

January 6, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

I agree with the comments about it being to tip on to go orders just for goodness’ sake. Sounds good.:)

I however, have not typically tipped on to go orders, especially at a restaurant that has eat in as well as take out. I figured that the bar staff and others who handle take out are adequately tipped by customers who are dining in. Maybe I shouldn’t count so much on the deeds of others…

Now, delivery is different. I always tip for delivery. That’s just expected since the person is taking time and gas to bring the food to you which is a great benefit.:)

By Just the Tip

January 6, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

A couple of restaurants in my area charge service fees for takeout orders which really kills my motivation to tip. Sadly in these cases it does come down to how cute and kind the cashier is. I know, I’m a horrible person.

By HairPick

January 6, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

As someone who works the to-go line, I always appreciate a tip. For those regulars that don’t, and there are quite a few, we always put a little something special in their meal. It’s a great stress reliever. You should look at a tip as insurance. MIght make it easier for you.

By Cater is a Fool

January 6, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

NO. I also do not tip at buffets. If I serve myself, I do not leave a tip. I do not tip at hotels as cleaning the room is part of the fee for room. I am reluctant to tip on cruise ships for they are run like hotels and I do not tip for room cleaning in a hotel.

I tip for good service and tip well when something is done well or I have made a special request.

By Fodd Inspector

January 6, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

For those of you food preparers who “put a little something special in their meal” of people who don’t tip - remember - we are watching you and will prosecute you to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW for purposely contaminating someone’s food! You WILL be fined and jailed and may even be prosecuted under federal laws (ever heard of the FDA?). If you put “something special” in someone’s food, you are pretty stupid and will have “something special” put into one of your body orifices when you rot in jail!

By Food Inspector

January 6, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

For those of you food preparers who “put a little something special in their meal” of people who don’t tip - remember - we are watching you and will prosecute you to the FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW for purposely contaminating someone’s food! You WILL be fined and jailed and may even be prosecuted under federal laws (ever heard of the FDA?). If you put “something special” in someone’s food, you are pretty stupid and will have “something special” put into one of your body orifices when you rot in jail!

By ArtVandelay

January 6, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

Why, what have they done besides hand me my food? I don’t know about all places but I have been told by friends of mine who work in the restaurant industry that those who work takeout are typically making at least minimum wage or more. Unlike the waitresses.

By Payroll Administrator

January 6, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

First of all, servers make at least minimum wage of $2.13 per hour PLUS tips. Employers are required BY LAW to make up the difference if their tips added to the minimum wait rate of $2.13 doesn’t take them to the Federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour.

Second of all, I will NOT tip for take out orders especially at restaurants such as Starbucks or Subway. Those employees are NOT paid at a wait rate of $2.31…they make at least minimum wage. Usually I go to take out restaurants when I am trying to eat out at a cheaper cost. If you want to work for tips go work at a sit down restaurant.

By Ex Waitress_Bartender

January 6, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this

Tips are earned. They are NOT an entitlement. If I get the impression that you feel you deserve it, you get nothing. And you will get no tip for ringing me up. That’s what your salary pays you to do. (Read your job description and salary…if you go above and beyond that, I might tip you.) I wouldn’t leave a tip at Starbucks because you poured me a cup of coffee. Get over it. When I see tip jars/cans in my face, I ignore them. It’s like they are saying “Gimme”. EARN IT, and you’ll get it.

By KB

January 6, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this

It depends on the restaurant and type. If you go to a sit down restaurnt to pick up a to go order ~ YES tip. The bartender is usually the person that takes care of the order. Therefore, they are making $2.13/hour and getting taxed on the food that they just rang in and boxed up for you. Meaning ~ they are paying for you to get food from them.

If you are going to Willy’s, Moe’s, etc. ~ leave your coins if you would like. They are making a higher hourly rate and not getting taxed on the food that they make.

By KB

January 6, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

It depends on the restaurant and type. If you go to a sit down restaurnt to pick up a to go order ~ YES tip. The bartender is usually the person that takes care of the order. Therefore, they are making $2.13/hour and getting taxed on the food that they just rang in and boxed up for you. Meaning ~ they are paying for you to get food from them.

If you are going to Willy’s, Moe’s, etc. ~ leave your coins if you would like. They are making a higher hourly rate and not getting taxed on the food that they make.

By J

January 6, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

I’m willing to bet that those take out servers work harder than you think they do.

By tamface

January 6, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

I do beleive in tipping for good service. Hair, nails, feet, the works. Because they are making me look good. I normally don’t tip at the fast-food places. Like most people, I consider part of their job is to place my food in containers and package it for me. How else would I be able to take it out? After reading all the comments, I might be in clined to be more generous on this part of the food industry. Me personally, I could never work in the food industry.

By Debbie

January 6, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

I frequent a Chinese buffet downtown. I walk in, pick up my to go box, go to the buffet, fill it, bring it to the cash register (where the tip jar is). The cashier weighs it and asks for my money. No I don’t tip for to go orders. Especially since I’ve done all of the work. Besides, if you think all of the money in that tip jar goes to the cashier, you are naive.

By Stingy II

January 6, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

Well, Hairpick illustrated the point that so many of you have tried to express. If you stay in a job beyond the average entry period, you come to expect that things be given to you, even if you don’t earn them. Them, when you’ve been in that job even longer and you become disappointed or disillusioned, you start to lash out and contaminate food, most likely with bodily fluids. Bottom line, I tip when I feel like it, not when someone threatens me into doing so.

By luke

January 6, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this

NO

NO

NO

By Jonathan Kivett

January 6, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

I tip like crazy on the rare insrances when I eat in the place. Even more when some food is delivered, upwards of five dollars to the twenty-odd total. My friends are merciless to me about the amount I tip, as I am on a limited income. But I rarely eat delivered food, or out at a restaurant, or do take out. And I know how waiters and delivery folks struggle.

I do not tip when doing take out, as I observe in-house employees, not waiters, assembling and packaging the food before it even leaves the kitchen. It has been my experience that the hostess makes minimum wage. And when I tip, it is for the service to the table and/or the delivery to my house. It is also to compensate for the draconian institution of paying servers and drivers below minimum wage for their hard work.

I Worked in the food industry for ten years. And will not be shamed into tipping because a jar asks me to.

By Jessica

January 6, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Ok so I work for a restaurant as a server… and I also do TO GO’s when I am working the TO GO counter I get paid $2.13 an hour and if I dont get tips then I am, I am making just that. You idiots that dont tip at least 10% on TO GO should get your food spit on… Cheap idiots.. The TO GO person works just as hard as the server getting everything out to you.

By SayWhat

January 6, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

HairPick, do tell which restaurant you work. I will never go there because I never tip to-go and would hate to get home with a little something extra in my food!!

By scooteranddan

January 6, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this

If I ask for something special I will tip.I was at a well known sandwich shop and ask for extra tomatoes the guy grins and said “That’s why we have a tip jar”.i would have given a tip if I hadn’t been told to!Never went back.

By LAWoman

January 6, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this

Here’s a tip: Do not expect one if all you do is check my to-go food for accuracy (which should be done without expectation), bag it up & ring me up. You are doing your job. Period. My boss doesn’t tip me when I take him his morning coffee. It just goes with the job. Get over it.

By will

January 6, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this

People are so…ignorant. I would say stupid, but the truth is that they are just ignorant. Etiquette calls for a 10% tip on take-out orders at a regular restaurant. You don’t need to tip at a fast food restaurant, or at Subway, but you should if you call the local Italian restaurant for a pickup order. ESPECIALLY if you regularly order from the same restaurant where the staff will remember your name.

By 2BFree

January 6, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

I had a friend that was hired for “to-go curbside” service and her salary was $6.50 an hour (min wage was 5 something then). Her co-workers inside complained since they only made $2 something plus tips, however they discovered with tips they were averaging about $10 an hour and the take out tips were so much less than she didn’t average a $1 an hr extra.

If they bring the food to my vehicle, then yes I tip something. However I never tip the “cashier” that just hands my food to me. If I’m at subway or other sandwich shop, I usually leave something. Even at buffets were my drinks are filled and my plates are cleaned I leave something. But when I stop by my favorite Bar-B-Que place and use the “to-go” line, I do not tip just as I wouldn’t anywhere else where I had to place the order and carry the food out.

Maybe we should be more generous, but when does tipping stop. Should i tip the cashier at the grocery store since they usually bag my groceries and they make very little? How about the sanitiation workers as they work hard dealing with all that smelly trash and I’m sure they aren’t on the road to riches? How about tipping the guy sweeping the floor at Burger King? He is doing a fine job for little wages?

To me a tip is for excellent service rendered. So the wait staff gets tipped. My hair dresser is tipped. The delivery person gets a tip. But not the cashier.

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

Josh, I think you may be right that tipping is considered by some to be a “cultural norm”. I’m not sure I agree that it should be, but in many instances, you may be right. Also, when someone goes out of their way to provide good service (such as checking my order, asking me if I need anything else, offering me a drink if I get there before the order is ready to go) I definitely tip, and tip well. You make a good (and resonable) arguement.

Billy, my mood must not have been clear in my post, because I am certainly not in a “near-rage”. I meant what I said; I resent the tip line and the tip jars. It makes me feel pressured to tip. I have been confronted by aggressive take out staff over tips. I resent it, plain and simple. No rage, no hostility; just don’t like being pressured to tip. My waitstaff doesn’t wear a tip jar, or ask me for a tip, or confront me about it. And I do leave a really good tip every now and then. Matter of fact, I can top yours just in the last week. My daughter was home from college and we went for lunch out to our favorite mexican restaurant. Our bill for 2 people was around $18, and I left a $10 tip. At the same restaurant, several months back, our bill for the entire family was around $50 and I left a $20 tip. In both instances the service wasn’t different than normal. I normally tip 20-25% at this restaurant. The servers all know me well. My daughter commented on the $10 tip and I told her what I always do when I practice a random act. I said “What? Won’t they be surprised?!??! It’s fun!”. And I meant it. But I like to decide when to spend my money. I don’t want someone pressuring me into it.

Hairpick, very classy. Don’t think that attitude doesn’t show through to the customers too. I won’t be extorted into paying angry staff by wondering if they put something in my food. You need a new job.

By Cater is a Fool

January 6, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

NO. I also do not tip at buffets. If I serve myself, I do not leave a tip. I do not tip at hotels as cleaning the room is part of the fee for room. I am reluctant to tip on cruise ships for they are run like hotels and I do not tip for room cleaning in a hotel.

I tip for good service and tip well when something is done well or I have made a special request.

By Rufus

January 6, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this

I only tip if I am being served seated. At the coffe shops I only give the change not the dollar as a tip. The purchase is only 2 bucks for a cup of coffee. Not if its a to do go order the answer is no to a tip.

By claire

January 6, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

I guess it just goes to show you that some people like being nice to other and some people only think of themselves. I guess that comment can go both ways, but I’m thinking really in terms of waitstaff. I tip because I know if it were me, I’d like to be appreciated too.

By JDG

January 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

It depends on what the cashier did. Did they ask me if I needed anything else? Did they make sure I had everything correct? If they are nice I will tip…but if they barely talk and don’t do a d*mn thing I don’t think they deserve one. Cooks get paid more then waiters. Waiters get the $2.13 hourly wage. If it’s to go then the cook did all the work and they got paid. The cashier took the money and just gave me the food. That’s completly different then waiting on me inside the establishment.

Also, if they have a tip jar then I don’t tip. Tip jars are just a way to scam people out of money for doing nothing!

By clyde

January 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

I don’t do take-out orders,but if I did I would tip according to the complexity of the order and how right they get it.There has to be some basis for a tip.

By Noelle

January 6, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

I sometimes drop my change in a tip jar at takeout places. I tip a dollar or so at buffets where a server brings drinks and/or clears away plates, or for curbside service where I stay in my car and someone brings the food to me.

Only full service gets a full tip. That includes food delivery people; in fact, I often tip them higher because they’re providing extra service.

If you’re working to go, counter service, a buffet, or similar, then you should be paid a regular wage, not a “tipped position” wage. It’s not the customer’s fault if you agree to be paid less, and not their responsibility to make up the difference.

By WeBeTippin

January 6, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

you people are idiots. Jersey Girl…so you see the bartender spend time and energy on your togo order while entertaining dine in guests at same time. you assume that the bartender is making enough money from the other customers so you don’t tip??? are you crazy. you should tip your restaurant staff. if they have no money then how are they going to spend money wherever you work to keep your paycheck coming in?

By steve

January 6, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

I tip a couple bucks. No big deal.

I am curious about what others tip waitresses.

I usually start at 20% and add to it for above average service.

Is this normal? Too cheap?

By Cynic

January 6, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this

Absolutely!

For the same reason you tip someone who brings you your food at a drive-in like Sonic.

By baloney

January 6, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

When was the law written that restaurants didn’t have to pay minimum wage? When was it written that the customer was actually expected to compensate the restaurant by way of tipping?I wish in my service business I could pay my employees next to nothing and expect them to make a living on tips. The whole tipping thing is a conditioned behavior. It’s also a scam.

By Barbara

January 6, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

Take out gal, I’m asking this in all seriousness……would you really find it amusing if I used the “tip” line and drew a smiley face inside the zero? I ask because, if it was me, I’d take that as a slap, rather than amusement. It’s always interesting to hear someone else’s perspective on things. I would never think to do the smiley face thing because it seems more like a mocking than a gesture of kindness. I’m curious on your take?

Big thanks to those of you who do work in food service and have provided reasonble, non-threatening feedback to us “non-tippers”. It’s not personal, and I’m glad to see some of you responding in kind. I like hearing the opposite opinion; it opens my mind to a new perspective. But for those who threaten, or are downright hostile, you’re not convincing me to tip……

By Pandora

January 6, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this

I ONLY tip when I actually go to a restaurant and eat there.

Yes I have seen tip jars at the cashier cash register, but I never put money in it. Why should I? They are only doing their jobs. It’s not like they actually waited on me. I called in a order, or walked into an establishment and ordered food and when it was ready I paid for it and left. There is no reason why anybody should tip a cashier if you are taking out your food. That’s just crazy!!!

By Nixon

January 6, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

For the first time in YEARS, I left $1.00 tip at the mexican restaurant in Cumming. The waitress came and took our order, and disappeared for 15 minutes. While waiting for our food, we ran out of chips, and our waters were empty.

When she delivered the food, she immediately asked if everything was OK? Hell I don’t know, I just had plates put in front of me. Then she disappeared again for another 15 minutes. Again, we ran out of water and chips. When she finally came back to our table, she didn’t say two words, and left our check. I had to practically beg for more water.

Now I know for a fact this woman was not busy. There were maybe 10 other people in the restaurant. I had to ask for our waitress numerous times.

So, I left $1.00 on a $45.00 check. Too bad for her. If she had said anything to me about it, I would have told her to her face her service sucked!!!

By susan

January 6, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

YES! 10%. Putting together a take out order is not as simple or easy as it seems. True, they make minimum wage, but you are receiving a service. No, you don’t tip at a fast food restaurant, but when you are getting take out, you are not, by definition, at a fast food restaurant.

By Pandora

January 6, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

Someone mentioned on this board that the person working at the Chinese Restaurant do not make much money….that’s a lie! 99.9999% of the time they are the owners are in the owners family so yes they have plenty of money and they keep it in their family.

Tipping the cashier to pick up your ‘to go’ food is just like tipping the stock clerk in the grocery store for picking up the items they have just stocked on the shelf! It’s crazy!!! and a huge waste of money…

By I WORK FOR TIPS

January 6, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

I work in a restaurant and I regularly have to do the “to go” orders. My job is just as stressful as the servers and bartenders that I work with and like them I am paid $2.13 per hour plus tips.

People should tip me because I am doing more than giving people their orders. I am providing a service by doing the same job my co-workers are doing. I have to check that all of the modifications…”no this, sub that” to your order are right. I have to ensure that you have your extra sauce, dressing, bread, napkins, etc. I have to make sure that the items are in the right bag, because I usually have multiple orders at any given time.

How is my job working to go orders any different than dining in?

By Billy

January 6, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

I guess the tip line doesn’t bother me because it’s a matter of convenience. If I’m dining in and don’t have cash for a tip it’s nice to be able to add it like that. Without the line, what would we do? Tell the waiter to add X dollars on the tab at gratuity? I doubt it’s feasible far the to-go register to have a different card system just so people don’t feel pressured. The jar doesn’t bother me so much, either. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a purse, but I don’t carry change. Well, quarters, but no small coins. At a Starbucks or a sandwich shop I generally toss in whatever non-quarter coins I receive in my change. If I receive exceptionally good service (i.e. being very friendly or filling my order quickly) then I’ll toss in a little extra. I also might if I notice the place is understaffed.

I think a problem is that we don’t know what the people are being paid. Some may be getting $6 an hour working the to-go counter, but others may be servers getting $2.13. We don’t really know unless we go to that particular place all the time. Same with delivery drivers. Minimum wage? More? How much of that $1.75 delivery fee actually goes to the driver? I delivered pizza in college for a year or so. We started out at minimum wage and got bumped up like 50 cents after a few months. Tipping was a huge issue. It seemed like everyone had his own idea about how much we made. “Oh, they reimburse you for your mileage and/or gas.” No. We could claim it on our taxes, but it’s not a dollar-for-dollar deduction. We had no delivery fee. My paycheck covered maybe my delivery expenses; it was tips that actually allowed me to survive. And while I never added anything “extra” to anyone’s food, you can be sure neither I nor anyone else was in any hurry to get an order to a known non-tipper. We had no 30 minute guarantee, so we’d wait until another came up that we could take with the bad run. And if I had a 2 minute drive to the non-tipping house and a 10 minute drive to one that did tip, I’d take to longer one first and hit the other on the way back in.

Barb, why does the waiter deserve $10 on an $18 tab, but the to-go person not deserve $1 if that same meal were picked up? If the service was no different than normal from the waiter? What if the to-go person asked, as someone mentioned earlier, if you’d like something to drink or offered other “extras” of some sort? Does the exceptional to-go person not deserve a little “thank you” every bit as much as the average waiter, especially if it’s as small as a dollar?

By backatcha

January 6, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

I absolutely tip to-go orders. I may not tip the same percentage that I would if I had been waited on, but good service is good service, and if I get the opportunity to deal with pleasant, hard-working staff, I’m going to show my gratitude.

By ccs

January 6, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

No, I do not tip on to go orders. I also do not leave money in the tip jars at places like Starbucks. I generally only tip at a sit-down restaurant, but usually leave a dollar each (usually just me and my husband) at a buffet restaurant or a cafeteria.

By RJ

January 6, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

The request for tips has gotten out of hand in my opinion. I worked my way through college as a server for $2.13 an hour. Now, the hostess and take-out cashier made at least minimum wage (actually it was more!). I have no problem tipping my server, but these jars make me sick. I’m not tipping you for handing me a cup of coffee or putting my to-go order in a bag. Servers work extremely hard for their tips. And they make much less than minimum wage, but cashiers can forget it. I don’t tip at Burger King and I won’t tip any other cashiers either. Will Macy’s begin putting a tip jar at the cash register next? Where does this end??????

By Mayretter local

January 6, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

y’all are some real tightwads. be thankful that you don’t survive on tips is the message i’m seeing. from the take out no tippers to the dine-in 10%’ers who need a straw for their drinks and steak sauce on their well-done filets… knowhatimean servers?? it’s pretty easy to guess who some of these responders are.

smile and pass on the good vibes, and toss the server or bartender a buck or something.

By J

January 6, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

Yes, i worked in a restaurant for 5 years and learned this lesson. You don’t have to tip much (maybe $1 - $2), but they do a lot to get the orders ready. Keep in mind this isn’t fast food where the food is already pre-cooked and the person at the window can get it done in 2 minutes.

This requires the server to actually keep checking in the window to make sure the food is ready in time and also correct any mistakes. You don’t tip, they’ll remember if you frequent there often.

Yes, you people are tightwads as servers/to-go people mainly depend on these to get them through college or earn a living. I’m disgusted by some of these comments on here … i had to teach my friends and family the importance of tipping. I’m a great tipper when i go out now, and guess what, the people there remember me next time and know me by name.

By j

January 6, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

also, my comment was made on to-go orders … not dine-in … for dine-in, if you receive good to great service, you should tip between 18-20%.

By 2BFree

January 6, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this

“Putting together a take out order is not as simple or easy as it seems”

Someone please explain how taking covered plates off a shelf and putting them in a bag with napkins and plastic ware then handing them to a customer after receiving payment is different than taking the burger off a shelf, packaging the fries, preparing a drink, then handing to a customer after payment is so different.

If I pay the cashier instead of the waitress should I leave an extra tip for them as well. I’m sure they smiled and took my payment as well as could be expected. I would recommend anyone that works as a cashier/take out person making less than the true minimum wage to leave their job because they are being cheated by their boss, not the customer.

By Take out gal

January 6, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this

Barbara - good point on the smiley…I never thought about that or taking offense to it but I can see your point. I’m generally a happy and courteous person, whether at work or not so smileys make my day. A smiley personally would make the zero tip better for me but might offend another person. The smiley in the zero is definitely better than the 5 cents customers put on the credit receipts just to round up to the next dollar…yes, I have been left 5 cents on a credit receipt….kinda more offended there than a smiley in the zero. After taxes, I may go home with 3.5 cents :-)

By j

January 6, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

FYI - to-go people and hostess make the same … normally about $5.50 to $7 per hour. Not sure who came up with this idea that they make 2.13hr, only the servers make 2.13 an hour. However, sometimes it is the duty of the server to take care of the to-go orders and their own section if nobody is there to specifically handle to-go orders (same for the bartenders). Most of the people posting here have never worked in a restaurant and have some VERY biased opinions. But hey, thats what a blog is for … maybe you can actually learn something by readiong these posts or actually TALK to your to-go person or server next time and fine out how much they really make. The paychecks in a restaurant are a joke … you make about $45 for 80 hours worked (after taxes come out), so thoser tips are VERY VERY crucial. Don’t even get me started on Sunday tippers … i’m glad i’m out of the serving industry now, opened up my eyes to how cheap people really can be!

By 2BFree

January 6, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this

I do tip where the item is prepared for me like Starbucks or a bar or even Subway. That isn’t the same as “take-out”. The same holds true for curb-side service where I didn’t have to get out of the vehicle. a service provided, so I tip. But this forum started as standard walk up to a cashier, pay for your order, and leave take out. Then NO a tip is not in order. I get more service from the sales clerk at Macy’s when trying on outfits and I haven’t ever thought twice about leaving a tip there.

By j

January 6, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

2BFree … try working on a busy FRiday or Saturday Night as to-go and you tell me it’s easy.

Obviously, you’re still not going to tip but at least think about it in a different perspective instead of your own. They deserve at least a $1.

By j

January 6, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this

2BFREE - i agree … tipping at a walk up place is ridiculous

By Billy

January 6, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

Barbara, I agree about the smiley face zero. If anything could prompt me to add something “extra” to someone’s food, it would be for someone who did that to me previously.

Baloney, you can petition your congressman to pass a law requiring restaurants to pay minimum wage if you like. Just don’t complain when prices at all restaurants jump 25% afterward…Tipping for wait staff makes plenty of sense, provided customers are willing to do it. Good service begets good tips begets good service. Bad service begets bad tips, bad tips = insufficient income, insufficient income means find another job. Not tipping the good ones because of a grudge toward the system will just drive the good ones away, lowering the standard of service.

By 2BFree

January 6, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

Worked at McDonalds as a teen. Also worked to-go curb side service in college. I didn’t like either but I’ll take to-go curb side any day of the week including Friday and Saturday nights.

By barbara

January 6, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

Darn, my last post didn’t go for some reason.

But basically, Billy, I responded about the $10 on the $18 bill to point out that I do sometimes “go extra” as a random act. It was in response to your point on “try to leave a good tip sometime. It will make you feel good”. I do that, but at my discretion; not because of the pressure of the tip jar.

There are some who have made the arguement that we should tip as an act of kindness, or because the economy is bad, or because they’re working hard, or to ensure they don’t spit in our food. I’m not going to tip for those reasons. I honestly don’t think TO orders are “tip worthy” by themselves. Now if the TO filler goes the extra distance, I will, and have tipped. It’s just not the normal from what I’ve seen. Most times I’m greeted with resentment because I interrupted their conversation with a co-worker by showing up to pick up my food. I’m not going to tip for that.

BTW, I’m laughing at your response to the smilies! That would make me go off the deep end too. But my daughter, who seems to be a lot like “Take out girl”, would love it if customers drew a smiley face on the receipt. That would make her smile. Different strokes for different folks, eh?

By Billy

January 6, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

Another thing to think about here is that restaurants will sometimes run contests on appetizer, dessert, and drink sales. Servers have the potential to get bonuses for these. A friend of mine used to do this all the time where he worked. Someone working at Macy’s might receive a commission or bonus of some sort based on sales numbers. Someone at a to-go counter doesn’t have that opportunity.

And I think I could make the argument that restaurants would be justified in adding a surcharge for to-go orders. I mean, we never get drinks when we pick up dinner somewhere, but we almost always get a coke or tea or something if we dine in the restaurant. Nothing has a higher profit margin than fountain drinks. The restaurant is using its kitchen to cook food for someone who will not sit and buy soft drinks, appetizers, desserts, or alcohol. This slows down the service for others who are dining in, and diners who fill up on $1.99 chips and salsa before their meals aren’t going to buy $5.00 desserts afterward. I dunno. I mean, waiters get only $2.13 from the restaurant and the rest comes directly from their customers. If a to-go person gets $6 from the restaurant and nothing directly from the to-go customers, that means the sit-down customers are subsidizing the to-go customers. Why should we pay for an extra employee to provide an extra service? We’re not talking about a walk-up food cart with patio furniture for the occasional person who wants to eat onsite. We’re talking about a full service restaurant that does the occasional pick-up order.

By Billy

January 6, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

I guess that’s where we’re at odds, here — we’re all coming at this from different angles. I’ll tip a to-go person a dollar, two at most unless the order is unusually large or complex, for friendliness, willingness to please and competence. Basically it’s the same standards I have for a waiter when I sit down to eat. The tips are on a different scale, but I expect the same kind of service. I’m not going to stiff a to-go person that is friendly and competent just because she’s a to-go person and I’m not going to tip a rude, incompetent waiter generously just because he’s a waiter. I don’t equate the difficulty of the two, but neither do I equate the reward. I just feel like a to-go person who goes beyond the minimum should be rewarded.

By Josh

January 6, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this

Here’s the deal… If gratuity was already added to the checks, or servers were paid a regular wage, there would be no incentive for that server to do a good job. Since, in our country, servers/bartenders/to-go people are looking forward to a tip, in most cases, it makes them work to get it. Also, this is a southern question. In most of the rest of the country, people don’t have to ask questions like that. It’s known and done.