Are you supposed to tip when you go pick up your Chinese take out order?

[her209]

I don't tip and I feel bad about it but I'm wondering if I'm supposed to. They didn't really do anything for me besides handing me my order which I phoned in. Does that really deserve a tip? But then again, the waitress doesn't cook the food either when I eat in, just take my order, give me drinks and my food.

Thoughts?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I only tip when I am at a place that both takes my order, brings it, etc etc.

 

[Red Storm]

I don't tip on pickup. Only for deliveries or when eating at the place and a waiter serves you your drinks and food and takes care of anything else.

 

[gorcorps]

I don't

Same if I pick up a pizza instead of having it delivered.

 

[alkemyst]

If you don't understand the difference between being handed a box / bag of food at a counter vs someone waiting on you with multiple trips and attention....then I don't know what to tell you.

Tipping at the counter is totally optional. Many times they are making a decent wage. The only time otherwise is at a few places I go to, they make the waitstaff also man the take out counter/window. I will give a few bucks for that, also if that person is responsible for some of the prep work.

However; totally outside of table service.

 

[Insomniator]

I tip a buck if its a place I go to regularly.

 

[twinrider1]

No f'n way.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

What did the leper say to the hooker? You can keep the tip.

 

[DCal430]

If you don't understand the difference between being handed a box / bag of food at a counter vs someone waiting on you with multiple trips and attention....then I don't know what to tell you.

Tipping at the counter is totally optional. Many times they are making a decent wage. The only time otherwise is at a few places I go to, they make the waitstaff also man the take out counter/window. I will give a few bucks for that, also if that person is responsible for some of the prep work.

However; totally outside of table service.

The people at the counter make the same wage or even LESS than the waitstaff here. There is no reason to not tip them something, when make so little.

 

[T9D]

They don't have a jar at the Chinese restaurant that says "tipping is not just a place in china"?

 

[smackababy]

If it is a place with seats and the person handling my food is a waitress, yes, absolutely. Now, it won't be as much as if I was sitting, but it will be more than nothing.

 

[Legios]

I do not tip for takeout. $1 per pizza for delivery, or $1 for every$10 ordered for chinese delivery are my going rates.

 

[alkemyst]

I do not tip for takeout. $1 per pizza for delivery, or $1 for every$10 ordered for chinese delivery are my going rates.

That's cheap...

 

[Insomniator]

That's cheap...

haha seriously... a dollar for pizza delivery? I tip basically 3 dollars + the change when i get anything delivered.

Though places the have a delivery charge and specifically say its not part of the tip really bug me. I'm not going to pay 2 bucks charge + 3 dollars tip... I'll go somewhere else or just pick up the food.

 

[slag]

The people at the counter make the same wage or even LESS than the waitstaff here. There is no reason to not tip them something, when make so little.

The reason is that they have added nothing to your experience. You aren't dining there, they don't fill your water or bring you stuff, you pick it up at the counter and leave.

I'm with the no tip crowd.

 

[smackababy]

haha seriously... a dollar for pizza delivery?

I tip less on pizza delivery than places without a delivery charge. That charge is to help them offset the costs of driving around (along with the pittance for mileage I'm sure places like Papa Johns pays). If a place has free delivery, list most small Mom and Pop places, I generally tip more.

 

[DCal430]

The reason is that they have added nothing to your experience. You aren't dining there, they don't fill your water or bring you stuff, you pick it up at the counter and leave.

I'm with the no tip crowd.

They are providing a service by handing you the food, and they deserve a decent wage. Also they can spit in your food next time

 

[UncleWai]

If it is a young waitress and you expect a happy ending from her, sure why not.

 

[alkemyst]

haha seriously... a dollar for pizza delivery? I tip basically 3 dollars + the change when i get anything delivered.

Though places the have a delivery charge and specifically say its not part of the tip really bug me. I'm not going to pay 2 bucks charge + 3 dollars tip... I'll go somewhere else or just pick up the food.

Back in 1990, the chinese place I worked for was next to Dominoes. Our orders would roughly be the same (about $20 in chinese food or $20 in pizza for the average order, with the pizza being slightly below $20 and the chinese slightly above).

The pizza guys took about 2-3x the deliveries and only got rounded up changed ($19.25 would get them $20, $20.75 would get them $21). People said "it's just pizza".

Meanwhile we averaged $2/order. We'd cash out like $100 in tips many nights and start later and get off earlier, many pizza guys got $50 at best and worked past midnight.

I usually give about $10 for 4 pizzas....they fight to get that delivery. I spoke to a few of the guys and it's the same way today...a lot of people think 'it's only pizza' and just give a buck at best plus everyone wants to yell at the driver about the delivery charge.

 

[alkemyst]

I tip less on pizza delivery than places without a delivery charge. That charge is to help them offset the costs of driving around (along with the pittance for mileage I'm sure places like Papa Johns pays). If a place has free delivery, list most small Mom and Pop places, I generally tip more.

The problem is you like many are setting a flat rate you are willing to pay for a meal and don't want to adjust yourself to meet when the food costs are higher or there is a separate service charge.

 

[slag]

They are providing a service by handing you the food, and they deserve a decent wage. Also they can spit in your food next time

:whiste:

Really? Putting a knotted walmart style bag on the counter and mumbling the pidgeon english total to me is providing a service? That's not a service. That's giving me something I've ordered. There's a difference.

I don't set their wages either so what they deserve is not up to me.

EDIT:
To clarify, a service would be asking me if I wanted extra soy sauce or terryaki sauce or some good chop sticks or some mints to go in the bag or holding the door open for me or something like that. They need to add value to the experience and none was added.

 

[DCal430]

:whiste:

Really? Putting a knotted walmart style bag on the counter and mumbling the pidgeon english total to me is providing a service? That's not a service. That's giving me something I've ordered. There's a difference.

I don't set their wages either so what they deserve is not up to me.

EDIT:
To clarify, a service would be asking me if I wanted extra soy sauce or terryaki sauce or some good chop sticks or some mints to go in the bag or holding the door open for me or something like that. They need to add value to the experience and none was added.

Where I go the person usually personally brings me my takeout item. I usallu sit at a empty table and wait. Often they will also ask if I want water as I sit and wait.

 

[Leyawiin]

I only tip when I am at a place that both takes my order, brings it, etc etc.

This is my rule of thumb. Taquerias with the tip jar on the counter by the register aren't going to get anything from me.

 

[smackababy]

The problem is you like many are setting a flat rate you are willing to pay for a meal and don't want to adjust yourself to meet when the food costs are higher or there is a separate service charge.

Wat? I said nothing of the manner. I said I tip less when a delivery fee is included and made a quip concerning Papa John being a terrible company. In situations where a delivery fee is included, the amount I will tip will be less, as that fee is going to the deliverer. If no such fee is present, I am likely to give the poor chap a few extra dollars for his troubles.

How you've come to the idea that has anything to do with setting a flat rate I am willing to pay is beyond my comprehension.

 

[lozina]

A tip is supposed to be compensation for service above and beyond what is originally purchased. What service do they add when you do all the work to drive over there and pickup a bag of food and then leave?