how much if anything do you tip when you get take out at a resturant?

Question

If I order from a chinese place or any resturant there is usully a line for a tip and I never know how much to give.

Also, a lot of places that I go to now have tip jars where I wouldn't normally consider tipping. Is it considered rude to not leave a tip?

One person said you should tip when you pick up from a resturant. So I'm slightly confused. Lets say I call a resturant you normally sit down in, like a Fridays, Red Lobster, or Tony Romas and ask to pick up an order. When I go there someone at the bar or someplace puts everything in a bag, and I pay and bring it in my car. Do they need a tip for putting the order together and putting all the sauces and everything in there?

I've gotten a ton or responses here. I just wanted to add one more detail since the last person mentioned having a place for the tip right on the bill.

When I got some places for pickup they have a place for the tip right on the bill. One particularly uncomfortable moment occurs most frequently at a place called Chicken Kitchen, where you can either pickup or eat in.

Basically, there is 1 person who takes your order and gives you side dishes, another person who works at the cashier, and someone else cooking and cutting the chicken that stands right behind the person taking your order and it is a very visible process.

When you go through you get trays, and you can either sit down at the tables or take out. When you pay there is a line on the check for tips, in addition to the tip jar.

I normally put a line through the tip area, but I've noticed the chashier leans over and stares at me do it, which makes me uncomfortable.

Answer 1

There is a local bar with good food (I don't drink) that I go to often enough that they are familiar with me. I often also call and place an order and then go pick it up, when they know it is me they always make sure my order is fast and as I ordered. I have never had cold food or any inaccuracies with my order there, either while dining there or when ordered for pick up. I attribute this to the fact that they know I am a good tipper and I even tip for the fast service for pick up orders even though it is not really the "norm".

Regular patrons that are good tippers are remembered and treated well.

Answer 2

A tip was originally intended as an insurance to get good service while dining out. The customer would hand the maitre'd money when he entered the establishment so that he will get the best table and waiter in the restaurant....the higher the 'tip', the better the table. The Maitre'd would then 'payoff' the waiter and the cook to 'further the insurance'. I don't know when it started being used as an indication of how the service was as to opposed to how the service will be but I think it's wrong. There is a lot more to good service in a restaurant than just good "wait staff". I was a waitress for many years and I was only as good as the team that worked with me. If the 'busboy' couldn't clean the tables fast enough, I couldn't seat my customer fast enough; if the bartender was slow mixing drinks, I was slow bringing them to the table. Likewise, if the cook did not cook the food quickly and efficiently, I could not do my job quickly and efficiently. Although it was not mandatory, I would 'share' my tips with the staff who helped me to make your meal enjoyable for you. So no, I don't think you should have to tip anytime, anywhere, anyhow.....the service is done - why pay for insurance you don't need?

Answer 3

If I get good service in a restaurant that I am actually eating at, of course I tip accordingly. Usually 15%.
But, I am insulted if someone actually expects to be tipped for handing me take out food. For example, (Starbucks). They have a tip jar on the counter! They take your order and tell the person next to them what to make. They then hand it to you, after taking your payment. Where in that process did they do anything to warrant a tip?
I understand that they would like a tip, and I understand that they might expect a tip. But they are behind a counter, they don't do too much. They are already paid to do that much.
If they really need a job that has the benefit of tips, they should consider being an actual server in a restaurant.
Do you tip when you go to Taco Bell, or McDonalds? No! And they actually do more there to help the customer than say Starbucks.
This is, of course, my take on it.

Answer 4

You don't tip for takeout. They put a line on the bill so you can mark in a tip, and often have a tip jar on the counter, but it doesn't mean a thing. They haven't done a personal service for you, which is what tipping is all about. A waiter brings you a menu, takes your order, brings your meal, brings you drinks, cleans up after, and if he's done it well, he deserves a tip. At a takeout, none of that happens. Ergo, no tip. It isn't rude not to leave a tip. In many places, New Zealand for example, there is NO tipping. The US overtips for everything. These people aren't relying on your tips -- they are getting wages. And if they don't think they are being paid enough, they should get together with their union rep and negotiate a new contract.

Answer 5

First off, your age is a concern. Are you sure that you're ready for this? Also, depending on where you live there may be issues of legality. and even more so if he is significantly older. I would advise that you think about these things. I'm not going to deny you advice because I can't stop you from going through with this. Therefore I'd rather you were somewhat armed with information if you're determined to do it anyway. The most important thing is to use protection. You don't want to become pregnant and you don't want to get any sexually transmitted diseases, particularly as your intended partner has a varied sexual history. Don't compromise on this. He either wears a condom or it doesn't happen! It's important that you take things slow because it may be uncomfortable the first time. You need to make sure that it happens in a relaxed setting where you won't be interrupted, so that your nerves are minimised. It is important that that there is foreplay, so that you become sufficiently excited (and hence sufficiently lubricated) for penetration to work. With regards to positions, you may find it easier to be on top so that you are in control of the pace and the depth of penetration.

Answer 6

First of all, that's their job!!! They're supposed to do it correctly, on time etc etc etc.... and they DO get paid for doing that job regardless. If however you feel they're worthy of something extra you should give them what YOU feel they deserve according to how you were treated/served etc.

The whole issue of tipping has become a racket!!! It used to be a way of saying: "Thank you, I appreciate your efforts" or something similar. Most places now have that in place which is standard but the actual work/service isn't anything to write home about, and most people in those positions expect it but don't earn it! They think that simply doing the job warrants "A TIP"..... Wrong!!!

If they've earned it / actually deserve it... 10% to 15% of the bill should suffice. As for "take out".... They've hopefully got your order right and its ready for you when you go there to pick it up, what have they done? Put it in a bag/box for you? The fact that most places charge 100% + for the actual food, the "tip" is already most likely added to you bill anyways. Now if its delivered to you, that warrants something but again its via your own discretion.

Answer 7

It is common NOT to tip for takeouts. If you had to ask for extra something, that is not normally part of the take out deal, or if you had to ask them to help you carry it to your car then you might want to put in a dollar.

Tip is for service. Paying for food and getting food is not service. It's just business. Also, there is no tipped employees involved in the transaction.

For those who didn't know - most wait-staff are "tipped" employees. Those who work under "tipped" categories are payed less than the minimum wage and tip is considered part of the wage. (this is all legal and common). If only the employee don't make enough with their wage + tip, the minimum wage level, then the employer must make up the difference. Usually, if someone is that bad in providing service, that person should really not be in the business.

Answer 8

When you actually go into a restaurant and eat there you should tip about 15% or (in California) double the amount of the tax and leave that as the tip. If you are picking up a "to go" order that you called in, there is no need to leave a tip. If you are in a place and there is a tip jar at the cash register, it's up to you whether or not to leave a tip. Sometimes I leave my change (coins) and sometimes I don't. It just depends on my mood.

Answer 9

I NEVER tip in the jars. Many waitresses told me that the restaurant keeps part of the proceeds and divides the rest among the employees. I will tip a waitperson a minimum of 15 and up to 100% depending on the quality of service. I do not tip for takeout.

Answer 10

The tip, or "gratuity" is for gratitude, for someone running back and forth filling up your glass, bringing you more butter, etc. I always start at 20% and go up or down from there, depending on the service.

I don't tip for tip jars unless the person behind the counter made my wait pleasant and I did't feel like I was waiting for a half an hour.


Rebecca

Answer 11

You don't have to tip when you are getting take out. Usually tips are for people who bring your food to you at a table and bring you drinks. Also, some of these places have put in tip jars and they have the "kids" do some silly things for people putting tips in the jar. At Cold Stone Creamery they will sing if you give them a tip. The tips in the jar are divided among all that worked that day and shared.