Are you supposed to tip the person at the take out counter?

Question

i ordered take out last night and i paid with a credit card. when the reciept printed, the person at the take out counter pointed out my total, the line designated for the tip, and then where i was supposed to sign. I didn't tip the dude because i technically made a purchase. There was no actual "service" provided. Was i wrong?

Answer 1

I already know no one is going to agree with me, but here's the deal - I have worked for a restaurant in the Take Out section, and trust me - we work hard for you. Not only to customers not take us seriously, but the cooks generally don't either and think that our orders can wait until the people sitting in get their food. Which kind of defeats the purpose of take out anyways. So just in *my own* experience, sometimes I really have to fight to get your food out & MADE RIGHT. Isn't that the job of the cooks? Yeah, but guess what - you're taking your food home, so if isn't right then are you really going to "send it back"? No. And we're the ones who answer the phones and get yelled at over it. Yes it is also our job to make sure your order is correct, but when it's busy sometimes things are forgotten or slip by.

Anyways, I don't think you should feel guilty about not tipping, it's not something that is expected in take out, but it is greatly appreciated because we actually do work very hard for You.

Oh, and for that guy to point out the tip line - that's tacky. I never do that, but our credit card receipts automatically print out a tip line, so just don't put anything there - no biggie.

Answer 2

First of all... There was a service provided. The person took your call, got the order right, communicated to the kitchen, made sure it was all done on time, and packed it up for you. Part of their job? Yes.

Should you feel guilty that you didn't leave a tip? no.

However... There is no reason you should tip your pizza delivery guy and not your fast food person. A tip is voluntary, but it is a token of appreciation. Just like sending thank you notes. If they did a good job and everything is hot and ready just when you pick it up, it is nice to leave a little something.

As far as the guy handing you the receipt and pointing out the tip line, that's just tacky.

Answer 3

I think tipping the person at the take out counter is a great idea, especially if it is the bartender or the hostess. These people usually are the ones to take the order and put it in, they are also the ones who bag it for you and make sure that it is correct. You don't need to give them 20%, like you should a server, but a buck or two is nice...and if the order is large tip a little more...if you go back they will remember you and you just might get an extra something...they may even make sure your order is done quicker!

It's just a nice gesture...trust me those hostesses don't make a lot of money!

Blessed Be!

Answer 4

I'm not 100% sure of what you are 'supposed' to do, but I do tend to tip, especially if it is a place I usually go to. I do not tip as much as I would had I actually sat down, but I like to include something.

There is one particular location that is always fast, even though they make my food right when I order it (except the rice I guess). But the service while always great, has gotten even better. The cashier/waitress (also a sit down restaurant) makes sure that I don't have to ask for things I always want anyway. Usually chopsticks instead of a fork, different sauce, extra napkins, that kind of thing.

Answer 5

Tips are generally not expected at a take out counter like they are at a table. While most restaurant servers would welcome them, you shouldn't tip unless you feel for some reason that you want to tip.

As far as the receipt, the restaurant's system is probably set up to print a tip line on all credit card receipts. However, this does not mean you are expected to tip for your take-out.

Answer 6

It's considered common courtesy because it's part of the service industry and the counter person is providing a customer service.
Service people work very hard no matter where their "station" is; they have to keep a clean environment that we expect even when we are ordering take out food.
Also, many of them are dependent on extra gratuities to supplement low wages in the food service industry. They have rent and bills to pay too. It could be our son or daughter (or spouse) working that take out counter!

Answer 7

no, you were not wrong. no one deserves a tip unless the work was above and beyond what they were paid to to.

Customarily, people will tip those who do nothing special at all and were are given a guilt complex unless we give in to throw money at them.

What many people do not know is that it is possible to earn lots more as a waiter than a scientist. I just know this for a fact, I won't provide all the details. Even in Oregon where a minimum wage is paid to waiters, they can get $15+ in tips making their wages at least $23/hour. Many are lucky to have a job paying $10/hour. should you, if making less than these workers purposely try to get them richer, just because they happened to choose their particular hardly skilled occupation? I THINK NOT!

Even where the minimum wage for waiters is less then the ordinary minimum wage for most other jobs, say at $2 or so an hour, the tips garnished often are greater than $20/hour. Again, many people would be lucky to get $20 with a college education these days, especially in area congested with many foreigners.

As an inventing scientist, I have been trying for jobs paying at $15 to $20.hour, and I am thinking, WHY AM I DOING THIS?? I could be making $25/hr waiting tables! IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!

I PREFER NOT PAYING A TIP AT ALL. THE SERVICE BETTER BE SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY,...

ELSE I SAY TO THE WAITERS "YOU CHOSE THE JOB AT WHATEVER WAGE YOU KNEW ABOUT BEFOREHAND...IS IT MY JOB TO MAKE CERTAIN YOU GET EXTRA MONEY FROM ME THAT YOUR EMPLOYER IS NOT WILLING TO PAY YOU?????????

IS IT??????

Answer 8

I think they were rude for implying that you owed them a tip. I once read that The Emily Post Institute said that counter service does not require sufficient service to merit a tip. Don't worry about it and don't let them guilt you into it. If people continue to be guilted into it then it will first become common, then expected.

Answer 9

I'm not going to start tipping fast food counter workers. Soon we'll be asked to tip the cashier at the super market.

Answer 10

I feel that if your at a take out counter it is up to you, if I have a nice person and got exactly how I wanted it then I do tip at least a dollar for take out. Only if it is correct and the person was nice and helpful.