I have a question about tipping at restaraunts?

Question

A lot of restaraunts have tips jars at the counter so that when people pick up their order to go, they can still leave a tip. Some of them even have signs saying something like "To go tips are appreciated." I have always thought that when you tip in a restaraunt, you are tipping for the service, not the food. So when you pick up an order to go, is it rude not to tip since they haven't really waited on you?

I'm not really refering to fast food restauraunts. I was thinking more like Chinese, pizza, Applebee's, etc.

Answer 1

It is usually customary to tip at least one dollar. Most of those employees make minimum wage or server wages (average of $2.30 - $3.50 per hour) and rely solely on tips. In most situations they are doing several jobs at once (bartending, serving tbls, and taking/serving to-go orders). And regardless of how many customers or tables they have, they have to treat your order the same way as if you were seated in the restaurant. They're responsible for putting your order in, checking to make sure your order is correct, then getting it from the kitchen, bagging it, making sure you have napkins, utencils, condiments & your drinks. Then tender the ticket and keep up with whatever else they have going on while tending to you as well. However, I do believe there are some places that I consider exceptions. For example, any place that doesn't actually have table-side service or a bar full of customers (usually sports bars), I don't normally tip unless I've placed a huge order or have been unbelievably picky about what I've ordered.

Answer 2

You are right, you tip for getting service when you sit down and eat in a restaurant, not at the drive thru or to pick up your order. Also, if your service in the restaurant is less than desirable, don't leave a tip,or leave very little of a tip. I worked in restaurants for several years and have seen really lousy waitresses, then they complained about the tips they got. A good waitress/waiter knows that the service they provide is what determines the tip. If you get a really good wait person, be generous, they'll remember you next time.

Answer 3

From personal experience tips are greatly appreciated because I worked in a restaurant and we all made very low salary (min wage, 5.25) and we depended on tips. I only received tips from to-go orders, I was not a server. Until I worked there I never thought you should tip for fast to go food, but working in food service really opens your eyes. For example at McD'd or Bk or whatever never ever pull up to the drive thru speaker until you know exactly what you want and have your money out because the employees are timed 90 seconds from the very moment you start talking until everything is ready and they keep track of this on computers and we get reemed out by the district manager, even though most times are bad because customers take to long to order or they don't have their money ready

Answer 4

At some restaurants, the waiter/waitress does not get to keep the tip they just put it into a jar and at the end of the shift they all split it up even with the cooks. So with that said, maybe the restaurants that have the jar at the register for the to go food is asking for the tips for the cooks.

Answer 5

Well, there is still some "service" involved in that they take your order, make sure everything is right with your order, and get any extras you might need (dressings, ketchup, etc.) I would leave a tip, but probably less than I usually tip (I usually leave 15 to 20 percent). So in this instance, I would only tip 10 percent.

Answer 6

i have done it before, but I think it is tacky. For one thing in a very small restaurant tips are shared. I do not like that either. If I go to a restaurant and know that tips are shared I will personally go to the waitress and give her the tip. I frequent this restaurant often and I request the waitress that I want. It is amazing the difference in service if you are a regular and a high tipper.

Answer 7

I was a waitress for a while. I always appreciated a tip from to-go orders, but did not always expect them. I'm the one who took your order when you called and wrote it down, bagged the order for you and made sure that everything was correct, and I rang the order up when you got there. The cook cooked the meal but did nothing else and you did not wait on yourself or ring yourself up.............so........It is not rude to not tip but just remember most waitresses do NOT make over $3.00 an hour, so if people do not tip we do not(the waitresses)make much money that day.

Answer 8

I think when you know a person is working for tips, you should tip. Also, at places like coffee shops and Chinese restaurants, it's nice to occasionally drop a buck in, especially if you frequently go there. You shouldn't feel obligated to drop a tip at places like these, however, once in a while it's nice to do so. It's just common courtesy.

Answer 9

I always tip at places that I actually eat at, not at places where I only order take-out, so, no, I don't think it is rude at all to not tip. I agree; we pay for the service, not the food.

Answer 10

It's not rude at all. It's up to you if you want to or not. Personally I don't tip on an order that I pick up. On the other hand i tip very well when I eat out or have food delivered. Alot of people still don't know that waitresses/waitors do not earn even min. wage,so, they depend on tips to make ends meet.