Do you tip at restaurant when you pick up food to go?

Question

If so, how much?

Answer 1

It is common to tip about 5% when picking food up. It really depends on if there is much service involved. I always tip 10% unless the people are rude or unhelpful, then they don't get anything. I used to be a waitress and also did take out orders, I always appreciated a tip but I never expected one.

Answer 2

If it's a restaurant where I would tip if I sat down to eat I do.

I generally tip 20% when I sit-down. When I pick up carryout (which is rare; food doesn't survive those takeout boxes all that well and who likes to eat mediocre food? Life is too short) I usually tip 15% + round to the next dollar. Having done the job, the person getting the takeout order in a "real" restaurant together is doing a lot more than the person in a fast food restaurant. I realize the average customer doesn't know that, but since I do, I couldn't in good conscience not tip.

I also know that that person isn't providing quite the same level of service for the takeout order as s/he is doing for a table in the dining room so I don't feel the need to always tip the full 20% either, although I definitely have. Either it's a day I'm feeling generous, the server was particularly pleasant, rechecked my order in front of me, made sure I needed nothing else - did things that I believe were "going above and beyond"...

Most likely the person getting your takeout order together is making server minimum wage. S/he relies on tips. That's morally reprehensible on the part of the business owner, because s/he knows tha most customers won't realize that. But, since I know it, I do right by the person doing the job.

Answer 3

Owning a restaurant, I know the work it takes for the servers and kitchen staff to prepare and ready the to go food. It is almost as much work as serving the table (depending on the size of the order).
Tipping is always appreciated because even though it may not seem like it, the server takes time away from the tipping customers in the sit down section to get the to go food ready to take out the door.

Answer 4

Working in the restaurant busniess for 12 years now I guess it all depends. Most places I have worked the waitress or hostess are the ones to get the takeout order ready. And believe me, it's almost more work than if you had to wait on the table. Especially when your already running around with your head cut off. It also depends on what you are ordering and how much.

Answer 5

It is nice to tip if you eat out because that person puts together that food and bags it for you. They also are the ones who make sure you have all the extras like your condiments and utensils. A couple dollars for a $12- $19 meal is good. Maybe $1 or $1.50 for meals less than that. Anyhting over Twenty dollars try to throw in atleast three or four dollars. Next time you order the people remember who tip and who don't! We care about our customers who care about us!

Answer 6

No.. never tip if I go to pick it up...it's about a 50/50 chance I actually get what I ordered when I get home with it... but I do tip at least 15% or better when I go to a resturant... UNLESS the wait(person) is not very good... even then I usually will leave a small tip.... (don't know why I do that)...

Answer 7

I work at a restaurant also, and I see how much time it takes to handle the to-go orders, especially considering they are doing about 10 at a time. Most of the to-go people pack the food, make the salads, get the dressings, get silverware, ring the order, yadayada, but then they also make at least minimum wage, while servers make less. If I were doing to-go orders I would probably appreciate at least $2, $5 or more would make me love you forever!

Answer 8

yes...i work at a restaurant...and i don't think people realize that most people that waiter or waitress only get paid 2.13 an hour...not to mention that someone had to take the time to put together your order after taking it...while they had like 10 other tables...i would pay about 10% as a tip, inside, 20%...as for the mcdonald's comment, most restaurants are a little more upscale than a mcdonald's. If you think about it, if you don't tip, they are practically putting your order together for nothing which is not fair to someone trying to pay their way through college.

Answer 9

Just the same as if I went inside to eat, 15-20%.
Because a server with tables in the dining room is probably the person who put your order together and ensured that everything was there, taking time away from dine-in customers.
Besides I figure that if I didn't have to shop for or prepare the meal a few extra bucks isn't gonna kill me, ya know ?

Answer 10

i guess it depends where you go. if its a sit down place that also does to-go, I would. but if its like a dominos or something I wouldn't. Usually I let them keep the change(assuming its not too much)
Where I work we have the curbside to go, where we bring the food right out to your car. We get pissed when people don't tip anything, especially when its freezing cold or raining.