There is a tip line on the reciept, am I obliged to give one like I am to a waitress who serves me throughout the meal? Not that I shouldn't do it to be nice, I want to know if it's the INDUSTRY STANDARD (like the way that a 15-20% of your pre-tax bill is the standard tip for servers at a sit down meal). Are those who handle carryout paid minimum wage, unlike the servers? I am not sure what handing me a bag and collecting my money should be worth, if anything, since it is pretty simple.
I also wonder if tipping is expected at a buffet if the only service provided is refilling water?
Are industry standards for tipping actually listed anywhere that we could find? I know that the NY Times wrote an article a few years ago where they pretty much said that EVERYONE should be tipped, from the dry cleaner, to the FedEx man, to the guy at the drive-thru. That might be standard in NYC, but it isn't expected anywhere else I believe.
2007-05-05 15:19:00 · 14 answers · asked by sunni 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
So I see that there are differing opinions about tipping at a buffet, which means there is no industry standard about that, unlike the 15-20% standard for sit-down service. I can appreciate why a below-minimum-wage server would be resentful of having to work carry-out at all. Shouldn't it then be the responsibility of the restaurant owner to pay extra to the carry-out worker since a tip is not to be EXPECTED with the minimum requirements of that job, unlike with sit down service? Other countries do not have a "tipping culture" like ours (China expressly forbids it). There would still be restaurants, just not as many of them I suspect.
2007-05-06 02:46:31 · update #1
Tipping for take-out isn't expected. I worked in a restaurant once waayyy back, and most people who got take-out orders didn't tip, and I was OK with that. It was a pleasant surprise when someone did tip. As far as tipping at a buffet goes, you should tip according to the level of service. Did your server make sure you had clean plates to return to the buffet with? Did they refill your drink? Usually most people tip at a buffet, but at a lower rate (say 10%) than at a normal restaurant.
2007-05-05 15:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by helloeveryone 3 · 28⤊ 6⤋
Not really sure what the standards are on tipping. I tip all wait persons and delivery people. I am not sure about when you get carry out unless the person was really efficient. However, when you go to a buffet - depending on the buffet - you leave a tip because you still have the busboys and even if it is only refilling the water glass someone is still serving you. Basically, you tip any one who is performing a service for you - and I know there are people who say why should you tip someone for doing their job...you are not tipping them for doing their job, rather you are tipping them for going above the expected level of service. So back to your original question - if the carryout service was quick and efficient or you had a really cute cashier (lol) I would say tip - what would it hurt!
2007-05-05 15:36:44 · answer #2 · answered by tru.psycho 1 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I do. I worked in a restaurant after college and know how much work is involved--even with take out. Someone had to make the food. Someone had to package it. Someone had to take your order and make sure it got to the cook. I may not tip at the same percentage as I would if I had a table in the restaurant but I still do tip.
2016-04-01 10:12:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I waitressed for many years and I don't think tipping really expected for take out, but it is a nice gesture. Sometimes if I can see that the waitress is busy and she stops to take care of my take out order I will tip 10% or a couple of dollars.
I would tip at a buffet because in most places the waitresses have to bus the tables and keep the food trays filled.
2007-05-05 15:29:15 · answer #4 · answered by SaraB 3 · 10⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes I tip when it's carryout and I always tip when I sit down. Depends on how nice the person is too. It is not necessary though if you are just picking up your meal to go but it would be nice because that's where they make most of their money from tips.
2007-05-05 15:24:22 · answer #5 · answered by QT Like Mee 3 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I would never tip for carry out. I would tip at a buffet since someone has to clean the table after I leave. Once a shoe salesman "asked" for a tip. Can you believe it?!
(No I didn't tip him)
2007-05-05 15:29:00 · answer #6 · answered by cgminime 4 · 15⤊ 5⤋
I guess I would ask, do you tip at McDonalds, or Starbucks or when you get gas and buy a bottle of water?? If I order delivery, then yes I would tip, but for someone to take my order over the phone and have the kitchen staff bag it for pick up..NO WAY! If I am dining in then yes, I am being waited on. I never tip for carry out.
2007-05-05 15:29:42 · answer #7 · answered by raven 2 · 15⤊ 7⤋
I tip folks for food delivered to my home only, I do not tip if I am standing in the restaurant and say I want that order to go...
My FEDEX man and UPS man do not stay around long enough for a tip, they all deliver packages to my house and leave...
Self serve restaurants I do not tip, if you serve yourself in a buffet line there is no reason to tip...
2007-05-05 15:41:32 · answer #8 · answered by aspenkdp2003 7 · 7⤊ 10⤋
Tentofie.. you're answer is a little bit ill-informed. The purpose of a waiter at a restaurant is that they determine how much they bring home. They are PURPOSELY paid 2.13/hr because they are basically pushing the restaurant's food and get paid a commission. Restaurants operate different than a normal business, and to actually pay servers an hourly wage would most likely bankrupt the business. Tipping is a necessity in several professions, and truthfully waiters being paid all the same amount would not give them the damn incentive for actually being good at what they do. You would get a bunch of snotty kids getting paid 15.00/hr. (Because that's about the equivalent of what a good waiter makes per night. Oh and yes, it is generally because they have a good personality and do their job well, so if you have an argument about how they're overpaid then you can flush it) and they would not give a rat's *** what your experience was like. So think twice before stiffing your friendly neighborhood waiter, because you never know what kind of service you might get.
Oh, and to answer the original question about to-go tipping... I'm just about as up in the air about it.
2007-05-05 22:45:22 · answer #9 · answered by Rockyh75 2 · 15⤊ 14⤋
Seems tipping is expected everywhere these days. I'm waiting for the tip jar to appear in the grocery store any day now...
2007-05-05 15:26:15 · answer #10 · answered by Penelope Smith 7 · 21⤊ 7⤋