should you tip on take out orders?

Question

Hi everyone. I am a college student and i practictly survive on take out food. My question is, are you suppose to tip when picking up an order to go? I can never figure this out. Some places have a tip jar just so you dont forget to leave a tip. Sometime those waiters get mad if you dont leave a few bucks. Are we suppose to tip on to go orders?

Answer 1

Tipping for picking up takeout? The cook never sees the money, and the person who answered the phone and handed you the bag spent all of a minute or two doing that. I say no. I only tip if I'm sitting at a table in the restaurant where a server has to spend part of their time taking care of me and my order, or if there is someone delivering my order to my house. I don't believe in tipping for answering the phone or handing me a bag. I've been a waiter and I still hold this opinion.

Answer 2

I have never tipped when I pick up my food. Technically, I am not being served and food is not brought to me. I just give the exact amount and leave it at that. I have never had anyone give me glares or anything if I don't tip.

Sometimes, with clients, when we order lunch for them and go pick it up, we usually leave a couple of bucks if its a curbside to go type thing where someone brings the food to your car. And even then, its not all the time. Thats the only scenerio I could think of where you may tip if you'd like.

Answer 3

To me, nothing short of full-service in a restaraunt is really tip-worthy. It seems that almost everywhere you go now, whether it's a self service buffet or stand in a line and order at the register type place, they're all angling for a tip. FOR WHAT? Some buffet places have a separate person to take your drink order and bring it to you...and they won't let you take half a sip without topping it off. A tip jar at a walk-up taco stand...wtf? A tip is to show appreciation for SERVICE...not adeptness at making change at the drive-thru.

Answer 4

i only tip on take out if its a restaraunt i frequent regularly and the staff treats me well. otherwise i leave nothing because its not like they are really waiting on me. im just paying the cashier for an order.

Answer 5

Completely agree with the first answer. You have to judge it on the place. If the person behing the counter has taken your order and given you cups for drinks (or knew exactly what you wanted as soon as you walked in) etc then you should leave a buck or two. If they are simply passing on an order you gave over the phone and somebody else cooked then no they did nothing to merit a tip.

Answer 6

NO
You and I have no reason or responsibility to TIP..
unless you have so much money ..) _-but then why a fast food)
Unless somehow you have been treated in what you believe is a special manner. like the YL who sat down next to my bro to take our order.. casual cool friendly
what a joy...

Answer 7

Not sure, but I never do nor does any of the restaurants that I go to for take out have a tip jar, however now that I think about it I think that I will start because waiters/waitresses don't make much money and they are still bringing you your food. So I guess that a small tip would be appreciated.

Answer 8

As I understand it, yes, you are. The person bringing the order to you is taking time from other restaurant chores to bring you your food, so a tip is a nice gesture. And if there's a tip jar, then it's definitely expected of you.

I usually don't tip them more than a couple of dollars because they aren't actually waiting on you and doing a lot of hard work. But it's still nice to give them something for bringing you your food.

Answer 9

I never tip on take away. I feel if I have gotten service that was superior, I might consider it. Otherwise, no.

Answer 10

It's always nice to stick a buck or two in the tip jar...especially if you order from the same place often! I wouldn't want to piss off the people preparing my food!