Tipping the to-go waiter.?

Question

Last weekend I ordered food to go from Chili's. I called them, placed the order, drove myself there, walked inside, paid the exact amount for my food and left. As I left, I heard this punk employee yell to another employee, "No tip!" as if I should have. I realize waiters make less than minimum wage, and I always tip 20% if they do their job. But this kid did not bring me my food, he did not bring me drink refills or ask how I was doing. He waited on me for maybe 3 minutes whereas a normal waiter would wait on me for an hour or more. Is tipping really customary or necessary? I know now that they expect it, but who doesn't these days. Even the register jockeys at ColdStone and Starbucks think they deserve it now.

I'm not looking for someone to agree with me as I really haven't an opinion yet. It was insanely rude that the employee yelled that. I want to know if I was rude for not tipping.

Answer 1

Most of you are just plain idiots. Some girl writes down an order and puts it in a box. They already get paid a wage. THAT'S WHAT THEIR JOB IS! If there's extra special attention paid during SERVICE, then a tip is in order. Just putting food in a box does not deserve a tip - that's what the fricken job is.

And while my heart weeps with pain because a waitress can't get her mocha every day, I don't feel the need to throw money at her to compensate. If she doesn't like it, she can go to college.

Answer 2

It sounds like you honestly were not trying to be rude by not tipping, you just did not understand the process of how things work in this situation. However, the waiter/host should not have been that vocal about it. While it is true that most people do not understand the work that goes into doing to-go service, you seem to just want to understand why you should tip on a to-go order. For those who think that it does not take much effort and that the service is minimal, that is a big misconception. I do not think that is your particular attitude now, but most people in our society have forgotten that up until 20 or so years ago most restaurants did not offer to go service, much less pick up on curbside. Why? It really is a pain and it does take time away from the dine in customers and the cost for to-go containers is higher than the cost of re-usable plates, etc. And though it does not seem as if these guys are doing much as far as service is concerned, they really are. You just are not there to see it. As far as the Starbucks issue goes, you have to remember these guys do not just get the coffe and ring you up. They also have to keep the place clean, clean the expresso machine(which btw is a pain in the a**) , and make sure the service is fast and courteous so that you can get one with your busy day.
I hope this helps . And again, the waiter was out of line by making the comment to where you could hear it. Remember,though, this is a convenience, not a necessity.

Answer 3

I happen to work that station at Chili's and usually the scenario isn't quite like the one you described. The to-go waiter brings the food to the car, in most situations, and that part is often unknown to the guest because either the to-go waiter fails to ask the customer if they're familiar with to-go, or if the person neglects to ask. It may vary by restaurant, but at least in our case that's how it goes. As far as tipping, we do make low wages, but higher than normal servers. On a typical night we might average out to make 6-7 dollars an hour, but unfortunately tipping the to-go waiter will continuously be debatable.

Answer 4

I think what you want is someone to agree with you. Tipping is very sensitive issue especialy if your talking to people who have worked in the service industry and have to put up with non stop demands, bad attitudes, and horrible management. You may say they don't need to work there, well then who would? someone needs to serve your 4$ coffee. I tip about 10% depending on how much a ordered. if it's just for my self. They have to do extra for togo orders, which they wouldn't have to, it's not waiters that do those. It's the host/hostesses. Here's the thing, you don't want to tip? make your own food, or drive through. That's part of dining. Guarenteed they had a bet going, more than likely you were demanding or did a bunch of mods, so they probably assumed with your attitude you wouldn't be tipping. it's always the most gracious and easy going people that tip the best. Now that i'm not in that industry any more i appreciate the service i get even more. But people who don't like tipping? they don't change. so i'm really not even sure why you asked this question in the first place. There are other forums if you just want to complain.

Answer 5

I think it is always customary to tip anyone dealing with food. Having done it myself, back in the day, I know what type of work goes into doing that job. It might SEEM that he was just sitting there, but he was apart of making sure your order was correct, packaging it correctly (napkins, utensils, etc.), and you have to keep in mind that they also help out the servers when they are too busy to do little things, and the servers don't tip them either. All in all, they're working for the money too, and although it doesn't seem necessary to tip them, it is because they have to live too. Now as far as Starbuck's...let me tell you! I worked there as well (yeah, high school jobs), and although it seems they just hang around the register, THEY DON'T! They do just as much work as the other workers...and at Starbuck's they divide the tips once a week, so when you tip at the register it goes towards EVERYONE. So even if one person gave you crappy service, doesn't mean your not tipping that person, your not tipping everyone. Keep that in mind

Answer 6

I had a similar (not exact) situation happen. I went into the manager's office and told him what happened. He offered a gift certificate. I told him I wanted the punk fired and I was going to call his district manager. Not only did I get a certificate, and I got comped for my food order, but I never saw the punk there again.

No business wants to lose paying customers because some stoned out loser mouths off to customers. If I were you, I would have got the little sh*t fired.

Answer 7

Often the person who takes the order on the phone is the person who put the order together for you - making sure that it's all there, etc. They had to take the time to input the order into the computer and make sure it came out right, then box it up. Depending on the restaurant this person could also be taking time away from waiting on other persons (who are tipping them) to do this. So yes, in most cases a tip should be included.

Answer 8

I think tipping has gotten way out of control. Everyone wants a tip and the experience you had proves that not everyone deserves a tip. That is extremely rude of an employee to yell out within earshot of customers like that. If I had been there and he were my waiter, he would have gotten a penny tip from me, simply because he EXPECTS a tip and has absolutely no manners. This subject really burns me up!........sorry.........

Answer 9

I think 3-5 bucks is appropriate for a to-go order at Chili's. Yes, they did not wait on you at a table, but they did pack your order and hand it to you, and they do not make any more than the other servers do, so they do rely on your tip.

Yes, Starbucks is expensive, but if you can pay four bucks for a cup of coffee you can put a dollar in the jar. They make MINIMUM WAGE, I guarentee you that there is not ONE single server at Starbucks that can afford to pay 4 bucks for a cup of coffee on a regular basis. I can also almost guarentee you the waiter/server could make a lot more money being a drug dealer on the street, so leave a tip to thank them for their service and for being a productive member of society --instead of a drug dealer or a welfare mother.

Answer 10

That employee should be reported. He had no right to yell that out and he should be fired. Contact the manager of that restaurant. You may be able to file a complaint or contact the company on line. I'm sure they don't condone such conduct and alienation of paying customer over a tip. I'm sure that they don't expect their take out customers to tip.

I never tip at CHILI's take out. They don't perform any other service but to check you out.

There are other chains of restaurants that have curb side service. Now for that where they are bringing your food out to the car, I would definitely tip a couple of dollars for that but not if I have to go inside to pay and pick up, forget it.