So you are picking up food from a place you would tip if you eat in. Do you tip for call ahead carry out? If so, do you tip less or the same?
Depends on where I am picking up from and how I am paying. If there is a tip jar and there is a couple bucks left from paying cash I will usually throw it in. Definitely do not tip like I would to sit down and eat.
A lot of places that you would eat in, a server has to pack the food. So not leaving any tip is pretty stingy.
So, how do you decide if you should tip or not? I'm assuming nobody here would leave a tip if picking up food at a McDonalds or Taco Bell?
I never do and never even thought about it until I got told off 2nd hand by the owner. I figured they'd prefer us taking out, I'm paying full price for the food without taking up a table, not eating a bunch of their bread, not having our water glasses refill and they don't have to wash the dishes we use. It was one of our favorite ' High end " restaurants but because the owner told a mutual friend that he would spit in our food the next time we've never been back. We'd had spent a lot of money with him in the past as well with BS wine auctions he put on and everything. I never thought about the waiter boxing the food. I figured the cook just put it in a box rather than a plate. It is BS that in America they pay waiter less so they have to depend on tip to make fair wage. I think they shame to much tipping out of us as it is. I never leave a tip or my change in the tip jar at Dunkin Donutz for a cup of over priced Coffee bean residue and city water. Last time I took in my change jar it was over $1,200
I'll tell the story. I usually do about the same as Tom posted above but had no set standard. I picked up lunch from a local Pub. My bill was $9 and I handed here a $20. I got a $5 and 6-Ones. I thought that was interesting way to suggest someone should tip. Almost strip club style.
Also the proper way... I always wanna scream when in a situation where I know I need / want to tip and the server hands me back all large bills...
Here is a good one.... I don't hardly EVER find myself in a taxi. Not long ago I had to take one, I get to my destination and the fare is something like $22 or $23. I hand the driver two $20 bills as that is the smallest bills I had. He takes the money and hops out to grab my bags from the trunk.... I was like WTH. So I ask him for my change to which he replies, "Well most people tip" to which I replied how about you give me my change and I will decide how much to tip instead of you deciding for me. REALLY?!?!?!?!
How many times do you reckon that has worked for the guy in the past? Making people ask for money back I would think would be effective way to maximize tips as a lot of people will probably just shrug their shoulders and keep quiet.
Ya, well I'm not most people. But you are right I am sure many folks would've just rolled with it. I however wanted to hit the dude. Then he handed me a card and said if I needed a return ride to the airport to call him and he would give me a discount lol I handed it back to him.
I guess the lady at the local gas station thinks the same (or just can't count) Twice in the last month I have gone in for a can of Cope, hand her a $20 and only been handed back $7????? Then she acts like I'm crazy when I ask for my $10 lol Sorry I am derailing your thread Brad... back on track take out I am in the jar on the counter gets a buck or two crowd. Other than that no.
If you are leaving zero tip, think about this. In most places, the tips are split with everyone that had anything to do with your meal. The cooks, the waitress, the busboy, the hostess, the dishwasher, etc., etc.,.... So, if you don't tip anything, the person that answered the phone, the cooks, the person that boxed the takeout (to go packaging is not free), the person that sweeps the floor, the cashier, and on and on all got stiffed. Still seem fair? Sitting down at a table is just a small piece of the puzzle.