Tipping on Take Out Food

So many people feel either obligated or appear forced to leave tips here, there, & everywhere that it makes you wonder who can think for themselves and who can't. Most people don't tip for the service--they tip because they believe it's customary and/or mandatory, and if they don't do it they can't fathom the evil stares or ponder the possibility of dreadful words directed their way. These are very insecure people with low self-confidence levels and an inability to live their lives their way.

I was reading another forum this morning about tipping MOVERS. WTF?? I've been moved a dozen times both in this country and overseas, I've never had to lift a finger to pack or carry, and I've never even thought of tipping them. My company purchased a service, it was performed, any issues got worked out, end of story. I've also stayed in hotel rooms over half my life, and I've never left a thing. What would possess someone to believe they just have to leave cleaning people some money? I tip bartenders, cocktail waitresses, and esp. restaurant servers very well; I tip valets, taxi & limo drivers, bell hops and in special service request situations all the time--and all because I want to if the service was decent or exceptional. But I don't tip on cruise ships, I don't tip at casinos, I don't tip at take out of any kind, and I most certainly would never tip a casino host. It is not a customer's concern to think about, worry about, be concerned about, or supplement a service worker's wages because we don't think they get paid enough. That is, in and of itself, the weakest argument for leaving a tip that I have ever heard.

I figure you're gonna pay for it through higher prices if they drop the tipping or welfare payments to underpaid workers if you stiff, so I'd rather cough up the buck. I cook dinner for my family most nights anyway.

The last time I was in Vegas, I put out a bet for the dealer and it lost, and he still said he wished he could hand me a stack of the $500s, then he pretended to hand me the cash another player put on the felt to buy in, then offered to comp me a massage, all for a lousy 5 buck tip that LOST. Now that's cheap goodwill. I go twice a year, play table minimums and penny slots, and always get an upgrade, once to a residential suite. I bet my tipping gets noted when the pit boss enters my card. My play certainly doesn't rate what I get in return.

Quote: RobSinger

So many people feel either obligated or appear forced to leave tips here, there, & everywhere that it makes you wonder who can think for themselves and who can't. Most people don't tip for the service--they tip because they believe it's customary and/or mandatory, and if they don't do it they can't fathom the evil stares or ponder the possibility of dreadful words directed their way. These are very insecure people with low self-confidence levels and an inability to live their lives their way.

I dunno, Rob. I don't think I should argue that you should leave a tip, and I don't think you should argue that I shouldn't. We should each do what satisfies us, and enjoy the day. Your motivations and my motivations are our own and need not be justified.

Quote: Wizard

As I recall, I paid with a $100 bill, and after getting my change I said "thank you." Dead silence. I looked at the cashier, a pretty girl of about 20, and got the "are you kidding me?" face. I still didn't tip, but left feeling like a jerk.

There was a jerk in that transaction, but it wasn't you. It is THEIR job to serve YOU, not the other way around.

I run into the issue of needing to break $100s often myself. The self checkout machines at grocery stores usually take $100s, and with no whiny, self-absorbed adolescents to deal with.

Quote: FarFromVegas

I was just looking at a chart on a state-by-state tipped employee minimum wage, and some states actually do pay their tipped employees the real minimum and not the offset minimum. I guess I was lucky they even gave me the $2.13 in Virginia. South Carolina can get away with 0. Kansas gives $1.59.

Federal law overrides state law if the federal law mandates a higher wage. So it's at least $2.13 for everyone.

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm

Quote: AZDuffman

On this subject, how do you all feel about tipping at casino buffets? You get your own food but they get you your drinks. The wait staff is only doing 1/3 the work or less. Sholuld they still expect 15%

They may not be bringing me food, but they can still affect my dining experience based on how often they check on me. Usually I'm taking advantage of a comp, so I tip 15-20% based on the retail price, which works out to $2-3. This is also my rule at hotel breakfast buffets which I'm not separately paying for.

Quote: Dween

What about Sonic Drive-In?

Yes! I've always wondered about this. The last time I was there, I asked the carhop whether the boss counts the tips as part of their wages. She said yes, so I tipped her $4-5. I feel bad for them, having to wear those roller skates all day. I figure that should cover me for a while. By the way, I haven't been back since since I have been on a health kick, and their food pretty much sucks.

Next mission: the hair salon. Do you think hairdressers' tips are counted in their wage?

Quote: 7outlineaway

Federal law overrides state law if the federal law mandates a higher wage. So it's at least $2.13 for everyone.

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm

That's true! But in all cases, the states that have their own mimimum wage laws set their state m.w. higher than the federal m.w. So those workers who are getting $2.13 are getting shorted if the state m.w. is higher. By the way, the federal minimum for tipped employees should be $3.68 (50% of the current federal m.w of $7.25). The $2.13 is a holdover from when the m.w. was $4.25 and they've never updated it.

Quote: teddys

Yes! I've always wondered about this. The last time I was there, I asked the carhop whether the boss counts the tips as part of their wages. She said yes, so I tipped her $4-5. I feel bad for them, having to wear those roller skates all day. I figure that should cover me for a while. By the way, I haven't been back since since I have been on a health kick, and their food pretty much sucks.

Next mission: the hair salon. Do you think hairdressers' tips are counted in their wage?

In Canada, for tax purposes, yes.

I tip my hairdresser as she does a great job for far less than I think it's worth. Thus she gets paid what i think the hair cut is worth, not what the salon charges.

Quote: teddys

Next mission: the hair salon. Do you think hairdressers' tips are counted in their wage?

I don't know, but I tip my barber about 25%. I value a good haircut well above the retail price. And whenever I call for an appointment, he's always able to fit me in.

In the case of barbers (or whetever they're called) that own or jointly own the shop, I would assume they're on 1099 or Schedule C income, rather than W-2 income.