Tipping on Take Out Food
Normally I am a very generous tipper, and typically tip 18% to 20% at all dine in restaurants that I go to. However, in the case of take out food, I feel that I should not have to tip (or tip as much) because I have no server and I am not taking up any space in the actual establishment.
What do you think is proper? Would it have mattered if I was getting take out from a nice steak restaurant instead of a Pizza Hut? And who gets the tip anyway if you order take out?
Quote: gamblerAnd who gets the tip anyway if you order take out?
You can ask.
In many restaurants waiters share a portion of their tips with the bus boys and the kitchen staff. If that's so at Pizza Hut, then you should tip when picking up take out.
Quote: gamblerWhat do you think is proper? Would it have mattered if I was getting take out from a nice steak restaurant instead of a Pizza Hut? And who gets the tip anyway if you order take out?
The European ("European", as in, "worst possible") way to handle this is to simply automatically add on a service charge once your butt settles into a chair. I've noticed that many sit-down restaurants in Europe have a take-out counter or window where you can order the same exact food, but not get socked with that service charge. That would seem to indicate that the service charge--what we would call a tip--is for actual SERVICE. I don't think being handed a stack of pizzas qualifies in that regard.
So there's no OBLIGATION to tip--but if the pizza slingers went above and beyond the call of duty in some way, then a small tip might be appropriate.
I see the point, but then tipping should be restricted to people who actually perform a service and the quality of that service can vary substantially. A restaurant waiter or a casino dealer definitely can make or break my visit, hence the tipping. A supermarket cashier can't (apart from going out of his way to disservice me, but the point is reward for good service), hence no tipping. Takeout food is definitely closer to the latter.
In the case of takeout food, you can also present the point that you are actually only using the services of the kitchen, rather than full establishment services, so it's natural for the price to be different. Even if not reflected instantly, if a measurable percentage of the customers takes food out, the establishment can employ slightly less personnel and have slightly less floor space.
Quote: P90Tipping is an archaic tradition, back from the day when the servers would be in a different social class than the person being served (and not with 2:1, but 10:1 or more income ratios). The reason it still persists is very different from the original reason, and now it's being justified as you being able to pay more or less depending on service quality, promoting good service. I see the point, but then tipping should be restricted to people who actually perform a service and the quality of that service can vary substantially.
A restaurant waiter or a casino dealer definitely can make or break my visit, hence the tipping. A supermarket cashier can't (apart from going out of his way to disservice me, but the point is reward for good service), hence no tipping. Takeout food is definitely closer to the latter.
As discussed at length in other threads, the culture of tipping enables the business owner to underpay his employees by shifting part of the burden of compensating those employees onto the customer. My dividing line is whether the employee is working with or without the expectation of being tipped.
I totally agree that it's an outmoded and obsolete tradition. It's also stupid and degrading. But then, we don't stop doing something as a society just because it's outmoded, obsolete, stupid, and degrading--we need a BETTER reason than those to quit.
Quote: mkl654321I totally agree that it's an outmoded and obsolete tradition. It's also stupid and degrading. But then, we don't stop doing something as a society just because it's outmoded, obsolete, stupid, and degrading--we need a BETTER reason than those to quit.
I think we don't. If people stop tipping, employees will stop working for their sub-sustenance wages and go work elsewhere (or die from starvation). Then pizza huts will either cease to exist or shift the burden of paying back on themselves.
It's really just down to whether you want tipping in this specific field to go on or not. If not, don't tip in situations you aren't positively obliged to. Voting with your wallet is the greatest kind of democracy there is.
Quote: MoscaI don't think it's expected to tip on carry out. The way I handle it is, I ask the person to double check my order, making sure what I ordered over the phone got written down, billed properly, and is in the bag/box. That way, they performed a VALUABLE service for me. Then I tip somewhere between 5% and 10%, whatever rounds off the change in the order to the nearest $5 or so. I consider this MORE than enough. And I believe in tipping (I don't hold anyone else's opinions against them one way or another).
Then you tip at the Burger King take-out window?
At a Burger King, the staff are paid regular salaries and do not get tipped.
At a regular restaurant, the service staff are paid little because the assumption is that patrons will tip.
Is a carry-out counter staffed by a dedicated clerk? At a restaurant where they don't normally do carry-out, does a waiter/waitress assist you?
Those questions will help you decide.
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Most Pizza Huts in my area have a dedicated cashier that handles both cashing out the regular patrons, as well as handling the to go orders. This is done by a clerk getting a regular salary and does not expect to be tipped.
As a side discussion: When you see a delivery charge does that change your tipping pattern? I had to deal with this a lot while in college and ended out only tipping 10% rather than a 15-20%.
Quote: RobSingerThen you tip at the Burger King take-out window?
You made me laugh! I thought we were talking about takeout, not fast food.
And I NEVER tip at Chinese takeout.
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.
Since then I've picked up pizzas a few times at the Rocco's in the Summerlin Costo shopping center (which I highly recommend by the way). My order will usually come to about $30, and I tip $1 plus whatever coins they give me. I take care to not present a $100 bill now. That level of tip seems acceptable to me and them, based on the tone of voice of their "thank you."
Quote: DJTeddyBearTHe rule of thumb is, it depends upon who is providing the service, and exactly what service is provided.
At a Burger King, the staff are paid regular salaries and do not get tipped.
At a regular restaurant, the service staff are paid little because the assumption is that patrons will tip.
Is a carry-out counter staffed by a dedicated clerk? At a restaurant where they don't normally do carry-out, does a waiter/waitress assist you?
Those questions will help you decide.
Most Pizza Huts in my area have a dedicated cashier that handles both cashing out the regular patrons, as well as handling the to go orders. This is done by a clerk getting a regular salary and does not expect to be tipped.
You mean those pimply-faced kids at Burger King get paid more per hour than my sophisticated waitress at Ruth Chris?
Quote: RobSingerYou mean those pimply-faced kids at Burger King get paid more per hour than my sophisticated waitress at Ruth Chris?
Yes, they do, although whether someone has pimples or is sophisticated should have less than nothing to do with that. The minimum wage for tipped employees is lower then the minimum wage for non-tipped employees. And to state the obvious, the Ruth Chris waitress certainly earns more total money than the Burger King employees do.
The takeout tips would go to the bartender since the bar took the phone orders and gave the food to the customer when they came to pick it up. The IRS assumed 8% of your sales in tips, so you would get taxed on tips you didn't get if they stiffed you. You would hope they'd order a drink while they were waiting so you'd have a shot at something. The 8% excludes takeout sales, but the small restaurants (not chains) never segregated sales since we had such a small volume of takeout orders. And one owner would deduct credit card fees from your tips that were put on the credit card.
I always tip more than most people just because of what I've experienced. If you're expecting a $3 tip and you get $4, you feel great, and it's just a measly dollar.
Just to clairify a bit, the minimum wage is not lower for tipped employees, but employers are allowed to offset the M.W. by a maximum of 50% with tips. So if it's a slow night or shift, and nobody is tipping, you will still make minimum wage no matter what happens.Quote: mkl654321Yes, they do, although whether someone has pimples or is sophisticated should have less than nothing to do with that. The minimum wage for tipped employees is lower then the minimum wage for non-tipped employees. And to state the obvious, the Ruth Chris waitress certainly earns more total money than the Burger King employees do.
That's federal law. Some states also implement the same law.
If your employer is paying you less than federal/state minimum wage, talk to them about it and if they don't listen report them to your local state/federal labor office.
Quote: teddysJust to clairify a bit, the minimum wage is not lower for tipped employees, but employers are allowed to offset the M.W. by a maximum of 50% with tips. So if it's a slow night or shift, and nobody is tipping, you will still make minimum wage no matter what happens.
That's federal law. Some states also implement the same law.
If your employer is paying you less than federal/state minimum wage, talk to them about it and if they don't listen report them to your local state/federal labor office.
I've never seen it offset on a shift-by-shift basis, though. The offset is done by calculating a percentage of the employee's sales over a monthly period, whether the employee received those tips or not.
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.
Quote: teddysJust to clairify a bit, the minimum wage is not lower for tipped employees, but employers are allowed to offset the M.W. by a maximum of 50% with tips. So if it's a slow night or shift, and nobody is tipping, you will still make minimum wage no matter what happens.
That's federal law. Some states also implement the same law.
If your employer is paying you less than federal/state minimum wage, talk to them about it and if they don't listen report them to your local state/federal labor office.
Thank you for clarifying the issue based on actual experience instead of guessing.
Quote: RobSingerThank you for clarifying the issue based on actual experience instead of guessing.
Yeah, I worked for tips for six years, so I was just "guessing", as JerryRobSingerLogan says. LObloodyL (accusing someone of "making something up" is SO JerryLoganesque).
The minimum wage for tipped employees IS lower, if it is "offset", as in, reduced, by any given amount. And that amount is much more than 50% of minimum in most cases; the paid wage for restaurant servers hovers around $2.00, with the state minimum wage in the $6-8 range.
Quote: WizardThe last time I got a take-out order from a restaurant (in this case Toni Roma's in San Diego) I didn't tip because nobody had to wait on me. Since I was still paying full price for the food, I thought it was fair that I shouldn't have had to pay as much for someone dining in the restaurant, since not as much labor was expended on me. Eliminating the tip, which is pretty much a service fee, seemed fair.
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.
I wouldn't feel like a jerk at all. Other than "keep the change" tip jars there is no reason to tip when you take out. And even then I think the tipping culture is getting out of hand. Why should you pay anything extra for someone to ring you up and hand you a bag of food?
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%
Quote: AZDuffmanI wouldn't feel like a jerk at all. Other than "keep the change" tip jars there is no reason to tip when you take out. And even then I think the tipping culture is getting out of hand. Why should you pay anything extra for someone to ring you up and hand you a bag of food?
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%
At buffets I leave a buck. Two if the staff did something exceptional or drink refills always just appear and plates disappear.
I go through the drive-thru at Sonic, and the person giving me my food will sometimes NOT GIVE ME CHANGE. This has been anywhere from a penny to 50 cents. I do not intend to for them to keep my change as a tip... they just DO IT.
After it happened for a third time, I am now meticulous to pay to the exact cent, or to say loud and clear, "May I have my receipt and my change, please?"
I have been sorely tempted to give them $1.00 on a bill that's $1.12, and then look at them flabbergasted when they ask for the rest of the money. Turnabout is fair play.
Quote: DweenWhat about Sonic Drive-In?
I go through the drive-thru at Sonic, and the person giving me my food will sometimes NOT GIVE ME CHANGE. This has been anywhere from a penny to 50 cents. I do not intend to for them to keep my change as a tip... they just DO IT.
After it happened for a third time, I am now meticulous to pay to the exact cent, or to say loud and clear, "May I have my receipt and my change, please?"
I have been sorely tempted to give them $1.00 on a bill that's $1.12, and then look at them flabbergasted when they ask for the rest of the money. Turnabout is fair play.
Interesting. In AZ I used to go to Sonic fairly often as it was just a few blocks from home. Ate at the table (I hate eating in my car) but when they brought the food outside they had one of those change dispensers on their belts for fast change making. Never left a tip, never got a look.
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.
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: RobSingerSo 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: WizardAs 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: FarFromVegasI 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: AZDuffmanOn 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.
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.Quote: DweenWhat about Sonic Drive-In?
Next mission: the hair salon. Do you think hairdressers' tips are counted in their wage?
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: 7outlineawayFederal 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: teddysYes! 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: teddysNext 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.
In many salons, regardless of rental or employee, they pay for their tools and materials used. I.E. They pay for their scissors, blow dryers, gel, etc. Only the few large dryer hoods are shared and owned by the salon.
Unfortunately, at the store by my house, the change will be in $5 bills.Quote: 7outlineawayThe self checkout machines at grocery stores usually take $100s, and with no whiny, self-absorbed adolescents to deal with.
Quote: 7outlineawayIn 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.
I think it depends. In a chain shop I would say they are paid an hourly wage. In an independent shop they often "rent" a chair and take care of their own clientele, plus "ups" from walk-ins. That would make it a schedule c gig.
BTW: I was always told in a barber shop (or salon for the ladies) you are not expected to tip the owner of the shop, just employees. Anyone else ever hear that?
Quote: AyecarumbaUnfortunately, at the store by my house, the change will be in $5 bills.
Last time I used the monorail in 07, change was in $1 coins. I used them all for tips later.
