To tip, or not to tip?

Question

Here's the situation: I wanted to get take-out from Macaroni Grill. I didn't have any cash, but I had a gift card. So I go into the "To Go" door and place my order. The lady takes my gift card, swipes it, and has me sign the receipt. There's a place on there for a tip 'cause it's just like a credit card receipt. She took it and looked at it kinda funny. Was I supposed to put a tip on there?

Answer 1

T.I.P.S.= To Insure Prompt Service.

This does not usually apply to drive thru's or pick ups.

If you so desire to tip for this type of service that is up to you at that time.

It is reserved for sit down meals inside the eatery, or if in a hotel, motel, or and inn then you can tip the room service person who brings your meal or anything else you ordered.

NEVER be pressured in leaving a tip.

EVEN if the service is bad it's up to you.

01.15.08 9:41pm EST

Answer 2

I don't think there should be a tip if there was no sit down service unless of course they did something spectacular such as bringin my food to my car while in a blizzard...and I only tip well if the service was pleasant :)

Answer 3

Of course you should tip!! The person did a lot more than just hand you food! In a lot of cases, they take the order, make sure it's correct when it comes out of the kitchen, pack it up for you, include all your sides / salads / bread / condiments / napkins, etc. Most people who work carry-out earn only minimum wage, because it's expected that they will receive tips. People really have no idea how much really goes into take out orders. I always leave 18% to 20%, even on takeout, but even if you just give the person a few dollars for walking out to your car, it's better than nothing!

Answer 4

You should tip unless it's fast food.  When dining in, tip 15-20% for good service.  For carry out, tip 10%.  The person may not have had to refill your drink, but she still had to get your food from the kitchen, bag it, put your utensils in, and collect payment.  She makes less than minimum wage, and every little bit helps.

Answer 5

Even if it is just a to go order, I always like to leave a couple dollars to the restaurant for their time. Especially if your meal was ready on time, and the staff was friendly. Just as you would do if you were sitting and being waited on. It is just a common courtesy. Next time...leave double that way, you feel a little better for not leaving one the last time.

Answer 6

To go orders take time to box up, time spent away from your dining in/tipping customers, so it would be courteous to leave a small tip at least for the server.

Answer 7

I would never tip for a carry out order!

Answer 8

I wouldn´t.  maybe there was some other reason she looked at it funny.  Nothing to do with tip.

Answer 9

I work in a restaurant and you "should" tip 10% of the total.  It gets rediculous on how many people you "should" be tipping!  You tip whatever u want.  But remember, sit down restaurants you NEED to tip.  They only make $2.33 per hour

Answer 10

I wouldn't necessarily tip at the "To-Go door," of the place. I look at this way, when I go to restaurant and eat, I tip based on the quality of service, and the quality of food. Well, since you got it to go, no one had to wait on you at all or serve you throughout your dinner, etc. And since it is "to go," you can't really leave a tip for the cook since you have no idea what your food even tastes like, and that's assuming that the order is correct. If it were me, I wouldn't stress about it at all.

Answer 11

For carry-out you don't have a waiter/waitress serving you (duh), so you are not tipping for that service. However, if they prepare your order in a timely manner, and is exactly what you ordered, tip. I generally tip about half what I would tip a waitress or a waiter- 10% to 15%. Here is an exception. Let's say you order carry-out from the same place several times, and they always put plenty of condiments, sauces, dips, napkins, extras, etc. with your order. Then I would tip for this service the same way I would tip a waitress or a waiter. I worked for tips for over ten years, and only averaged about 3%. 10% is O.K. 20% is thoughtful. 30% is good. 100% will put you through college.

Here's a tipping tip: always tip for the service. Don't take off 'tip points' for things that are out of the waitperson's control- like how long you had to wait for your table or your food, the quality or temperature of your food, how cold or warm the restaraunt is, or what color hair you found in your food (unless you're 100% sure it belongs to the waitperson).

I hope this helps.

P.S. Remember that 'TIPS' is an acronym for

"To Insure Prompt Service". 'TIPS' is also 'SPIT' spelled backwards.

Answer 12

I usually only tip if I have an actual waitress, not for to-go.  That would be like tipping McDonald's for handing you the bag of food.

Answer 13

No.  Tips are for waiters and bartenders, and since neither of them served you, there was no need or requirement for you to put a tip there.

Answer 14

Not for take out, that is generic so when you dine in you can put the tip, but if they expect you to go there, put in your own order and take it yourself, why should you tip? Do you tip the cashier at the grocery store? No. Now if they waited on you or delivered the food to your home, then yes. So let her look funny, it doesn't hurt.

Answer 15

No. No one waited on you they just brought your order to the door. I sometimes feel funny about that space too, but you don't leave a tip there.

Answer 16

If they're friendly, tip.  When I was a server, me & the other servers hated taking & prepping to-go orders b/c we could have spent that time taking a table that left a better tip than the to-go ppl gave.  It was horrible when people ordered huge to-go orders and tipped nothing.  

So, if they're nice and deserve a tip, give them about 10%.  (Whereas if you eat there, you should tip at least 15% unless service is horrible).



If the service is slow and rude, tip nothing at all and don't feel guilty about it!  Tips need to be deserved.

Answer 17

Nope.

No tip unless it's sit down service. :0)

Answer 18

No, you are not expected to tip at the "to go" place. Who knows why she looked at it funny--maybe she'd never seen a gift card before--or just had gas!

Answer 19

No.  Tipping is for people who serve on you.  If you're just driving thru...nope.  You're set.

Answer 20

Probably not, but the lady probably thought you were being courteous or was just greedy and didn't say anything.

Answer 21

If all she did was hand you your food and your bill, no tip is necessary.  If on the other hand you had to wait for your food and she got you something to drink and was extremely nice and checking up on you and your food while you waited then a buck or two would be nice without breaking the bank

Answer 22

I would have tipped. These people work for less than minimum wage because they have to claim their tips. Even tho you didn't go inside; they are still waiting on you and putting your food together.

Answer 23

i dont agree. im a waitress and to go orders take time to prepare as well so unless its a fast food place, you should tip :)

Answer 24

not ppl can force a tip on anyone...so if u want to tip, u tip or else dun care what they think

Answer 25

I never tip on "to go" orders. They aren't really waiting on me, refilling my drinks, etc. so they don't need to be tipped.

Answer 26

To tip.

Answer 27

Think this is fine if you are taking out instead of eating there. I did not provide tip too when I take out.

Answer 28

No, I wouldn't tip unless this is sit down service as said before. When you get sit down service you should tip because the employees are taking much more time to serve you and make sure you are happy with your meal. With to go service they just take your order and call you when its ready. There is no check in on how your food is or anything with to go service so there is not much reason for a tip.

Answer 29

I don't think I would have for a carry out order.... I mean, you don't tip at McDonald's so how is this different?

I will be interested to see what others say and why....

Answer 30

If you eat in and get good service, I think you should always tip (around 10%) but if you either get c**p service OR get a take away then don't bother!  The lady was just being arsy with you cos she expected something for nothing.

Answer 31

Almost never tip on a to go item.

A few times I have tipped because the server was exceptionally kind or thoughtful.

Other than that save your bucks!! :)