Originally Posted by
mbstone
This is certainly nowhere near as annoying as those hotel corporations whose properties charge 18% mandatory service charges on room service and have a tip line.
The service charge is not a tip. The service charge goes to the property and the delivery person/server sees none of it. The tip is for the delivery person/server.
The problem here is cultural. In the US/UK, the service people depend tips for a large part of their income, while in others, they see the income in their wages.
I am neither offended nor think it inappropriate to include a tip line. If a tip is appropriate (delivery person), I include it. If a tip isn't appropriate (take out counter) I don't. But, at my neighborhood places which I frequent, I certainly do take care of the counter person.