Originally Posted by
RichMSN
I don't understand the hesitation on tipping for carry out from a restaurant where you would *gladly* pay a tip if you were eating there.
The same underpaid (less than minimum wage in most places) staff is assembling your order. They have to take the time to put it all in take out containers and put those containers in a bag and ensure everything is correct. Leaving those folks a tip is something I always do and I've never thought twice about not doing so.
Regarding the delivery fees. If they charge me $2 for delivery, that's less than I'm spending going and picking it up.
And the driver? Tip the driver, you cheap bastids.
Sitting in a restaurant is different to buying take out. In a restaurant, there is someone to;
Seat me at a table I will occupy for a couple of hours,
make any drink recommendations,
take my drink order,
pass it to the bartender,
fetch my drink(s),
make any food recommendations,
take my order,
pass it to the kitchen,
bring the cooked food to my table,
deal with the possibility I am not satisfied with my meal and make amends,
repeat for dessert and any other drinks,
tot up my bill,
take payment
wish me a pleasant day/evening as I leave and generally add/detract from the ambience of the day/evening.
possibly clear my plates.
When I collect food, I rock up, pay for food, take food and then leave. The whole transaction is over in 5 minutes (more than that and my food is getting cold) with very little effort on the part of anyone but the kitchen staff. I see no need to tip here.