Should I tip when picking up food?

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walterc

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This is one of those etiquette questions that I never am quite sure of. Obviously, you should tip when you're at a restaurant and being served. Your tip is payment for the service. And obviously you should tip when you have food delivered. Your tip is paying for the delivery. But when you call in an order that you pick up yourself, do you tip? You did all of the service work; you got there, picked up the, food, served it to yourself at home. All they did was prepare, which is what the actual price of the food is for. Yet whenever I pick up and use a credit card, and don't fill out that little place for tip on the slip, I feel bad, and often get upset glances. If I should be tipping, please let me know. I am no way against tipping; I think if someone helps make you're meal easier they deserve something for it . I just can't figure out what I would be tipping for in this case. There was no extra work done to tip for, as far as I can see. Thanks so much.
P.S. I'd especially appreciate answers from people working in a place that offers take out, just so I can know the perspective from the other side of the counter.
 
Of course they would like a tip. I don't generally tip on take out food, except in small, family owned restaurants where the cook/waitress/busboy/cashier is all the same person. In large places where there is a kitchen staff paid to do the cooking, I don't tip for carry out.
 
Normally, I would say no....if they want to give you a dirty look, let them....try and muster up one of your own and stare back down at them. You are correct, they have done nothing to earn a tip. Cooks are paid a salary, as are hostesses, cashiers, etc....it is only servers who are paid $2.01 per hour and rely on tips to survive.

The only time I tip is when I order food from a local restaurant that is family-owned. I am a regular customer and eat there often. When I order take-out, they know me so well that they often include the extra things they know I like, such as extra toast when I order a breakfast (and they don't charge me for that)...or if I happen to order lunch to take back to the office they might tuck in a piece of cake because they know I like that kind, and they happen to have baked it that day.

The point is, they go over and above what a chain restaurant does when they prepare and pack my food, and I know that. It's almost like getting take-out from my mom!

Also, they NEVER expect a tip, and have said as much when checking me out after I have given them one...THOSE are the kind of people I like to tip and whom I feel earn and deserve tips!

Just my two-cents worth!
 
ive worked in restaurants for 15+ years...yes,you should tip for take-out..the hostess usually takes your order , bags your food,and makes sure you have all the condiments needed..they usually make less than any of the other employees and it is customary to tip...or next time,you might not get the "extra" attention to your order..and a dirty look...also..sometimes the bartender or waitress IS the one taking the take-out orders
 
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