Ok, this has bothered me for a very long time.
First off, when you order take-out from a restaurant, say Chilis, do you think you should leave the to-go server a tip?
I ask this, because I pick up lunch everyday for my work. I am fortunate enough to work somewhere where my boss buys me lunch everyday. It's awesome, I know.
When I first started working for my employer, I would always leave my server a tip, the usual 15%-20%. (Which is what your supposed to tip, for some reason Utahns have a problem with this). After a few weeks my office manager actually got mad at me for doing it. She said that she didn't believe that you should tip the server when you order take-out because their not really serving you....
(SIDE NOTE: What are they doing if their not serving you?? Their taking your order and getting your food ready. The only thing their not doing is filling up your drink, and asking you "How is everything?")
I explained to them that I've worked my fair share of restaurant jobs throughout my life, and tips, whether you are a regular server or take-out specialist, are your income! You LIVE off of your tips. It's how you make your money. They decided at most I could leave a $2.00 tip when I went to pick up lunch.
This has since bothered me incessantly since then. Mostly because we go to the same group of restaurants week after week. At those restaurants, I usually have the same people helping me. I know that I remember their faces, and sometimes their names. So I'm sure they remember me. Especially when my office incurs a $50 bill, and I can only leave a $2.00 tip.....I feel like I need to explain myself every time. I feel like they all loathe me. I am "That Girl That Doesn't Tip Well". I hate it.
So, I must know, what is the tipping standard for take-out orders?? Am I fussing over this for nothing??
Well, in answer to your question... DO you tip people at fast food restaurants? Because the person at the window probably puts all of the food you order and puts it in a bag and hands it to you.. They are doing the exact same amount of work that the person at those nicer restaurants do... To be honest I have no idea... But I don't think there is a need to tip...
ReplyDeleteExcellent question though... i am interested to hear what everyone has to say...
-Cindi
I googled it, and here were a couple answers from ettiquette sites:
ReplyDeleteTakeout - If you get good service, in other words, the waiter gets and packages the food, then at your choice you can tip $1-2 or up to 10%. Nothing is really necessary.
"you should tip somewhere between a couple of bucks and 10 percent. Tip on the higher end if your order was particularly complex or if you had any special requests "
These sites did however say that 80% percent of people do not tip take out servers.
Wow, that's really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI know that in some of the restaurants the To-Go person did make a higher hourly wage than a regular server. However, it was still less than minimum wage. I don't know...maybe I'm just a softee!
But, if I get crappy service, I definitely don't tip. Like making me wait for 15 minutes because they forgot to enter my order when I called...yeah, that sucks. :)
I have to weigh in on this, seeing as how I did the restaurant thing for almost 8 years. Yes, you should tip the server at a place that is not "fast food." However, you do NOT have to hold to the standard 15-20%. Seriously, a dollar or two is plenty.
ReplyDeleteI say this because in a fast food joint, they simply take the order and give you the food. They usually arent the same person preparing the food--they are simply the cashier. In a place like Chilis, that server is taking the time to prep your salads, sandwiches, etc which takes time away from tables in the restaurant. Thus, they should get a tip, albeit not large (unless its a huge order). And that, my friends, comes from me, who has worked fast food, cafe, and fine dining :)
I've been a server for over twenty years...and I definately say yes...most always the person who took your to-go order is responsible for getting your saladsa nd soups and desserts and sides together and then packaging the whole order up once the main dishes are cooked. I always tip a to-go person.
ReplyDelete~Steph
I have ZERO expertise or experience here, so I'm going to agree with wise Lynley :-)
ReplyDelete