what's the skinny on tips?

[look 171]

How many of you tip at take out places like a small sit down restaurant. I never tip when I pick up take out. But then I almost never take out, very rare do I do it. It cheaper to sit and have a meal and pay the tip then washing dishes. Is it the new norm to tip now even if they never actually serve you?

I asked someplace else with a little younger audience, not a bunch of old farts like us here. Most seem to tip 10 % but I think its the net and people just didn't want to sound cheap. I am not sure if they would actually do it in real life? Most of us here have thick skin and could care less what people think, so lets hear it.

This was what actually got me thinking. I phoned in an order for a bunch for breakfast burritos the week after Thanksgiving for my sub contractor's and my men because they busted their fat asses for me right up to the holiday. I went and picked up the food at this place that I like to eat lunch sometimes and catch my breath. This is not a cheap place but not fancy by any means. Their breakfast burrito cost about 14 bucks each (8 or them). The cashier handed me the change, so I dropped the couple of bucks and change in the tip jar and thanked him. The little siht said" Thanks big tipper". I wanted to take my money back and rip his throat out. On my way back up the hill, I kept thinking that maybe a new thing to tip at situations like that? Maybe I was at fault and deserved to be called a cheap bastard. At the same time, he didn't do siht but put the already prepped food in a bag and took my money. I don't think he deserved 10-12 bucks tip for doing nothing, does he?

[LeeH]

I'm not a fan of the proliferation of tip jars. I tip above average in the traditional situations. I don't feel the need to drop cash into every clear plastic cup sitting by a cash register.

[masraum]

When I call a normal restaurant and order takeout, I normally tip a buck or two for the trouble of boxing my stuff up. But then I used to bartend, so I'm normally a pretty good tipper.

The kid that insulted you was an ass, you should have taken your money back.

[Don Ro]

What goes into a breakfast burrito that sells fo $14?

BTW, at over a hundred bucks for treats, you're one generous guy.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by look 171

The little siht said" Thanks big tipper". I wanted to take my money back and rip his throat out.

I would call the manager and complain. And I would never go back. Ever.

I don't tip much at take-out, it's not the same as a restaurant. If he wants 15% he can wait on tables.

[look 171]

I am paying part of their rent. This place is in the wast side of Los Angeles, rent is sky high. Oh, the burritos, they are nice and fat filled with egg white and other goodies. The healthy kind. I know what you are thinking, but its actually very, very good. Its not like other healthy foods that taste like card boards.

These guys busted their asses the week before Thanksgiving. they worked until 7 to sometimes 8pm trying to get done for my client's big family dinner in their new kitchen. I never ask them to do that, but they did. Bonus to my men is going to kill me this year.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I would call the manager and complain. And I would never go back. Ever.

I don't tip much at take-out, it's not the same as a restaurant. If he wants 15% he can wait on tables.

I think he might be the manager? He's always there at the counter greeting people every time I go in there.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by look 171

I am paying part of their rent. This place is in the wast side of Los Angeles, rent is sky high. Oh, the burritos, they are nice and fat filled with egg white and other goodies. The healthy kind. I know what you are thinking, but its actually very, very good. Its not like other healthy foods that taste like card boards.

These guys busted their asses the week before Thanksgiving. they worked until 7 to sometimes 8pm trying to get done for my client's big family dinner in their new kitchen. I never ask them to do that, but they did. Bonus to my men is going to kill me this year.

Years ago, when I had 10 employees, I gave my field boss 10 (ten) $100 bills in a Christmas card.
He broke down and cried on the spot.
I should have made him a percentage partner back then. Wonderful work ethic.

[look 171]

Well Don, you are a pretty good man yourself. I don't care what they say, but money makes the world go around.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by look 171

I think he might be the manager? He's always there at the counter greeting people every time I go in there.

Problem solved. Never go back, ever.

I had a similar incident at Home Depot once, I spoke to the manager and told her she had a problem with a certain employee. She declined to help. Since then I have spent thousands of dollars at Home Depot, but never at her store. I will never enter her store again.

[Chocaholic]

He's probably a nice guy with a sense of humor. Don't take it so seriously. Do what you want. I'm sure he prefers your business over your tip.

[widgeon13]

I don't tip at take out places but my wife insists on leaving a tip for housekeeping at hotels we stay at, she learned this from her father and it's growing on me. Not sure what housekeeping makes but many times they are immigrants and work long hours for low pay. They are working and deserve to know someone appreciates them.

[petrolhead611]

The Hospitality industry sucks. Its about time they paid their staff a living wage so that their customers don't have think about tipping. A barrista or whatever they call themselves at a Florida Starbucks called out to my daughter when she didn;t tip him-we don't tip in self-service coffee bars in England. I loudly verbally humiliated him in front of the customers in there at the time. All they do is make a coffee and pass it over the counter to you-its hardly service beyond the normal job expectations. Would you tip in a shoe store if the assistant brought you several pairs to try-ie is doing his job?

[Rick V]

He must be in training for one of those new $15 burger flipping jobs

[widgeon13]

I give a tip if some deserves it in my eyes not because the asshat in front of me did it!

[KFC911]

He was way out of line, not you imo. I have no problem tipping 20-25% for a wait staff who's actually providing me a "service", but handing me something and taking my $ at the register doesn't qualify imo.

ps: I do occasionally order take-out from a local Mexican place...where the person (typically a wait staff) will take my order, package it up, etc. They get a tip

pps: A $14 breakfast burrito??? For that, I think I'd have driven down to San Diego...Santanas (we always called it...)...."Purple Burrito Heaven"....filling and cheap...still give a buddy crap about eating TWO of their humongous 1 lb'ers one time

[GH85Carrera]

I give a good tip when the service is good. I never bother with a percentage. I can't see leaving a 20% tip at a 5 dollar breakfast place that brought me coffee several times, and the food was prompt and most important of all, brought me the ticket promptly. I hate being help hostage waiting on the ticket so I can leave. Anyway I will leave at least 4 bucks for the tip sometimes I tip as much as the meal.

For the take out orders, I might throw a buck or two at the person that bags everything up if they are pleasant and professional and doing their job right. If they just ring it up and never engage their brain, no tip. it is 100% subjective on my part.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I give a good tip when the service is good. I never bother with a percentage. I can't see leaving a 20% tip at a 5 dollar breakfast place that brought me coffee several times.....

Even though breakfast will now run ya $10, I agree

[weseeeee]

I tip 20-25% when we dine in. When we get take out I've never tipped, unless it's a pizza delivery.
I agree that employee was out of line, however if I liked the place I'd continue to go there but I wouldn't leave anything when I picked up my meal.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by weseeeee

... unless it's a pizza delivery....
.

Rarely do the pizza delivery thing, but something I don't understand are the places that tack on an extra 2-3 bucks for the "delivery charge", and then say that extra charge is NOT for the driver (i.e. still supposed to tip)....I just don't get that one either