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So I've noticed this increasingly since the Covid lockdowns.

You order some kind of food or drink for takeout - which means you go to the store and pick the food up yourself.  Maybe it's some pizza, maybe it's just your morning coffee.  But as they hand you your food they give you the point-to-point terminal to pay and up it comes - 'How much do you wish to tip'?


My thought has always been is that tipping is for service.  So if you're getting table-service at a restaurant, or your food is being delivered to you, you're receiving a service.  But on a pick-up order you're just getting your food.  So I hit "0%".


Bonus question to those so inclined - do you tip at buffets?

I tip at takeout depending on the interaction. So if it's like subway or like a burrito place where they assemble I tip, but if it's just something standard like a burger I don't. Not a hard or fast rule, just a guideline.

I tip at a buffet because they still come around with drinks and clear off plates. Though I haven't been to one in years.

Actually, this got me thinking, do those working at places that are basically take out joints make less then minimum wage like restaurants? Never really thought about it.

Quote from: HVC on January 05, 2023, 02:55:30 PMActually, this got me thinking, do those working at places that are basically take out joints make less then minimum wage like restaurants? Never really thought about it.

I'm mostly sure they get minimum wage.

Quote from: Barrister on January 05, 2023, 03:01:16 PMI'm mostly sure they get minimum wage.

I believe "you're tipped so we can pay you a smaller (or non-existent) minimum wage" is legal in some American states, but I don't think it's legal in Canada.

I don't do pick up but I tip a couple of quid for deliveries.

Quote from: Jacob on January 05, 2023, 03:06:47 PM

Quote from: Barrister on January 05, 2023, 03:01:16 PMI'm mostly sure they get minimum wage.

I believe "you're tipped so we can pay you a smaller (or non-existent) minimum wage" is legal in some American states, but I don't think it's legal in Canada.

Different provinces appear to have different rules. None of the tip provinces seem to have as steep a cut as the US.

https://www.restaurantscanada.org/industry-news/minimum-wage-by-province/


*edit* Ontario got rid of the tipper wage, so I guess I should stop tipping? :unsure: :P

Quote from: Gups on January 05, 2023, 03:10:35 PMI don't do pick up but I tip a couple of quid for deliveries.

Yeah I have no problem tipping for delivery.  You're getting a service - your food is being delivered to you.


Buffets - I rarely go, but when I do I'll tip 10%.  You're not getting full table service, but they do clean your plates and maybe bring you drinks.

Quote from: HVC on January 05, 2023, 02:55:30 PMActually, this got me thinking, do those working at places that are basically take out joints make less then minimum wage like restaurants? Never really thought about it.

They are supposed to get minimum wage in these places.  McD, Subway, Tim, etc all give minimum wage and a few cents above for experienced workers.   I don't know about the other, les common ones, but I imagine it's the same, despite the tipping prompt on the machine.

To answer the question, yes, I do give tip on take out, usually 5% when it's a fully prepared meal.

I have noticed more and more being overtly presented a tipping option at walk-up counter orders (say, inside a Starbucks or burger joint)...usually always as a "10%, 15%, 18%" option on the little payment devices.  Forcing one in a face-to-face "maybe I'm a cheap asshole" showdown before you're even served.

I always tip. Even when I buy things at sporting events where everything is already crazy over-priced. I always want to make sure the service people are decently compensated, I know that job sucks.

Quote from: Tonitrus on January 05, 2023, 03:21:19 PMI have noticed more and more being overtly presented a tipping option at walk-up counter orders (say, inside a Starbucks or burger joint)...usually always as a "10%, 15%, 18%" option on the little payment devices.  Forcing one in a face-to-face "maybe I'm a cheap asshole" showdown before you're even served.

That's exactly what I'm talking about.  And in locations where that never used to be a thing.

They're just more efficiently passing the costs of raises to consumers. Capitalism! :P

I tip on takeout, but much less than on delivery or when sitting in the restaurant.

Quote from: Barrister on January 05, 2023, 03:37:38 PM

Quote from: Tonitrus on January 05, 2023, 03:21:19 PMI have noticed more and more being overtly presented a tipping option at walk-up counter orders (say, inside a Starbucks or burger joint)...usually always as a "10%, 15%, 18%" option on the little payment devices.  Forcing one in a face-to-face "maybe I'm a cheap asshole" showdown before you're even served.

That's exactly what I'm talking about.  And in locations where that never used to be a thing.

I've noticed a few of the cafe type places I go to have dialed that back to $1 or $2 options - which matches my personal pattern as well. During Covid I got into the habit of tipping barristas and the like a buck or two as appreciation for their essential worker status. I don't mind continuing that habit. But yeah, tipping 20% on a $30 order of coffees and muffins for the table seems a bit much at this point.

I don't tip on takeout, no. I will sometimes give a few bucks as a generalized good will gesture, if you want to call that a tip. But I never give a percentage based gratis like I would for full table service.

I do a lower % tip for buffet waiters, who at buffets I eat at generally do almost no direct service--literally they just refill drinks, separate workers clear the plates.

Didn't read op at first and took this to mean delivery - I used to. A few years ago though the person acted shocked and looked at me like I was weird for doing so.
I don't think it's the done thing anymore.

For take away though where I'm collecting myself then fuck no. Maybe back in the days of paying with cash let them keep 2p change?

I typically tip 10% on pick-up orders. A server still had to take their time out from assisting other tables to pack up my order correctly, so there is an element of service there.

No, I don't tip at checkout, and in fact I'm more reluctant to visit establishments that have those obnoxious machines that try to guilt you into it.  That's just hostile behavior towards customers.

Quote from: Valmy on January 05, 2023, 03:28:37 PMI always tip. Even when I buy things at sporting events where everything is already crazy over-priced. I always want to make sure the service people are decently compensated, I know that job sucks.

That's where I stand too. I can afford to throw in a few extra dollars.

Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on January 05, 2023, 05:18:36 PM

Quote from: Valmy on January 05, 2023, 03:28:37 PMI always tip. Even when I buy things at sporting events where everything is already crazy over-priced. I always want to make sure the service people are decently compensated, I know that job sucks.

That's where I stand too. I can afford to throw in a few extra dollars.

I definitely don't tip at sporting events.

Not only are the prices already outrageous, but it's a casual job.  Nobody is earning their living from slinging beer at hockey games, or whatever.

Quote from: Barrister on January 05, 2023, 02:49:30 PMSo I've noticed this increasingly since the Covid lockdowns.

You order some kind of food or drink for takeout - which means you go to the store and pick the food up yourself.  Maybe it's some pizza, maybe it's just your morning coffee.  But as they hand you your food they give you the point-to-point terminal to pay and up it comes - 'How much do you wish to tip'?


My thought has always been is that tipping is for service.  So if you're getting table-service at a restaurant, or your food is being delivered to you, you're receiving a service.  But on a pick-up order you're just getting your food.  So I hit "0%".


Bonus question to those so inclined - do you tip at buffets?

I'm American. I tip the coffee batrista, the dog walker, the guy who held the door for me at the store. Of course I tip the counter person.

You've clearly never worked the pick up counter at a restaurant, though. There is nearly as much work involved in getting things together for pick up as there is for the delivery driver. And it's usually a server who does it, so they're losing tips by getting your stuff together.

Isn't tipping fairly common in Europe with the Brits being the exception? I do tip on takeout orders since there's an easy way to do so via the apps. I do not give cash to delivery drivers, although I do it regularly in Hungary. I just understand it to be un-British.

I usually toss a buck in the tip jar at Chinese and pizza.

Quote from: Barrister on January 05, 2023, 05:22:43 PM

Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on January 05, 2023, 05:18:36 PM

Quote from: Valmy on January 05, 2023, 03:28:37 PMI always tip. Even when I buy things at sporting events where everything is already crazy over-priced. I always want to make sure the service people are decently compensated, I know that job sucks.

That's where I stand too. I can afford to throw in a few extra dollars.

I definitely don't tip at sporting events.

Not only are the prices already outrageous, but it's a casual job.  Nobody is earning their living from slinging beer at hockey games, or whatever.

Well, I don't actually go to sporting events, so I suppose I don't tip there either.  :P
But I do generally tip everywhere and my sentiment is the same as Valmy's.

I tip. Especially the younger employees that bothered to stop trying to be influencers and got a job keeping the few restaurants my GF can eat at open.

Quote from: Tonitrus on January 05, 2023, 03:21:19 PMI have noticed more and more being overtly presented a tipping option at walk-up counter orders (say, inside a Starbucks or burger joint)...usually always as a "10%, 15%, 18%" option on the little payment devices.  Forcing one in a face-to-face "maybe I'm a cheap asshole" showdown before you're even served.

Here the lowest one tends to be 18 per cent and goes up to 20 and 25. I feel like such a cheapskate when I pick "other"

Quote from: Tamas on January 05, 2023, 06:15:35 PMIsn't tipping fairly common in Europe with the Brits being the exception? I do tip on takeout orders since there's an easy way to do so via the apps. I do not give cash to delivery drivers, although I do it regularly in Hungary. I just understand it to be un-British.

Really? I thought it was the other way round. Certainly in restaurants in France, tipping is not expected beyond perhaps rounding up (as 15% service is already included in the price by law) whereas 12.5% is routinely added in the UK although usually optional. Similarly my experience in Spain is that the Spanish tip a lot less often than Brits - probably because service providers are better paid than they are here.

Quote from: Gups on January 06, 2023, 08:29:49 AM

Quote from: Tamas on January 05, 2023, 06:15:35 PMIsn't tipping fairly common in Europe with the Brits being the exception? I do tip on takeout orders since there's an easy way to do so via the apps. I do not give cash to delivery drivers, although I do it regularly in Hungary. I just understand it to be un-British.

Really? I thought it was the other way round. Certainly in restaurants in France, tipping is not expected beyond perhaps rounding up (as 15% service is already included in the price by law) whereas 12.5% is routinely added in the UK although usually optional. Similarly my experience in Spain is that the Spanish tip a lot less often than Brits - probably because service providers are better paid than they are here.

My experience is compared to Hungary where you tip excessively - not in terms of % perhaps, but number of occasions. e.g. I was led to believe prior to coming here, that you don't tip in pubs

Quote from: Tamas on January 06, 2023, 08:38:33 AM

Quote from: Gups on January 06, 2023, 08:29:49 AM

Quote from: Tamas on January 05, 2023, 06:15:35 PMIsn't tipping fairly common in Europe with the Brits being the exception? I do tip on takeout orders since there's an easy way to do so via the apps. I do not give cash to delivery drivers, although I do it regularly in Hungary. I just understand it to be un-British.

Really? I thought it was the other way round. Certainly in restaurants in France, tipping is not expected beyond perhaps rounding up (as 15% service is already included in the price by law) whereas 12.5% is routinely added in the UK although usually optional. Similarly my experience in Spain is that the Spanish tip a lot less often than Brits - probably because service providers are better paid than they are here.

My experience is compared to Hungary where you tip excessively - not in terms of % perhaps, but number of occasions. e.g. I was led to believe prior to coming here, that you don't tip in pubs

In my experience traveling, which is dated a bit now, tipping was more common in Britain than on the continent--nowhere do as many different types of service providers get tipped as in America. Britain tipping didn't seem rare in the service industry but it was just a nice additional thing, not as integral as it was in America (which in my experience is uniquely enmeshed in tipping culture), on the continent you wouldn't be looked at as a weirdo for tipping but it was often expected less.

On the other end of the extreme Australia has almost an "anti-tipping" culture, there is virtually nowhere that expects tips, and it is such a cultural outlier it would be weird if you even tried. Most of these experiences are pre-2015 or so, and in some cases 10 years older than that, so obviously things could be different now.

BTW what about "gratitude payments" i.e. effectively bribing nurses and doctors in the state health sector? It was the default in Hungary for many decades and very much expected. Allegedly there's been a crackdown on it recently but I am very skeptical on its results.

Quote from: Tamas on January 06, 2023, 08:38:33 AM

Quote from: Gups on January 06, 2023, 08:29:49 AM

Quote from: Tamas on January 05, 2023, 06:15:35 PMIsn't tipping fairly common in Europe with the Brits being the exception? I do tip on takeout orders since there's an easy way to do so via the apps. I do not give cash to delivery drivers, although I do it regularly in Hungary. I just understand it to be un-British.

Really? I thought it was the other way round. Certainly in restaurants in France, tipping is not expected beyond perhaps rounding up (as 15% service is already included in the price by law) whereas 12.5% is routinely added in the UK although usually optional. Similarly my experience in Spain is that the Spanish tip a lot less often than Brits - probably because service providers are better paid than they are here.

My experience is compared to Hungary where you tip excessively - not in terms of % perhaps, but number of occasions. e.g. I was led to believe prior to coming here, that you don't tip in pubs

Tipping in pubs is unusual though not unheard of (usually - "two pints please and one for yourself").

Quote from: Tamas on January 06, 2023, 08:57:48 AMBTW what about "gratitude payments" i.e. effectively bribing nurses and doctors in the state health sector? It was the default in Hungary for many decades and very much expected. Allegedly there's been a crackdown on it recently but I am very skeptical on its results.

That's third world shit.

Quote from: Tamas on January 06, 2023, 08:57:48 AMBTW what about "gratitude payments" i.e. effectively bribing nurses and doctors in the state health sector? It was the default in Hungary for many decades and very much expected. Allegedly there's been a crackdown on it recently but I am very skeptical on its results.

Absolutely, 100% no.

I can't imagine an American doctor even accepting such a payment, and would be shocked at its proffer.

They don't need it, they get plenty form pharmaceutical companies :P

Quote from: Gups on January 06, 2023, 09:00:05 AMTipping in pubs is unusual though not unheard of (usually - "two pints please and one for yourself").

That becomes a 33 per cent tip. :huh:

But yeah, I know when I went to Malta last and sat drinking at a bar, I noticed that at the end of the evening, customers would buy a last drink and then tell the bartender to have something for himself. I imagine bartender would get pretty drunk by the time he locked up.

Quote from: Josephus on January 08, 2023, 07:03:51 AM

Quote from: Gups on January 06, 2023, 09:00:05 AMTipping in pubs is unusual though not unheard of (usually - "two pints please and one for yourself").

That becomes a 33 per cent tip. :huh:

But yeah, I know when I went to Malta last and sat drinking at a bar, I noticed that at the end of the evening, customers would buy a last drink and then tell the bartender to have something for himself. I imagine bartender would get pretty drunk by the time he locked up.

Thinking of tips in terms of percentages is just so odd.

Quote from: Josquius on January 08, 2023, 11:39:58 AMThinking of tips in terms of percentages is just so odd.

That is how it's done here, unfortunately