# Do You Tip on Take Out Orders? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 14, 2023, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148 "2023-03-14T09:23:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/21 "2023-03-14T15:13:44Z")
There is a Chinese restaurant here that gives a discount for cash, they have great food (and big portions), and the people that work there are really nice. I’ll give them a tip on take-out just because I like supporting their restaurant. For everyone else though, no. I don’t tip for take-out. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/22 "2023-03-14T15:17:17Z")
Only since COVID. They’re taking more risks than the average person as part of their jobs, and I appreciate that they’re out there doing so, so that I can obtain food without sitting at a table. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/23 "2023-03-14T15:25:13Z")
No. I leave the standard 15% tip for table service, but nothing for takeout. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/24 "2023-03-14T15:50:01Z")
Similarly, I tipped on take-out orders when table service was not an option, but generally don’t feel obligated to provide a gratuity if I’m picking up an order at the counter. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/25 "2023-03-14T15:54:49Z")
Almost never, as I see carry out food as essentially retail. There’s been a free times when I tossed a couple bucks in (waiting for my food in a sweltering restaurant that they’re working in all day) but those are rare exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/26 "2023-03-14T15:57:06Z")
Huh. Around here (Chicago) more like 20% is the de facto standard, and has been for years. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/27 "2023-03-14T17:21:02Z")
I learned 15% back in the '70s, and see no reason to change. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/28 "2023-03-14T17:31:30Z")
My late aged MIL said tips were customarily 5% when she was a girl during WWII and she sure as heck wasn’t going to change her tipping technique now. That was in the 1970s. Times and customs change no matter how much we wish they did not. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/29 "2023-03-14T17:45:52Z")
Eh, services hasn’t gotten 5% better on average to warrant a 5% increase. Probably gotten 5% worse. I stick with 15% base and adjust from there based on actual quality of service. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/30 "2023-03-14T17:50:53Z")
If it’s a small family restaurant where everybody is hustling and much of the business is takeout, then a tip is nice thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/31 "2023-03-14T18:17:17Z")
Often, even usually if I like the place. But I don’t feel obliged to do so. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/32 "2023-03-14T18:59:19Z")
I tip 20%+ on take out orders. I’m really not trying to brag, I just didn’t realize so many people don’t. I mean, everybody hates tipping, but most of us know we have to tip on sit down anyway. I do takeout maybe once per month, and I can afford an extra $10, so I (grudgingly) pass it on to people working harder than me. One thing that does irritate me is the Dominoes app won’t accept a tip when paying by credit card. That means instead of 20%, they get whatever dollars or change I happen to have, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![SacFly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@SacFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SacFly)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/33 "2023-03-14T20:10:39Z")
Take out I’ll tip a buck or two. I’m a multi-year repeat customer at a couple of my places and I’d rather be known as the guy who leaves something. Delivery is usually 20%. I delivered pizzas in college so I know what a difference it makes. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/34 "2023-03-14T20:26:36Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I got into the habit during the Covid shutdown, and never really got out of it. This. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > The other reason to tip is that, if you can easily afford it, it’s nice to let the money flow to someone who needs it more than you do, and who is making your life better in some small way. And this. I’ve had a generally fortunate life, and I can afford it, so I generally tip fairly generously. To me it’s not about what people earn or deserve (on the very rare occasions when I have had actually poor service, I prefer to complain about it rather than to stiff the tip) or what I’m going to get out of tipping, it’s about what I can do for people whose working lives are a grind. I’m often not a terribly generous person with money, tipping allows me a structured way to give back a little. ---
**Author:** ![11luke1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/54ee81/32.png) [@11luke1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11luke1)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/35 "2023-03-14T20:28:02Z")
Nope unfortunately I’m struggling financially, and I don’t have the luxury of tipping for pick up. ---
**Author:** ![Delayed\_Reflex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/delayed_reflex/32/3172_2.png) [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/36 "2023-03-14T20:58:19Z")
Who usually gets the tips if you tip during takeout? Cashier, kitchen staff, owners? I usually will tip a bit (5-10%) if it’s a smaller local joint that I want to support, since I assume it usually will just go to the owners. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/37 "2023-03-14T20:59:48Z")
I’m picking up a takeout pizza right now (for pi day!) and the charge was $30.01. So I tipped $2.99. I think 10% is fair. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/38 "2023-03-14T21:10:41Z")
I usually do. I never tip food cart operators, because they’re normally owners, not staff. There’s a meat market down the street that also has a grill for sandwiches. If I’m having lunch there, I’ll tip; if I’m buying a pound of hamburger, then no. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/39 "2023-03-14T21:35:41Z")
It depends. I do for my local Domino’s because they remember me and I notice I’ve gotten priority. Same with a local taco chain. Other places not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148/40 "2023-03-14T22:55:23Z")
I am curious if those who tip for takeout also tip when picking up fast food or from a place with no seating? I am sure all the cashiers at McDonalds need that extra money too. And if not, why not? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-tip-on-take-out-orders/981148.md?page=3)