# Does restaurant delivery mean inside the building to your door? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2019, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065 "2019-02-23T04:54:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/41 "2019-02-24T01:30:05Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Even if “it’s the delivery man’s job to find a place to park,” if there _is_ no open space near your apartment, the delivery person cannot magically make one appear. If he then circles the block for ten minutes looking for an open place to park before coming up to deliver your food, then you’re going to be bitching about how long it took, and how your food was cold when it finally got to you. > > Multiple people have given suggestions on what you _can_ do, as well as suggesting that services like DoorDash (and, I suspect, UberEats) might sometimes have delivery people who are less than awesome at it. But, no, you seem convinced that you should not have to specify “please be sure to come all the way to the apartment door,” and that doing so is simply asking for trouble and retribution. > > Ideally, no, you should not have to specify this. Your recent past experiences have told you otherwise. Do something different. I think the board agrees with me that this is non standard curious behavior occurring 4 times independently to me this month. Not an obvious question. I’m still pondering it. thanks for posting. How is this “year one” of this parking crisis? is my question. Is it like the national emergency at the border? Sorry but I am skeptical of such claims of emergency. I live on a large thoroughfare with a vacant building across the street. People make do. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/42 "2019-02-24T01:31:26Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Why is having Domino’s pizza 3 times a month as sad as this? I don’t get it. > > I rarely order food for delivery, but I’ve never had an issue with people refusing to bring it to my door. It’s not as sad as 4 times a month. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/43 "2019-02-24T04:35:03Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I think the board agrees with me that this is non standard curious behavior occurring 4 times independently to me this month. Not an obvious question. I’m still pondering it. thanks for posting. Yes, it’s not the norm, but four instances (even in a short period of time) don’t necessarily equate to “this is now the norm in this area.” Your sample size is too small to be able to generalize. Also, I just realized, going back over your earlier posts, that two of your delivery orders were from pizza places within a block of your apartment. That might also be a factor (i.e., delivery guys annoyed with making such a short run). I don’t know. > [@drad\_dog](#): > > How is this “year one” of this parking crisis? is my question. Is it like the national emergency at the border? Sorry but I am skeptical of such claims of emergency. I live on a large thoroughfare with a vacant building across the street. People make do. Hey, I never said “there is some parking crisis suddenly in 2019,” what I had said is that, in congested urban areas, yes, it _is_ a pain in the ass for delivery drivers (or anyone, for that matter) to find parking. That is NOT NEW. You yourself admitted that you didn’t frequently order delivery until now. You’re suddenly noticing (and sensitized) to these things, and it could well be that they’ve been going on for years, but as you rarely ordered delivery, how would you have known? So, two simple questions for you, since you really haven’t stated either of these: 1. Just how bad is parking in front of your apartment? Is it, generally, easy or difficult for someone to find parking, on the street, very close to your apartment building? If a delivery person double-parks in front of your apartment, how badly are they blocking traffic? How rapidly might they get ticketed? 2. What does a delivery person need to do to get to your apartment? Are you on the second or third floor of a walk-up? Are you on the 15th floor of a high-rise? Are there elevators? Do they have to get past a doorman? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/44 "2019-02-24T06:06:26Z")
Question: do delivery guys drive cars where you live? Really? Because here, they all drive scooters. Parking is never an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/45 "2019-02-24T11:29:49Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I would definitely agree that the onus is on you to make sure that you give specific delivery instruction when you place the order. Make sure that you’re absolutely crystal clear that the driver will have to enter the building, climb the stairs and bring it to your apartment door. ANY ambiguity in this will be exploited. With that beings said, if they still take the order then it’s their job to follow through. Any dispute in this will be between the driver and his manager. You’ve done what you can. > > I also agree, tip well. Preferably in cash. > > Either way, I hope you like your food with extra phlegm. The big secret to the restaurant industry is that the people who spit in your food are going to spit in your food regardless of what you do. They spread that rumor to keep the serfs in check paranoid at all times the slightest inconvenience will cause a food retaliation when really people fuck with food for no solid reason besides general malice. Man asks for ketchup in his burger instead of mustard? Spit. Boss says you have to clean the bathroom? Spit. Woman customer isn’t that good looking? Spit. Some people just have a natural sick sense of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/46 "2019-02-24T13:40:28Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Question: do delivery guys drive cars where you live? Really? Because here, they all drive scooters. Parking is never an issue. Almost always cars in and around DC IME. Usually parking illegally for the time it takes to dash up and back. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/47 "2019-02-24T14:36:51Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Why is having Domino’s pizza 3 times a month as sad as this? I don’t get it. Yeah, it was pretty common when I worked for Dominos - we had many people that ordered in for “movie night.” Back in the day we’d see a good percentage of weekend customers pausing the VHS tape of the latest blockbuster to answer the door. A co-worker has a bunch of people over to play video games every weekend and do the same. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/48 "2019-02-24T14:37:52Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Why is having Domino’s pizza 3 times a month as sad as this? I don’t get it. > > I rarely order food for delivery, but I’ve never had an issue with people refusing to bring it to my door. Clearly you’re a person who hasn’t tried Domino’s pizza. It may not be the worst pizza in the world, but it’s close. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/49 "2019-02-24T15:25:07Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Clearly you’re a person who hasn’t tried Domino’s pizza. It may not be the worst pizza in the world, but it’s close. And clearly you’re a person whose discriminating Epicurean palate demands you grandly belittle strangers on the internet who dare express enjoyment of something that does not conform to your exacting gourmet standards, so that others will have no problem discerning your own legendary wealth and taste. Clearly, as the resident gastronome here, pray tell when is your next flight to Napoli, good sir? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/50 "2019-02-24T16:02:11Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Clearly you’re a person who hasn’t tried Domino’s pizza. It may not be the worst pizza in the world, but it’s close. You aren’t related to Hyacinth Bucket, are you? Perhaps you would prefer Chinese takeaway? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/51 "2019-02-24T16:05:52Z")
> [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > And clearly you’re a person whose discriminating Epicurean palate demands you grandly belittle strangers on the internet who dare express enjoyment of something that does not conform to your exacting gourmet standards, so that others will have no problem discerning your own legendary wealth and taste. > > Clearly, as the resident gastronome here, pray tell when is your next flight to Napoli, good sir? Look at you, all sensitive about pizza. What, you own a Domino’s franchise? It’s shitty pizza, get over it. The Domino’s driver probably goes past a couple of better mom and pop pizza joints on the way to **nightshadea’s** house. Domino’s isn’t even even the best chain pizza, at least it wasn’t a couple of decades ago the last time I tried it. **nightshadea** must know that better than anyone; having eaten at least 500 of them. Plus, Napoli for pizza? The best pizza I ever had in Italy was in Firenze, although Vinezia had the best pasta. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/52 "2019-02-24T16:15:43Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It’s shitty pizza, get over it. …Domino’s isn’t even even the best chain pizza, at least it wasn’t a couple of decades ago the last time I tried it. If it’s been decades since you tried it, you can’t speak to their quality now. A few years ago, [they ran an ad campaign](http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34812047/ns/business-us_business/t/dominos-tough-love-itself-getting-noticed/#.XHLCRehKjcs) saying essentially “We know we make shitty pizza, so we’re changing it.” ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/53 "2019-02-24T16:16:58Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Look at you, all sensitive about pizza. For the record, I don’t recall having eaten Dominos in probably something like 20 years, although since I am not a pretentious asshole, I might have had some at a friend’s place if it was offered without trying to make them feel inferior. I’m guessing that you don’t get invited over to many of your “friends” too often though, so playing basement gourmand will just have to do. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/54 "2019-02-24T17:07:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Question: do delivery guys drive cars where you live? Really? Because here, they all drive scooters. Parking is never an issue. It’s cars. Scooters are used by some places for short hops I supose. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/55 "2019-02-24T18:54:55Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Bill\_Door](#): > > That’s longer than the “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” story; but it’s every bit as sad. So your sole “contribution” was to take a pot shot at another poster? Don’t post again in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/56 "2019-02-25T00:27:17Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Why specifically am I wrong for suggesting clear delivery instructions? What exactly is my mental or moral deficiency in this matter? > > I agree, this _should not_ be a problem. It often _can_ be a problem. Mental…moral…? You are only deficient in this one way: The thread is devoted to why this would happen, not to my response to it. I already know that if I make an issue out of it I can adress the problem in some way. I graduated from high school and everything. If it “should not be a problem”, (your words) and it is, (by our agreement) then there is some rock that hasn’t got turned over yet, and it is not about my response to it. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/57 "2019-02-25T00:49:48Z")
One other possible explanation I thought of – you noted earlier that you live in a college town. College students are notoriously bad tippers; if the places where you’d ordered from frequently cater to college students, that might help explain why you’ve had issues – it could be that your delivery drivers don’t feel it’s worth their time to do anything beyond the bare minimum. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/58 "2019-02-25T03:47:37Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Clearly you’re a person who hasn’t tried Domino’s pizza. It may not be the worst pizza in the world, but it’s close. I probably have it once or twice a year. I have a bigger issue with their (former?) owner’s political and religious views than I do with the quality of their pizza. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/59 "2019-02-25T03:50:07Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > The big secret to the restaurant industry is that the people who spit in your food are going to spit in your food regardless of what you do. They spread that rumor to keep the serfs in check paranoid at all times the slightest inconvenience will cause a food retaliation when really people fuck with food for no solid reason besides general malice. Man asks for ketchup in his burger instead of mustard? Spit. Boss says you have to clean the bathroom? Spit. > Woman customer isn’t that good looking? Spit. Some people just have a natural sick sense of fun. It’s largely an urban legend, and anyone who really did this should be fired immediately upon discovery. When I was in college, one of the cooks at the restaurant where I worked said that a couple years earlier, Gerald Ford had stayed at the adjoining hotel and someone put a pubic hair in his burger. :dubious: He wouldn’t say who the culprit was, which makes me think he was making it all up. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065/60 "2019-02-25T19:02:35Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Clearly you’re a person who hasn’t tried Domino’s pizza. It may not be the worst pizza in the world, but it’s close. I thought you had a problem with them getting pizza 3 out of 4 Fridays. My family got pizza every Thursday for my entire childhood, but it was from a proper pizzeria with a little white haired Italian guy answering the phone. Dodged a bullet there. Back to the OP, yes delivery is to your door, not the door of your building. Seriously, if I have to put on shoes to get my food, you’re not getting a tip\*. \*FTR, I’m a big weenie and would probably meet you to get my food at the street corner, in a rainstorm, with tip in hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-restaurant-delivery-mean-inside-the-building-to-your-door/830065.md?page=4)