# Tipping for Take Out **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515 "2011-11-30T00:59:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/1 "2011-11-30T00:59:47Z")
Do you tip for take out? Why do I feel like I am supposed to? Any insiders or restaurant workers want to give some input on this matter? My head says no…but I feel guilty if I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/2 "2011-11-30T01:04:33Z")
I usually put a dollar in the tip jar at Subway or the Chinese restaurant. If we get something delivered (pizza or Wing King), we give the driver a couple of dollars… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/3 "2011-11-30T01:06:02Z")
I usually tip something like 10%. I figure most people give nothing, so that’ll put me on their good side. I tend to be a regular at a few places. My take-out is usually $20 - $30. If it’s just for me, I’ll usually get enough for 2 or 3 meals. So I tip a few bucks. ETA: I’m talking about places that don’t have tip jars. Like Chinese or Thai take out-- you go to the service counter and get your bag. No tip jar. ---
**Author:** ![Patience\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@Patience\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patience_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/4 "2011-11-30T01:06:11Z")
If we go pick something up, no. If we have something delivered, I do a full 20%. ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/5 "2011-11-30T01:14:07Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I usually tip something like 10%. I figure most people give nothing, so that’ll put me on their good side. I tend to be a regular at a few places. > > My take-out is usually $20 - $30. If it’s just for me, I’ll usually get enough for 2 or 3 meals. So I tip a few bucks. > > ETA: I’m talking about places that don’t have tip jars. Like Chinese or Thai take out-- you go to the service counter and get your bag. No tip jar. Our Chinese place has just a counter and a few tables also. They do have a big plastic soup container that says, “TIPS, thank you” on it… ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/6 "2011-11-30T01:17:13Z")
Generally, for pizza and sandwiches I don’t (don’t ask me why) whereas meals/dinners from restaurants, I do… just a dollar or two (don’t ask me why). ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/7 "2011-11-30T01:19:09Z")
No. I have to pay a fee and (gladly) tip if someone brings food from a restaurant to my door. I’m not going to pay extra for me being that person. I do tip like a dollar if there is a “curbside takeaway” and someone brings my order to my car. That’s worth a bit. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/8 "2011-11-30T01:23:51Z")
I used to tip a dollar on takeout, but then I stopped. I will always tip well for delivery and for table service, but for something I am picking up? No tips anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/9 "2011-11-30T01:31:01Z")
My general rule is, if something brings something to me, I’ll tip. So, pizza delivery, waitress, etc. If I pick it up, no tip. If McDonald’s parks me because they didn’t have enough double quarter pounders with cheese to meet my requirements, then that doesn’t count as bringing something to me; parking me is bad service. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/10 "2011-11-30T02:15:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I usually tip something like 10%. I figure most people give nothing, so that’ll put me on their good side. I tend to be a regular at a few places. Ditto. Since I tend to order out at least once a week from my regular spots, they learn to recognize me and accommodate any special requests without issue. Last time I went to the Lebanese place for shawerma and asked for extra vegetables instead of rice, I got a free glass of wine while I was waiting and an entire extra container of vegetables in exchange for a spoonful of rice. That alone makes it worth it to round up to $25 on a $22 order. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/11 "2011-11-30T03:07:29Z")
> [@missinformation](#): > > Our Chinese place has just a counter and a few tables also. They do have a big plastic soup container that says, “TIPS, thank you” on it… Wow. You’re place understands plural! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/12 "2011-11-30T03:18:12Z")
Since I’m the one picking it up, sometimes I give myself a dollar for my trouble. And if I’m feeling crass, a pat on the ass as I walk away with my food. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/13 "2011-11-30T03:20:44Z")
The idea is that when you order take-out from a restaurant, someone has to box, pack, and double-check your order. This can often be time-consuming and take away from the employee’s other duties, like seating, hosting, or waiting other tables. This is why I tip 10% on take-out orders. Obviously, this doesn’t apply at places like fast food, or places that are primarily take-out joints. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/14 "2011-11-30T03:22:17Z")
If I’m doing all of the work? No. If it’s a buffet style, or if it’s delivered I tip a few bucks, full 20% is reserved for waitresses and other service personnel (hairstylists etc). ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/15 "2011-11-30T09:21:06Z")
I generally give the change if they have a jar. The percentage varies widely because of this. Larger orders will get ‘change’ in form of dollar bills. I feel no obligation to tip on take out so if they are anything less then pleasant in the exchange I’d pocket everything. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/16 "2011-11-30T09:55:15Z")
Take out – no tip Delivery – ~$1.5 (5 NIS); doesn’t matter what has been delivered or whether or not I even ordered it (e.g., if someone sends us flowers the Delivery Person still gets the standard tip) I am in Israel, where tipping exists but at generally far lower levels than US expectations (e.g, 15% at a sit-down restaurant for dinner is “adequate+”. 20% is for **really, exceptionally good** service.) ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/17 "2011-11-30T10:07:24Z")
I tip if there’s a tip jar on the counter, at very least coin change if I’m paying cash. I only have one regular takeout place, and I always leave at least a dollar. Their food (soul food, mmmm green and sweet potatoes and the most awesome deep fried green beans) is always stellar and the staff remember me and are super-friendly. Pizza deivery, $3.00 is standard. I’m a bit off the beaten path and only one, maybe two places deliver. If the roads are vile or icy, I’ll tip at least $4.00. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/18 "2011-11-30T11:10:48Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > I am in Israel, where tipping exists but at generally far lower levels than US expectations (e.g, 15% at a sit-down restaurant for dinner is “adequate+”. 20% is for **really, exceptionally good** service.) Do you mean in Isreal? 'Cos that’s similar to the United States. Sure, there are lots of people that say you must tip 20%, that you’re a jerk if you don’t, etc., but the standard is still 15% as far as I know. For the record, I usually tip 20% and round up to the next buck, including tax, so I’m a fairly generous tipper. But then again, I frequent the same haunts all the time. If I’m passing through a town, I’ll do the same at 15% (even though with my method it’s technically still higher than 15%). Of course except here, in China, I don’t tip anything. ---
**Author:** ![Teufelblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@Teufelblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teufelblitz)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/19 "2011-11-30T12:08:32Z")
There is a Chinese place I frequent where I try to tip, but whenever I do the lady behind the counter always slips an extra soda or something in my bag. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515/20 "2011-11-30T12:42:16Z")
I never tip on take out, should I? 😕 I am already paying too much for mediocre chinese t/o , i suppose I could tip him in surplus soy sauce packets - really he is too mean and grumpy for me to even want to tip. I know someplaces tack on a “takeout charge” maybe that is to cover the cost of their styrofoam clamshell, plastic fork and 1 ply napkin. Now I feel sorta bad I havent’ been tipping at my favoritie pizza takeout - But it’s usually the owner taking care of bizness, so like in a hair salon I’ve read that one should not tip the owner (why is that?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-take-out/604515.md?page=2)