These days, people often encounter unexpected situations. For example, stopping to order takeout may result in an unexpected screen. This screen doesn’t just pay for your order, it asks for a tip. Sometimes cafeterias ask for this as well, and this request can be embarrassing.
Now, many customers feel differently about this trend. Chris Nordstrom mentioned it caught him off guard. He said he doesn’t mind tipping where appropriate, it’s the places where he’s asked to tip that he feels uneasy about. Fast food restaurants are not places to tip.
A survey by the Pew Research Centre showed that only 12% of people tip at fast food restaurants. That doesn’t mean customers refuse to tip, it’s just that most people associate tipping with the quality of service they receive. So this creates confusion about the takeout situation.
One person on Reddit has a simple principle. He says, ‘If I pay before I eat, I don’t tip.’ He used this rule to draw a line in the sand with the structure of the transaction. Another Reddit user felt strongly about this. For fast food restaurants, they say tips are immediately zero unless the worker is paid less than minimum wage.
However, restaurant workers typically make minimum wage. Information provided by the National Restaurant Association shows this. Most fast food restaurants pay the federal minimum wage. Chris Nordstrom details his personal approach to tipping. He does not usually tip at fast food restaurants. He only tips when an employee’s service goes far beyond what is required.
But some people hold other views on this. People who work in service sometimes have different views. Blair Dubinsky shares an opposing view. If it’s okay to tip, she’s happy to do it. Her perspective stems from the fact that dealing with people is not an easy job. She doesn’t mind tipping if she can thank them.
History adds another dimension to understanding tipping. Sarah Aynesworth says that tipping is unique in the United States. She mentions that the origins of tipping were during the Prohibition era. At the time, ‘TIP’ meant ‘to ensure promptness’ and people paid extra to have their drinks delivered faster. This origin later associated tipping with faster or better service. This concept indicated that tipping was more appropriate for proactive service.
Aynesworth also discusses the issue of how much to tip, and that she doesn’t always follow the customary 20 per cent. She noted that this amount is actually for sit-down service. Someone who will refill your water and give you a proper experience. And at fast food restaurants, you pay mostly for speed.
Now, digital screens introduce a new tipping dynamic. They usually display a suggested tipping percentage. Pay close attention to these numbers displayed. Because sometimes, they ask for a larger tip than the usual amount.
Chris Nordstrom has noticed that the automatic tipping option continues to climb, sometimes as high as 25%. This trend adds extra pressure on people, and tipping on very few interactions can feel like too much. Being asked for a tip creates social pressure and feels weird. He feels that social guilt has overtaken the spirit of tipping.
Confusion isn’t limited to fast food restaurants, either. Most people are generally aware of the rules for tipping while dining. But for takeout pickup, the guidelines are less clear. Does bagging a takeout order require a full tip?
Gottsman shares her personal preference for kindness. If possible, she would like everyone to tip a little. Even such a small gesture goes a long way. Chef David Guas is adamant that takeout orders should be tipped. His view comes from his own operation, and for counter service businesses like his, everyone has a part to play. Both front and back of house employees contribute to the ordering process, and they all deserve thanks for their efforts.
Gina Chersevani agrees that takeout tips are always appreciated. They leave it up to the customer to decide whether or not to tip. Regardless, customers generally add a 15 to 20 per cent tip. It’s a gesture that shows employees are valued, and it’s positive feedback for their hard work.
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Toast is an online app that gives percentages. For a regular takeaway, it’s 10 to 15 per cent. It’s a sign of respect for the work that went into packing the order. But it’s not the same as a full table service, and complex orders may require more.
If you have a large takeaway, consider tipping them twenty per cent. The staff will collect a lot for you and they will double check everything before you leave.
If it’s just a small thing like a cup of coffee, the tip may vary. Usually a dollar or two will do.Toast suggests tipping for very small interactions.
Sarah Aynesworth Expert agrees.20 per cent mainly for sit-down dining. You can get services such as water refills this way. In fast food restaurants, you pay for the fast food itself. The service is also quick.
Takeout tipping has also changed. Platforms like DoorDash are different. It’s more like the tips given to pizza clerks long ago. Many delivery drivers rely on tips and they are their main income.
GrubHub offers specific tips for drivers. Twenty per cent is standard if the weather is good, and drivers rely on this high percentage. Delivery is very convenient for you, which is why it’s important to tip more.
GrubHub also states that tips cannot be less than five dollars. This is true even for small orders. A minimum tip amount helps drivers pay for their time, which is the petrol and effort they pay to deliver your food. It’s their livelihood.
Both apps suggest tipping more sometimes. For example, if the weather is bad, add more money. Also, if the order is large or the takeout is hard to find. They both suggest tipping more to show you appreciate their hard work.
Tipping extends to other services besides food. Sometimes people are caught off guard unexpectedly. There are also different standards for drinking at a bar. If it’s a complex drink, the tip may be a little more. If the bartender works very hard, a twenty per cent tip is deserved. It shows their skill in bartending or managing a large number of customers. Because they are busy on those nights.
An effort to understand the complex power of modern money could be helpful in such a more open discussion of worker pay. These discussions might allow businesses and customers to make better adjustments. The current tipping culture clearly highlights a change in society.
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Restaurant tipping etiquette: Should you tip for fast food or takeout?
Should you tip for fast food or takeout?
Should You Tip On Takeout Orders?
