Should You Tip for Take-Out?
You’re caught in the awkward space where you see the tip line and the take-out cashier is watching you as you consider it. Find out what to do here.
There have been many great debates in history: Coke vs. Pepsi, Jordan vs. LeBron (Jordan, by the way), thick crust vs. thin crust pizza. But one that’s near and dear to my heart is: Should you tip for take-out?
Thankfully, I’m not alone in feeling confused when faced with a “Gratuity” line on the receipt after I swipe my credit card. Here’s my biggest issue with this transaction: You only see the “Gratuity” section on the receipt when you pay by credit card. If I pay by cash, they just hand me the receipt, or place it in the bag, without a second thought. But when you have to sign the credit card receipt, you are caught in an awkward space where you see the tip line, and the cashier is watching you as you consider it. This is not fair. In fact, it’s a bit of trickery. They’re never going to say, “Where’s my tip?” but when there is a line for a Tip that you both know you plainly see, it’s hard to ignore it. So they are getting away with pressuring you without having to say anything. It’s like someone drooling next to you while you eat a delicious piece of cake, but who doesn’t want to ask you for a bite.
So here’s the rule, folks: You always tip based on the service that was done. Period.
And you are the judge of that service. For example, if someone rings you up, and all they did was hand you a bag—that doesn’t justify a tip. Even if they got you a soda, while you pulled out your wallet, that doesn’t count.  If that’s the case, then the people at the movie theater concession stand do more! That guy actually has to scoop my popcorn, then get my drink, then take my money. The restaurant cashier just handed me a bag that someone in the back boxed up. In these situations, do not feel guilty for leaving the Tip line blank.
However, if there was an actual service being done that was beyond standard business practice of just handing me what I paid for, then you tip on that service. Take curbside delivery for example. This is when you pull up to the restaurant and an employee meets you at the curb with your food. This justifies a tip. Maybe a small tip, but a tip nonetheless. Another situation is when you physically witness the busy cashier working all ends of the place—taking orders, packing food, taking money, etc.—and doing it all with a smile, then they are worthy of a tip. But again, this is based on the level of difficulty and the quality of service received.
In the end, a tip in the take-out world is something extra—not a guarantee. Waiters and waitresses are in a different situation. Tips are actually part of their income. But if someone pushed a few buttons and handed me a bag when I could have easily just reached and got it by myself, they should get $5 of my hard-earned money? I don’t think so. Tips are earned and I am always annoyed when we feel like we’re being guilt tripped into tipping someone when you—and they—know there was no assistance.
Always tip on how well a service was provided—be it big or small. You’re the judge, so choose wisely.
Do you have a great story about take-out tipping? Post all the details in the comment section below or on the Modern Manners Guy Facebook page.
As always, if you have another manners question, I look forward to hearing from you at manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Follow me on Twitter @MannersQDT, and of course, check back next week for more Modern Manners Guy tips for a more polite life.
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Takeout Lunch from Getty Images, Noodles with Pork and Vegetables image courtesy of Shutterstock