You didn't tip for X in 2003 or 2013 -- should you tip for X in 2023? (6 Viewers)

[Doug B]

Based on this cartoon from the Funny Memes thread:



Dago responded:

I honestly don't understand why this is getting people's knickers in a twist. Is it really that hard to press "No Tip" on a computer screen? I can't recall ever having an employee attempt to push me into tipping them in traditionally non-tipping situations with computer check-out

Certainly a worthwhile discussion, but not for the Funny Memes thread.

I would say it's a lot harder for most people to decline to tip if you are essentially asked for one. And if it's the kind of place you like to visit often ... you WILL be remembered as a non-tipper. Maybe their staff turns over a lot and it doesn't matter. Maybe not.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I've seen a couple machines where there was no option for "no tip", and a few more where 20% was the lowest option

 

[buzd]

I've seen a couple machines where there was no option for "no tip", and a few more where 20% was the lowest option

I don't know if it's never there, but sometimes "custom" is in very small print in the corner of the screen and you really have to make an effort to go that route.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I've also talked about before how I never used to tip for take out.

I always thought in restaurants the tip wasn't for bringing me the food (that's the bare minimum the job requires), it was for everything else, bringing the food promptly, keeping the drinks filled, clearing the table etc.

For take out I drove out there to pick the order up all you did was hand the bag to me so no tip.

It was my girlfriend that got me take out tipping, been doing it so long it's now second nature but I still wonder what exactly I'm tipping for

 

[buzd]

It was my girlfriend that got me take out tipping, been doing it so long it's now second nature but I still wonder what exactly I'm tipping for

There is quite a bit that happens between when the kitchen produces your food and it is wrapped and ready for you to pick up.

Add to that (for better or worse) that the government makes certain assumptions about tip amounts based on sales amounts, so the mere act of service staff ringing something up makes certain assumptions about tip amounts.

And also, servers do a bunch of prep work - rolling silverware (or plastic ware), folding pizza boxes, prepping condiments (filling ramekins with salsa, for example) etc etc. If they are handing that stuff for takeout, they should be tipped for that also.

So there are things. I'm not arguing right or wrong or what it's worth, but there are a lot of things that go into preparing food for takeout that you would miss if they didn't happen.

 

[SWJJ]

transactional services = no tip
counter service (where they clean up a mess I leave) = 10% tip
to go at a full service restaurant = 15%
Full service restaurant = 20%

These are my baseline minimums, but I do go up depending on the level of service provided or my inebriation level.

 

[Doug B]

It was my girlfriend that got me take out tipping, been doing it so long it's now second nature but I still wonder what exactly I'm tipping for

In table-service restaurant that does take-out as a sideline, you're tipping for the extra handling of your takeout order. "What extra?", you might ask.

It likely comes out of the kitchen on plates, as if it's going to a table. There will be someone -- often a waiter working the take-out shift or else a bartender -- that will take everything off of plates and place it as neatly as possible into take-out containers. Then the cutlery, then the bagging.

For places where take-out service is part of their main gig, a lot of that processing is streamlined (food might not be plated, for example). But you're still paying for goodwill and the overall idea that you want to be a welcome sight at a place you like and go to often.

Admittedly, there can be a lot less incentive to tip for take-out when going somewhere you're pretty sure you'll never return. But then if you have the habit, you tip anyway. Maybe (probably?) not as much.

 

[Doug B]

I've seen a couple machines where there was no option for "no tip", and a few more where 20% was the lowest option

I recently ordered take-out pizza from a major chain using their app. Their default tip options (for take-out, now, not delivery) bottom out at 20%. In big red boxes: 20%, 25%, and 30% -- and then an understated "Custom" wording at the bottom.

Once I arrived at the place -- having processed the payment and tip through the app -- I had to sign a credit card receipt for some reason. On THAT in-store receipt ... there was ANOTHER tip line. I wrote in "on card" and added $0.00. Already tipped on the app, so no.

 

[gboudx]

transactional services = no tip
counter service (where they clean up a mess I leave) = 10% tip
to go at a full service restaurant = 15%
Full service restaurant = 20%

These are my baseline minimums, but I do go up depending on the level of service provided or my inebriation level.

I assume plumbers, electricians, painters, service technicians, etc fall under "transactional services". There was 1 that got me when I went to pay for a new water heater, the total was $3300 and there was a tip line with 10% recommended. A $330 tip? I gave the 2 guys $20 each.

We also tip the lady that cuts our hair.

 

[Doug B]

I assume plumbers, electricians, painters, service technicians, etc fall under "transactional services". There was 1 that got me when I went to pay for a new water heater, the total was $3300 and there was a tip line with 10% recommended. A $330 tip? I gave the 2 guys $20 each.

I've not seen a tip line -- yet -- on a tradesman's invoice. Nor a moving service invoice (though I've not hired movers in over 20 years).

A little "thank you" seems common with tradesmen and movers (more movers). Tradesmen who are their own proprietors, though, usually don't accept cash tips since they can set their own rates. Accept a 12-pack, or a handle? More likely.

 

[Consigliere]

Sympathize with the OP. The poke bowl place near my office has one of those screens, and the 0% button does not work unless you lean on the whole machine with your body weight. Which I do. I tipped for counter service during Covid because they could have stayed home but now I am with this guy:

 

[Doug B]

transactional services = no tip
counter service (where they clean up a mess I leave) = 10% tip
to go at a full service restaurant = 15%
Full service restaurant = 20%

There's a donut place around here that we visit often (2-3 times a month). We go during their busiest weekend hours (mornings before 11 a.m.) and they are always putting out hot donuts at this time.

The counter service will ask you if you want them to go back to the fryer and get you a hot dozen. IMHO, that's above-and-beyond service and I will give them a 15% tip for that. And also because I go so often and want to be remembered fondly.

Same donut shop during king cake season: They'll put out 10-15 ready-to-go king cakes under the counter. I go in and ask for one, they hand it to me from under the counter, two seconds flat. I might thrown on an extra buck or two, but just as often I don't.

 

[gboudx]

I've not seen a tip line -- yet -- on a tradesman's invoice. Nor a moving service invoice (though I've not hired movers in over 20 years).

A little "thank you" seems common with tradesmen and movers (more movers). Tradesmen who are their own proprietors, though, usually don't accept cash tips since they can set their own rates. Accept a 12-pack, or a handle? More likely.

So far it was the only trade where I saw a tip line. A nice lady in their office called me after to ask how the install went, and if the installers cleaned up well. I told her all was good, but I would not use them again due to the tip line on the invoice. She tried to explain how giving a tip wasn't necessary, to which I explained that putting it on 1 of the screens on their ipad puts in my face and I don't want to have to decide to tip or not tip; especially on such a large transaction.

 

[BayouSAINTJoe]

I once saw a tip line on an Oil change receipt....this is getting waaay out of hand.

 

[SWJJ]

I assume plumbers, electricians, painters, service technicians, etc fall under "transactional services". There was 1 that got me when I went to pay for a new water heater, the total was $3300 and there was a tip line with 10% recommended. A $330 tip? I gave the 2 guys $20 each.

We also tip the lady that cuts our hair.

Delivery and install guys as well as movers get a tip from me, but tradesmen (plumbers and electricians ect) do not.