Tipping at Fast Food Places

[tbm5690]

Some people are generous. What about Costco in our area asking for donations to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia? That is a ton of people they’re hitting up because it’s every Costco I’ve been to in my area.

In my parents’ time they said, “I gave at the office.” Not sure why. Seriously.

Today, no explanation is needed. I don’t need to tell anyone that by coincidence I send that entity a donation. That’s between me and CHoP.

This just made me think of my first job. We were encouraged to donate to the United Way. I happen to not like them. Then, and now. Scandals.

But what my employer did was to suggest 5% of income. Back then it was written on a form. The form was printed on neon paper. You dropped the form off after writing your amount. If you walked out without contributing, you had a neon paper in your hand. That wouldn’t fly today but it was 1993.

Nobody has to give anything they don’t want to. But sometimes understand there’s a human with a face and a name who happens to work in the service industry, and part of their earnings are tips.

Agreed...doesn't need to be a public affair. I say no to every donation ask, even the rounding up to the nearest dollar types. The cashier probably thinks negatively, but they don't see the big picture. Don't let your left hand see what your right hand is doing...

 

[John105]

Agreed...doesn't need to be a public affair. I say no to every donation ask, even the rounding up to the nearest dollar types. The cashier probably thinks negatively, but they don't see the big picture. Don't let your left hand see what your right hand is doing...

Nothing wrong with saying no…politely I might add. If the other party were to get aggressive, probably walking away makes sense.

I rarely check credit card charges to make sure they’re accurate with tip. But in 30 years, I can only think of 2 mistakes when I did check. A Ponderosa (remember them) had no tip added when I added a tip to the paper receipt.

A Chinese takeout added a $10 tip to a pickup order that was maybe $30 (implies it was a long time ago ). That made me angry and I disputed the $10.

One time my dad left the appropriate amount but added wrongly. He meant to leave a $15 tip but added $150 so the total was $135 too high, The establishment used a correct total.

Everything should have a reasonable outcome. I think it’s ok to have a screen for a tip and $0 as a choice. Some will add a tip, others won’t. In the case of takeout, I choose $0. My wife would choose a $ amount, not a %. Say a takeout order were $100. She wouldn’t tip $18 or $20 as she would dining in. She’d probably add $3. Maybe $5.

 

[SC Maintenance]

There to me is clearly a difference between a tip, and asking for money for charity. I don't care for either at retail doing so but do clearly understand the difference.

In the old days occupations that were expected to make a significant amount in tips had a lower minimum wage, and fast food was not one of those. A tip was supposed to be for personalized service. If I order at a counter and someone hands me a bag, to me its no longer personalized service, so I really shouldn't be expected to tip. Having said that I tend to add something to the bill at this point. I usually don't accept their 15, 18 or 20%. I put in a custom tip. Last night I tipped $5 on a $50 counter order. I have succumbed I guess. I loose, they win.

Makes me wish to eat out less though, and I do eat out less now.

 

[Zee09]

Sadly here in MD and PA I tip the state. Sales tax on take out food.
I'm am totally against any sales tax on any food period. Delaware doesn't have that problem.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Sadly here in MD and PA I tip the state. Sales tax on take out food.
I'm am totally against any sales tax on any food period. Delaware doesn't have that problem.

South Carolina also taxes prepared food. I agree with you, but they always will get their cut.

 

[Zee09]

South Carolina also taxes prepared food. I agree with you, but they always will get their cut.

You didn't need to bash me on a public forum

 

[I<3oil]

Hey, everybody here makes fun of me when I say I get the newspaper delivered every day. Now I get to make fun of people paying cash. And no, cash hasn't disappeared, just like newspapers haven't.

In no universe are those 2 things even remotely close to the same. Luddites should be made fun of. People carrying cash aren't luddites.

 

[dishdude]

I don't trust tipping on carry out orders. Who gets that money? The people working the counter? The kitchen staff? The owner?

 

[Rmay635703]

I don't trust tipping on carry out orders. Who gets that money? The people working the counter? The kitchen staff? The owner?

The owner skims it more often than not, that’s why tipping via the screen at subway can be problematic. Also the box stores with tip functions on at self checkout is particularly egregious.

My most recent experience was a place with the screen having mandatory tips 20% and above and no means to tip less or not at all
definitely pay cash there since I can’t actually choose

 

[John105]

There to me is clearly a difference between a tip, and asking for money for charity. I don't care for either at retail doing so but do clearly understand the difference.

In the old days occupations that were expected to make a significant amount in tips had a lower minimum wage, and fast food was not one of those. A tip was supposed to be for personalized service. If I order at a counter and someone hands me a bag, to me its no longer personalized service, so I really shouldn't be expected to tip. Having said that I tend to add something to the bill at this point. I usually don't accept their 15, 18 or 20%. I put in a custom tip. Last night I tipped $5 on a $50 counter order. I have succumbed I guess. I loose, they win.

Makes me wish to eat out less though, and I do eat out less now.

In the late 80’s I made $2.xx per hour as a waiter in NYS (below minimum wage). They told us we “must” estimate tips such that we would make about $3.50 if not $4/hr. I’m trying to think about this…ok believe it or not we got about $10 hr in tips if we met our goal of $300/week. So we were attempting to net $6/hr tax free.

The craziest thing was health care was an option . No idea what it may have cost but I wasn’t interested I was young and strong like a guy out of a Bob Seger tune haha

 

[LDB]

Not following but the theme seems to be tip avoidance? It says ymmv so not bothering to reread or figure it out

Pointing out that cash can be, and often is, the better option.

 

[dishdude]

My most recent experience was a place with the screen having mandatory tips 20% and above and no means to tip less or not at all
definitely pay cash there since I can’t actually choose

I would have walked out. I don't mind tipping for sit down meals, haircuts and other similar services....but take out or retail stores?

 

[GON]

 

[John105]

View attachment 225514

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel, a deep burning pain in my side…

 

[drtyler]

The food pictures on that menu look bad enough to walk out and go somewhere else. They should have put more effort into those instead of that silly tip sign.

View attachment 225514

 

[atikovi]

View attachment 225514

Is that edgar in the kitchen?

 

[GON]

 

[andrew_j]

Be kind to help.

A woman picked up a $300 order and left no tip for staff where daughter works. She was quite nasty and scowled at them tipping however left tip screen open when she jerk screen back.

Her coworker poked 25% tip…

 

[SeaJay]

Is it just me, or are you guys tired of the "tipping" thing everywhere when you pay for fast food?

I've found the best way to avoid the "turn around the screen to me" intimidation tactic is to pay cash.

Anyone else?

Yep, I use cash and always carry small bills and let them keep any leftover coins, but nothing more. Also, it is a pain to have to use a car and then to also make selections and press buttons with the possibility of selecting an option I did not want to select. With a smile I tell them they can keep the change of less than $1 since all it is is coins.

 

[bullwinkle]

Went to Steak n Shake for a quickie lunch yesterday. It is now a Work A Raunt and the largest full screen image on the Kiosk is a full screen full of tipping instructions, I picked up the food at the window, and bussed the table. I did the work but they want a tip. Really

I just whip out o couple bucks and give it to my awesome waiter… ME!!