Tipping - how would you tip in this scenario?

[Anonymous]

Not in DC - table service but menu and ordering is all via your phone so you just have a person drop off whatever you order. Ordering a bit annoying because it doesn’t allow much customization. They bus your table after you leave. Pay bill via phone - preset tips are 18%, 20%, or 22% - or fill in your own amount. I am genuinely curious how others would tip in this scenario.

For normal sit down places my standard is 20%, 30% for great service. I didn’t feel like much of a tip was justified here but the preset options really threw me. I tipped 15%.

[Anonymous]

I agree with with what you did. I would have done the same.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the level and quality of table service. If they are stopping by to ask if we need anything or answer questions, refilling waters, bringing silverware, etc. then I'm going to tip 15-20%. If they really just drop off food, I would probably tip 10%. If it's a fast casual place and they drop off food I probably would not tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the level and quality of table service. If they are stopping by to ask if we need anything or answer questions, refilling waters, bringing silverware, etc. then I'm going to tip 15-20%. If they really just drop off food, I would probably tip 10%. If it's a fast casual place and they drop off food I probably would not tip.

Fair point - food was ~$30 for an entree, $15 for an app, $15 for a mixed drink - so higher end of moderately priced, definitely not fast casual. But we were not offered waters, no chatting when they dropped things off, had to really work to flag down someone for a box at the end of the dinner.

[Anonymous]

10% seems fair here. It’s not a fast food place where you don’t tip but you are not really getting table service, which would be 20, so split the difference.

[Anonymous]

10% if u see them once - this is similar to a buffet if that is the case in that I see no need to give a normal waitress tip.

15% or up to 18 if they bring the food and are doing drink refills, etc.

[Anonymous]

10% max

[Anonymous]

I just went to a place like that in Rockville. I tipped 15%.

[Anonymous]

It's like at grocery stores when you check yourself out, ask for 10% off since you did the job. Maybe the idea is to keep prices lower, get you to order faster since you know how to order better than a server?!
Customization? This "have it your way" needs to stop. Burger King, I think it was Burger King, needs a slap in the face for that. Do you really need to work in restaurant to understand why it's so wrong? You want to customize, you stay home and customize. The idea of going out is trying someone else's creation. What seems easy for you, is a nightmare for the kitchen.
Another one, stop with the oatmilk already! Who started with the oatmilk? We cannot possibly keep in stock ever damn thing that is called milk. Go to Starbucks, they probably have your oatmilk.
There are different ways to behave in different restaurants. The minute you walk into one, there are a lot of clues how to behave. 15% is fine, OP. This ordering yourself might be the future soon and we adjust our behavior accordingly.
Was the food cheaper because there were less workers? If so, you saved some money, and then you saved some more because your 15% was smaller and then you saved some more because you only tipped 15%.
Restaurant workers would rather you stay at home right now because there's plenty of work and not enough of us to do it. You should come out to eat and enjoy the food and not show that you can get away with 15% tip and here are you excuses. Concentrate on the food and the experience. They all won't be awesome, but it happens.
I want people to have fun; sit down, enjoy your food, drinks and company. If you have something to say to the server, say it, but don't do it by tipping less. I have no idea why you would tip 15% unless something went wrong and then it's pretty clear. The rest of the time, you are just cheap. The worst part is, the cheap people always come back.
Stay home.You are not doing anyone a favor. We have people quitting because of you.

[Anonymous]

No more than 10.

[Anonymous]

This is a troll thread. And very boring!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a troll thread. And very boring!

I don’t know if this is a troll thread but QR ordering is becoming popular and it’s good to hear others perspectives on tipping in these situations.

[Anonymous]

10% seems more than fair.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't tip in this situation. They didn't do anything for you. This tipping culture is getting out of hand

[Anonymous]

i think 10 is plenty in that case.

you can't downgrade the service and then expect people to tip the "servers."