Is $1 an adequate tip for one to-go lunch meal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I refuse to tip more unless it's table service. For to go, they are doing the same amount of work as fast food workers who never get tipped.

The same gal puts orders together, answers phones, and seats people. She seems to be busting her fanny, so sometimes I want to leave more is all. $1 isn't what it used to be. Probably feels more like someone leaving me a 25 cent quarter 25 years ago.

To be clear, this thread is about a to-go order, not dining in. My order is always just one sandwich or one salad or one pasta dish. And sometimes I'll add a fresh cookie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I refuse to tip more unless it's table service. For to go, they are doing the same amount of work as fast food workers who never get tipped.

The same gal puts orders together, answers phones, and seats people. She seems to be busting her fanny, so sometimes I want to leave more is all. $1 isn't what it used to be. Probably feels more like someone leaving me a 25 cent quarter 25 years ago.

To be clear, this thread is about a to-go order, not dining in. My order is always just one sandwich or one salad or one pasta dish. And sometimes I'll add a fresh cookie.

What do you think the person manning the drive through during lunch is doing? Do you think that’s less work?

[Anonymous]

If I'm going somewhere twice a week and paying $12-16, then I'm giving about $5 as a tip most of the time and maybe once a month paying with a $20 and telling them to keep the change. I value building relationships and sometimes you do that through tips.

[Anonymous]

If you had to make a post, you probably know it's too cheap for a regular. You don't mind the owners getting mark-up every time, but you short the worker, because you can.
You cannot pay less for the sandwich, but you can tip less which you are doing.
That said, I think it's ok, as long as you get in and out fast and don't ask too many questions. You clearly can afford take-out food often. What about you get the for 4 times, but tip a little more.

[Anonymous]

For that? $0 tip from me.

Enough with all of the ridiculous tipping.

[Anonymous]

If it’s a store you want to stick around for awhile then I’d be as generous as is comfortable for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somewhere you eat repeatedly? $2. Maybe $5 once in a while. If you are getting lunch out that much, you have the money. Otherwise by lunchmeat and stay home.

Crap like this is why tipping is actually decreasing across the board https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/business/tipping-trends/index.html

Crap like… what? Wanting a decent relationship with people who serve you twice a week?

[Anonymous]

I'd tip $2 just because I'm paranoid about places messing with my food or not making it well when they see no tip or a cheap tip.

I ordered a pizza a few weeks ago for carryout and somehow missed the tip box on their website. The pizza was terrible & a total mess - baked so well done that it was burnt with hardly any cheese on it. I'm convinced it happened b/c I didn't tip. I've ordered from them before and the food has never been like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I refuse to tip more unless it's table service. For to go, they are doing the same amount of work as fast food workers who never get tipped.

The same gal puts orders together, answers phones, and seats people. She seems to be busting her fanny, so sometimes I want to leave more is all. $1 isn't what it used to be. Probably feels more like someone leaving me a 25 cent quarter 25 years ago.

To be clear, this thread is about a to-go order, not dining in. My order is always just one sandwich or one salad or one pasta dish. And sometimes I'll add a fresh cookie.

What do you think the person manning the drive through during lunch is doing? Do you think that’s less work?

Fast food places are far more automated and have far more employees. And presumably in theory offer better benefits to employees than some independent bakery/cafe.

[Anonymous]

I tipped $1 for lunch today as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I'm going somewhere twice a week and paying $12-16, then I'm giving about $5 as a tip most of the time and maybe once a month paying with a $20 and telling them to keep the change. I value building relationships and sometimes you do that through tips.

That seems a little over the top. But I suppose at the end of the day we're only talking about $1 vs $4 to $8 twice a week. Pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things...

[Anonymous]

yes. tipping is out of control. when people making well over a waitresses 2.13 per hour are asking for tips, the answer is no.

you want me to tip you 12 dollars for entering my order into the cash register. NOPE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd tip $2 just because I'm paranoid about places messing with my food or not making it well when they see no tip or a cheap tip.

I ordered a pizza a few weeks ago for carryout and somehow missed the tip box on their website. The pizza was terrible & a total mess - baked so well done that it was burnt with hardly any cheese on it. I'm convinced it happened b/c I didn't tip. I've ordered from them before and the food has never been like that.

I’ve had similar experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes. tipping is out of control. when people making well over a waitresses 2.13 per hour are asking for tips, the answer is no.

you want me to tip you 12 dollars for entering my order into the cash register. NOPE!

? Do you go grab your food out of the kitchen then box & bag it with whatever extras it needs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somewhere you eat repeatedly? $2. Maybe $5 once in a while. If you are getting lunch out that much, you have the money. Otherwise by lunchmeat and stay home.

Crap like this is why tipping is actually decreasing across the board https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/business/tipping-trends/index.html

Crap like… what? Wanting a decent relationship with people who serve you twice a week?

Crap like ridiculous tipping. You can have a decent relationship with anybody and it doesn’t need to involve a tip.