topic Re: To tip, or not to tip? in Community Chat

To tip, or not to tip?

TenderMercies — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:08:35 GMT

About two months ago, a new restaurant opened right next door to my workplace. My first visit was to have lunch with a friend who I haven’t talked to in a while. This is the type of place where you walk up to the counter, order your food, then the cashier gives you a number that you place on your table as well as cups which you fill up with your drink of choice at a soda fountain. I insisted on paying, and during the payment process with my credit card, the credit card reader asked me if I would like to leave a tip. I was caught off card, didn’t want to be cheap, and didn’t want my friend to think I was cheap, so I left a 20% tip. I didn’t know if we were going to be waited on like a normal restaurant after being seated, or what was ahead.

We filled up our own drinks at the fountain, and our food was dropped off on two trays by a “runner.” We were never waited on again. After the meal, we took our trays to an area with a garbage and basically bussed our stuff like you would at a fast food place. The food is amazing.

I have been back to the restaurant 3 times since that visit, but only to do takeout. Each time that the question of whether or not I want to add a tip comes up as I’m paying, I choose NO, and each time I choose NO, the person who is taking my order lowers their head as if they are ashamed of me.

Remember, the food is amazing, and they’re right next door. Should I go on Yelp and complain? Should I feel bad that maybe this restaurant is not paying their employees enough, and maybe I should be tipping? Should I just deal with the fact that they are shaming me, and get over it? Should I, as a higher up in my company and their neighbor, talk to the owner, pull a Larry David and say to him, “What’s up with the tipping?” What would you do?

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Nancy Drew — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 23:28:18 GMT

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Bri36 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:18:47 GMT

I wouldn't feel compelled to tip in that situation.

We go to a restaurant where you order at the counter and they bring your food to you. We tip the boys because they bring bread and silverware to the table. They clear your dishes away and bring take home containers. We hand them a few bucks in cash.

Panera has that option when you order to add a tip onto the order. I don't tip there.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

september — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:19:23 GMT

I leave a 20 percent tip at full service restaurants, and 10 percent when I order at the counter and they deliver it to the table. Half the service..half the tip.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

sunshine45 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:22:33 GMT

i wont tip on the card, but i would throw in a few dollars into the tip jar. at that type of establishment i would not tip 20%.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

blackhole99 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:30:24 GMT

My husband insists on tipping 20%, but we never tip at Panera, the food is way overrated and there is no service.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

VanSleepy — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:33:04 GMT

I wouldn't go on Yelp and I wouldn't talk to the owner. If they have a tip jar at the counter, put something in there if you feel you should tip. I wouldn't feel I needed to tip anything, though.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Katcat1 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:38:05 GMT

@TenderMercies, That would not shame me. No tip. That is totally ridiculous. No one ever tipped me when I was in retail. Starbucks has a can at the drive thru window. Plus, where is the tip going and to who at that restauant you say the food is so good. So what. No one is waiting on you except for dropping off the food. I am so sick of these places wanting hand outs. It's your job to bring the food. It's your job to make coffee. You got me started. No more tipping from me. So I ranted but I stick by complaint.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

chrystaltree — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:39:12 GMT

Good grief, this post is either very sad or very funny. I'm going with funny....lol So, you were shamed by the cashiers eyes...lol It's a fast food restaurant but there are still people cooking food and loading the trays and taking the trays to the tables and wiping down tables and any manner of other things. They are giving you a CHOICE as to whether you want to tip or not. Your CHOICE would be NO, so what's the problem? YELP certainly can't rectify this for you...lol That's not what YELP does. But in this case, there isn't even an issue. Tipping is never mandatory, it's always voluntary. So the food is delicious and you enjoy going there but draw the line at a few bucks for a tip. Interesting.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

TenderMercies — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:46:59 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Good grief, this post is either very sad or very funny. I'm going with funny....lol So, you were shamed by the cashiers eyes...lol It's a fast food restaurant but there are still people cooking food and loading the trays and taking the trays to the tables and wiping down tables and any manner of other things. They are giving you a CHOICE as to whether you want to tip or not. Your CHOICE would be NO, so what's the problem? YELP certainly can't rectify this for you...lol That's not what YELP does. But in this case, there isn't even an issue. Tipping is never mandatory, it's always voluntary. So the food is delicious and you enjoy going there but draw the line at a few bucks for a tip. Interesting.

@chrystaltreeJust to reiterate, I left a 20% tip when I ate there, but I felt shamed when I didn’t leave a tip when I was doing takeout. The problem is that I don’t think that I should get dirty looks for not tipping when I’m ordering food at a takeout window. I don’t do Starbucks, because I don’t drink caffeine. I don’t have a Panera near me either, so this is the first time I’ve been asked to tip in this scenario. Nothing interesting about it. I’m just new to this situation and working my way through it.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Love my grandkids — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:47:23 GMT

There are a number of places here (not fast food) where I generally call in my order and pick it up.

I LOVE all these places, the people are great and so is the food. I always pay cash in food places and I put a few bucks in the tip jar.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

chrystaltree — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:54:17 GMT

@TenderMercies wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Good grief, this post is either very sad or very funny. I'm going with funny....lol So, you were shamed by the cashiers eyes...lol It's a fast food restaurant but there are still people cooking food and loading the trays and taking the trays to the tables and wiping down tables and any manner of other things. They are giving you a CHOICE as to whether you want to tip or not. Your CHOICE would be NO, so what's the problem? YELP certainly can't rectify this for you...lol That's not what YELP does. But in this case, there isn't even an issue. Tipping is never mandatory, it's always voluntary. So the food is delicious and you enjoy going there but draw the line at a few bucks for a tip. Interesting.
@chrystaltreeJust to reiterate, I left a 20% tip when I ate there, but I felt shamed when I didn’t leave a tip when I was doing takeout. The problem is that I don’t think that I should get dirty looks for not tipping when I’m ordering food at a takeout window. I don’t do Starbucks, because I don’t drink caffeine. I don’t have a Panera near me either, so this is the first time I’ve been asked to tip in this scenario. Nothing interesting about it. I’m just new to this situation and working my way through it.

Sorry, I didn't understand that but it wouldn't have changed my answer. Tipping whatever the situation is a choice. I don't think the cashier gave you a dirty look at all. That's what happens when we try to read minds, we usually get it wrong. Half, if not more than that of customers don't tip at fast food restaurants. The cashier wouldn't even notice.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Kachina624 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:54:24 GMT

If no service is provided to you, I wouldn't even consider tipping. Swabbing the tables is not a service; its a health department requirement. .The cashiers accusatory stare is your conscious; ignore it.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

mousiegirl — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:57:05 GMT

@TenderMercies wrote:
About two months ago, a new restaurant opened right next door to my workplace. My first visit was to have lunch with a friend who I haven’t talked to in a while. This is the type of place where you walk up to the counter, order your food, then the cashier gives you a number that you place on your table as well as cups which you fill up with your drink of choice at a soda fountain. I insisted on paying, and during the payment process with my credit card, the credit card reader asked me if I would like to leave a tip. I was caught off card, didn’t want to be cheap, and didn’t want my friend to think I was cheap, so I left a 20% tip. I didn’t know if we were going to be waited on like a normal restaurant after being seated, or what was ahead.

We filled up our own drinks at the fountain, and our food was dropped off on two trays by a “runner.” We were never waited on again. After the meal, we took our trays to an area with a garbage and basically bussed our stuff like you would at a fast food place. The food is amazing.

I have been back to the restaurant 3 times since that visit, but only to do takeout. Each time that the question of whether or not I want to add a tip comes up as I’m paying, I choose NO, and each time I choose NO, the person who is taking my order lowers their head as if they are ashamed of me.

Remember, the food is amazing, and they’re right next door. Should I go on Yelp and complain? Should I feel bad that maybe this restaurant is not paying their employees enough, and maybe I should be tipping? Should I just deal with the fact that they are shaming me, and get over it? Should I, as a higher up in my company and their neighbor, talk to the owner, pull a Larry David and say to him, “What’s up with the tipping?” What would you do?

@TenderMercies I would not tip at a restaurant that is self serve, and they have a nerve asking for a tip.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

TenderMercies — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:57:11 GMT

@Kachina624 @chrystaltree I don’t think you can really determine whether or not the cashiers’ looks were just in my head, since neither of you were there.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

Kachina624 — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:01:39 GMT

@TenderMercies. I think it's a safe assumption.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

mousiegirl — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:01:57 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Good grief, this post is either very sad or very funny. I'm going with funny....lol So, you were shamed by the cashiers eyes...lol It's a fast food restaurant but there are still people cooking food and loading the trays and taking the trays to the tables and wiping down tables and any manner of other things. They are giving you a CHOICE as to whether you want to tip or not. Your CHOICE would be NO, so what's the problem? YELP certainly can't rectify this for you...lol That's not what YELP does. But in this case, there isn't even an issue. Tipping is never mandatory, it's always voluntary. So the food is delicious and you enjoy going there but draw the line at a few bucks for a tip. Interesting.

@chrystaltree No, at some restaurants a tip is automatically added to the bill, twenty percent or more.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

chrystaltree — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:02:13 GMT

@TenderMercies wrote:
@Kachina624 @chrystaltree I don’t think you can really determine whether or not the cashiers’ looks were just in my head, since neither of you were there.

You can't possibly know either since the cashier didn't actually say anything to you..lol. I sense that you feel some guilt the tip thing for I really do not understand why. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Even if you do have ESP and could read that cashier's mind. Do you think she should be happy and thrilled that so many customers don't tip fast food workers?

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

chrystaltree — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:05:03 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Good grief, this post is either very sad or very funny. I'm going with funny....lol So, you were shamed by the cashiers eyes...lol It's a fast food restaurant but there are still people cooking food and loading the trays and taking the trays to the tables and wiping down tables and any manner of other things. They are giving you a CHOICE as to whether you want to tip or not. Your CHOICE would be NO, so what's the problem? YELP certainly can't rectify this for you...lol That's not what YELP does. But in this case, there isn't even an issue. Tipping is never mandatory, it's always voluntary. So the food is delicious and you enjoy going there but draw the line at a few bucks for a tip. Interesting.

@chrystaltree No, at some restaurants a tip is automatically added to the bill, twenty percent or more.

Yes, some restaurants but those are nicer restaurants with table service. Not fast food places and I remember reading once that if you object to that, if you complain to the manager, they will delete the mandatory tip or gratuitary charge.

Re: To tip, or not to tip?

TenderMercies — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 04:06:57 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@TenderMercies wrote:
@Kachina624 @chrystaltree I don’t think you can really determine whether or not the cashiers’ looks were just in my head, since neither of you were there.

You can't possibly know either since the cashier didn't actually say anything to you..lol. I sense that you feel some guilt the tip thing for I really do not understand why. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Even if you do have ESP and could read that cashier's mind. Do you think she should be happy and thrilled that so many customers don't tip fast food workers?

@chrystaltree If they’re super friendly to you when they’re taking your order, then they look at the cash register after you press the “NO” button to the tip, and they all of a sudden roll they’re eyes and react like you just ripped an atomic f*rt, then I’m pretty sure this has nothing to do with me feeling guilt.