Do you tip for takeout at places like olive garden?

**jsmith86** · 07-07-2010, 08:19 AM

So I'm in tulsa looking for an apartment, and I've been here for a couple days so far. The whole eating fast food burgers every meal thing was getting kind of old so last night I decided to get some olive garden takeout. It was great after three days of burgers, but that is beside the point.

Going in there to get it made me wonder though. When you get takeout from a place that is normally a sit down type place where you would tip, what is the proper procedure with regards to tipping?
Do you tip?
Do you not tip?
Discuss.

**JP4CY** · 07-07-2010, 08:20 AM

I wouldn't tip just for my meal. If it was a big family order I would consider it.

**CYphyllis** · 07-07-2010, 08:21 AM

Only if the waitress that is ringing me up is attractive.

**ianoconnor** · 07-07-2010, 08:21 AM

You don't have a waiter/waitress to tip, so I wouldn't leave one.

**DaddyMac** · 07-07-2010, 08:22 AM

IMO - you tip for the service. Since it's take out - there isn't any.

**CyCub13** · 07-07-2010, 08:36 AM

Being in a position that prepares to-go's, bartending, preparing a to-go is usually an inconvenience. It takes me away from the bar, and possible money I could be making. It's also usually more work than most would think. I'm not saying 20%, but usually close to 10% is expected. In reality about 50% of people tip, and 50% do not tip. Whether you are being "served" or not, they are providing you a service.

**tazclone** · 07-07-2010, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by jsmith86

So I'm in tulsa looking for an apartment, and I've been here for a couple days so far. The whole eating fast food burgers every meal thing was getting kind of old so last night I decided to get some olive garden takeout. It was great after three days of burgers, but that is beside the point.

Going in there to get it made me wonder though. When you get takeout from a place that is normally a sit down type place where you would tip, what is the proper procedure with regards to tipping?
Do you tip?
Do you not tip?
Discuss.

I answer with another question...Do you tip when you get carryout pizza or the drive thru at Hardees or McDonalds? They are all offering the same service...someone taking the order, taking the $$$ and handing your food to you.

**CYphyllis** · 07-07-2010, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by CyCub13

Being in a position that prepares to-go's, bartending, preparing a to-go is usually an inconvenience. It takes me away from the bar, and possible money I could be making. It's also usually more work than most would think. I'm not saying 20%, but usually close to 10% is expected. In reality about 50% of people tip, and 50% do not tip. Whether you are being "served" or not, they are providing you a service.

The service would be the preparation of the food, which I'm already paying for.

**pyrocyz** · 07-07-2010, 08:39 AM

Tipping is a conversation that I think could set records on this site. There are times where I refuse to tip because I get such poor service. I am fine giving the traditional 15% in most cases, but it isn't hard to ruin my night with poor service. I will say that good service and a good meal is the best way to get me back in the door.

**cybsball20** · 07-07-2010, 08:41 AM

Don't they bring it out to your car? I always tip at those place, alot of time they are getting paid the same as any other waitress, just assigned to the take out section.

**Tedcyclone** · 07-07-2010, 08:41 AM

no, dont do it.

**isuno1fan** · 07-07-2010, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by CYphyllis

Only if the waitress that is ringing me up is attractive.

This is the correct answer.

I've actually asked this question at Outback to the person bringing my food. Answer was about half tip and half don't.

**capitalcityguy** · 07-07-2010, 08:42 AM

Yeah….we get takeout from Famous Dave's a lot (not because it is anywhere near best the BBQ in DM, it just happens to be the closest to our house). Anyway, it does annoy me a bit that the credit card receipt you sign has a place to add the tip. I realize, the same machine that spits these out for the table service is the same one that is at the carryout counter, but it still always pings me with a touch of guilt when I draw a line through that space. I'd be forever grateful if a place that does takeout could produce a receipt that doesn't add the tip area (or just posts a big sign that says -- No tips pls for carryout).

**Cyclonepride** · 07-07-2010, 08:42 AM

Unless they brought it out to my car, I wouldn't tip.

**CyCub13** · 07-07-2010, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by CYphyllis

The service would be the preparation of the food, which I'm already paying for.

Not really, but getting into logistics about the process is useless. Some tip, some don't. Like I said, it takes me away from the bar where I make my money. So I'm losing money in the process if I am not tipped. I guess IMO it depends on the position of the person preparing your togo. Because they are all paid differently