so I decided to buy lunch for my employees today. We called the order in and I went to pick it up.

the take out tab was $55.xx
I didn't have change so I gave the waitress 3 twenty-dollar bills.
she took it and put the change in her pocket.
I looked at her and waited.
she looked and me and raised her brows and her facial expression signaled "yes? is there anything else?"
I said "I would like the change please"
she gave me back the change and acted as if I were a cheap customer.
maybe I was? I don't know.

I'm a little concerned now. Is tipping expected for handling over a bag of food?

 

expected? yes.


required? who knows.


I the same feeling @ Sonic - do I tip these people?

 

I personally never tip when getting take out. I dont see how its all that different from going to McDonalds or something. You walk in, you pickup your food, you leave. There isnt all that much service involved.

 

yet it is referred to as carry out "service"

 

Most of the time they have to prepare your food. For example, on an order of fajitias, the cook cooks the chicken and onions but whoever is handling to go orders has to get the beans and rice, cheese, pico, guac, chips and salsa, ect.

Now in your situation, I wouldnt feel bad because she assumed you didnt want change. Most good servers will say "Do you want some change?" Anytime I have to ask for my change, the servers tip goes down.

 

i follow only 1 rule:

Never tip anytime you have to pay first to get your food.


So, i only tip when I'm in a restaurant where eating comes before paying...

 

No you dont have to tip if your doing take out

 

tipping completely optional for takeout. if they have a jar i'll sometimes throw a buck or two in depending on the size of the order.

 

this was Thai food. The only preparing she did was putting the food, utensils, and napkins in the bag.

 

I only tip the hot jailbait girls @ sonic



thats bullshit that you had to ask for your $5 back.

OP, what establishment is this?