Oh my gosh. I must be a terrible customer. I don't tip the counter person at all for take-out. I, of course, tip a server in a restaurant.

I must also be terrible. I rarely tip when I go pick up an order. For delivery I never know how much I should tip so I usually do $3-$4 dollars.

I waited tables in college so I think that makes me tip high. I also think the fact that it is the one place that is close I feel like they "know" me so it is probably because I want them to like me!. I don't think either of you are terrible.

As a waitress I of course liked the big tippers but I preferred a moderate tipper that is nice to a jerk who gave a large tip. The jerks should be thankful my waitressing days are way behind me because I would not tolerate that crap now. When tuition was due I had to!

I don't tip counter people at the take out place either. I normally tip 20% for delivery and 20-30% at a restaurant. My service has to be pretty terrible to leave 10% and, I have never left without tipping no matter how bad the service.

I think tipping 20 percent for delivery is very nice.

I never tip if I pick up an order. For delivery (and we only ever get pizza delivered) I usually tip $2 to $5, depending on the size of the order.

Keep in mind that I live in Canada and unlike many places in the USA, delivery drivers and wait staff are paid minimum wage or better.

I tip a base minimum of $5 for delivery, but usually give $6. I add a $1 for every $10 over $30 cost. I only order pizza for delivery.

I know this is highly debated, but I rarely tip for pickup. I don't order from places where a waiter is taking time out to box up my order. There is usually someone behind the counter or in the kitchen who does this as a designated job and they aren't taking time away from some other tip producing activity.

This is a small privately owned place and I am not sure how they are paid. I think delivery is different from wait staff who are way under minimum. ElizabethA, I feel you, I am so grateful we now have delivery here. I imagine if we had delivery more often I wouldn't do 20 percent but since it is a treat I feel obliged. This place has great service. Yesterdays order was very big because we ordered for yesterday and today so the total was a lot more than our normal. I guess because the tip was a larger dollar amount it made me wonder what others do.

Tipping when picking up an order is a weird thing to me but I do it there because as I said it is the only close place and they have great food, great employees and are in an area that has a smaller population so I want them to stay! When I am in the bigger towns and eat at a cafe or whatever where you get counter service I generally just throw my change in the tip jar.

I suppose some of it is guilt induced. As I said I have worked for tips way back in college but I never worried I'd not be able to have the basics. I grew up in a relatively affluent home but my father believed in working for tuition, etc because he had to. I am not wealthy by any stretch but I can afford more than just the basic survival stuff and live a pretty nice life. Because of that I feel like those who are working hard should be rewarded. I don't quite get the whole tipping culture.

Funny story, a relative who is quite wealthy by years of hard, hard work and who is most generous was with me when I picked my dogs up from grooming and said she didn't know you were supposed to tip the groomer. She was like I have to write them a very big check after 10 years of the same person and never gave them a tip.

adella, I'm sorry, I don't understand. If you don't want to go to the trouble of driving there to get the pizza, because, presumably, it's a headache to go to that effort, why not compensate the delivery person who had to endure the headache of driving? Not to mention, is paid little, and abuses their personal vehicle. I do feel like I can help them keep their vehicle in good shape, since I didn't have to use mine. So why not? I'm super curious.

I don't like to tip for pick up - I don't think it's a lot different than if you go to a fast food restaurant and they make your food and bag it up for you. Our local Subway has a tip jar and it usually doesn't have much in it.

For delivery, which is only ever pizza as well, we do tip, usually a few bucks. The pizza place is nearby and we only order 1 pizza. If we had a large order, I'd tip more. I think you were right in tipping more for 2 days worth of food! And hope you feel better soon Anne!

Rob, you should reread Adella's response. It's pick-up she doesn't tip for. For delivery, she does tip.

I am sure Rob just misread.

I appreciate everyone's opinions. Thank you!

Share, thanks for the well wishes. The antibiotics and other meds. are seeming to help. I feel like everyone I know has some cold, bronchitis or pneumonia going on.

I feel for those that have breathing issues every day. I had never experienced pneumonia or breathing issues before.

Oh! I need my coffee. I really was curious, but there you go.

"I live in Canada and unlike many places in the USA, delivery drivers and wait staff are paid minimum wage or better."

I'm confused. Minimum wage is minimum wage, a worker can't be paid less than that in total, with tips included.

My practice for carry out is a few dollars, delivery might be $5-10 though I haven't done that in a long time. In a restaurant, it's 15-20%. I think we had a similar conversation in this forum not too long ago. I think some of you tip excessively but of course that's your choice to do.

Elmer, in the U.S. servers are not required to be paid minimum wage and are taxed on a preset amount even if they don't earn it. I have a step-child who is in grad school working as a server right now and it is still the same as when I waited tables. The tax laws have changed. 3.63 is the rate in my state and as long as they earn 30 dollars a month in tips they don't have to be compensated up to minimum wage. That is my understanding and what is in practice for servers I know. If a server can't earn 30 dollars a month in tips they probably need a new job!

Anne, it depends on which state you are living. Some - I think 7, and mine is included in those - require employers to pay tipped servers full state minimum wage before tips. $11.00/hr here with scheduled increases over the next several months.

I meant to indicate that is the case in my state which is Maryland. One of the most expensive places to live because of DC's proximity. Our minimum wage is not a livable wage and there is debate about if it should be raised. I think it is a bit under 9 dollars an hour right now. I don't want to turn this political so I won't comment on my opinion on it.

I really just was curious how others tip and if I was tipping enough.

Thanks all for your comments.

I rarely have food delivered. If we are having pizza that I'm not making, we will usually buy U-bake and that particular store doesn't deliver ;0) But if I were to have food arriving, I'd be comfortable with a 20% tip for the delivery person. Feel better soon....

I tip

$5 for a pizza delivery

At least 20 per cent for a restaurant meal

$1 for a sandwich shop tip jar

and I never tip for a pick up order. The thought never occurred to me!

JoanEileen, the first time it occurred to me was actually at Pizza Hut when I lived in an actual city. I picked up pizza for my kids soccer team and used a credit card. When I saw the tip line, I commented to the cashier I kind of thought it was a bit rude to have a tip line for carry out and he agreed, saying since they had eat in and carry out that they couldn't help it being on there. I ended up tipping because I felt bad for being bitchy and he had promptly agreed with me. I do have an issue with wanting everyone to like me. (Unless you are my cable/internet provider ;) )

I tip 15% for pick-up if the order is from a full-service restaurant where a server must pack up my order. I don't tip at all at places like Panda Express, but I live in California where all employees are paid at least the minimum wage of $10.50/hour. I don't do delivery.

Dh and I tip 20% for pick up at our regular Greek food and pizza joint as if we were eating in. We're there once every three weeks whether we eat in or take out so we want to support the kitchen and wait staff. They know us by name and what we like to order. Plus they cook it right. :)

We live in such a rural area there is no pizza places or restaurants. It would be great if there was. For us to get to the next town it takes 45-50 min. so it is much easier to cook at home.

For home delivery between 15 and 20% depending on my mood. I know most delivery drivers make crappy wages and it's a second income to pay bills. Even though I hate tipping (REALLY hate tipping and I used to be a waitress....), because they bring the food to my door, I always leave a tip.

I NEVER tip fast food. Ever.