How much do you tip when you get take-out? [Moved from SF Bay Area board]

[leeinsf]

Let's say you've ordered indian food for take-out, at the counter or over the phone. I normally don't tip 15%, because it wasn't a full service meal. But I want to tip something - do you tip 10%, or just a couple of dollars even if you've ordered $80 worth of food?

[MonMauler]

Takeout? No tip.

[bamagirl30]

Five bucks. Always. But I never have take out for more than 3 people.

[causeimhungry]

I tip 2-3$ because I usually have to ask the hostess to add extra utensils and dressings on the side.

[Oboegal]

I tip about 10 pct. because usually a server takes the order and the money from that order is added on to that server's sales that night, meaning that there is more tax to pay. Also, the server is taking time away from their tables to cash you out, and making sure everything is boxed and bagged properly.

[Midlife]

I agree with everything you said except the part about the taxes........ that being a bit sketchy. As far as I understand the IRS rules, the restaurant withholds a minimum of 8% of sales from each server's pay and the employee is required to submit a form to the employer summarizing all tips received in that period. That';s because most servers receive a lot of their tips in cash and the employer has no way of knowing that amount directly.

If the restaurant only reports the 8% "threshold" amount, the server CAN report only that amount to the employer and on his/her taxes BUT, if they're ever audited, the IRS is going to question it. SO.................... depending on the server's reporting, the employer's deduction policy, and the IRS's assessment of likely tips in an audit, there may or may not be more tax to pay.

Just sayin'..................... ;o]

[Uncle Bob]

$Zero

[miss_belle]

I don't tip for takeout.

[Hobbert]

I tip 10%- after all, someone put effort into assembling it into containers, making sure the condiments and utensils are correct, and packaging it so that it doesn't fall apart in the bag. It's not all that different from bringing the plated meal to your table except for the lack of follow up service. Obviously, though, I don't tip somewhere where I wouldn't tip for sit down service like Chipotle.

[olyolyy]

Well, they're not cleaning up after you which is a nice feature of eating out.

[Hobbert]

Lol true. That would be the lack of follow up service.

[Midlife]

There are loads of related topics if you search here or using Google (search for "chowhound tipping takeout"), but here's one of the longer ones with posts from 5 years ago and thjs year:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/366450

[Chi_Guy]

Zero. What sense does it make to tip for something that was never waited on?

[olyolyy]

I don't tip for takeout.

[Bacardi1]

Ditto.

[shanghaikid]

seldom tip for take out,.

[scottca075]

It depends on who has to "assemble" it. If it is a server, 10%, a hostess or manager, $5 or so.