Carry Out Tipping Has Gotten Out of Hand

About a month ago, my wife and I were near a beach in Door County when she realized she was hungry. Two food trucks were nearby; unfortunately, only her second choice was open. She ordered a bagel with cheese (quite small), and the woman, more interested in TikTok than service, handed her the bagel and showed her the cost ($10.50). The woman then pointed to a microwave near us and suggested heating the bagel for two minutes. At the end of the transaction, the suggested tip menu appeared, ranging from 15 to 25%. All the while, the young woman went back to her phone and scrolled. The only tip I was tempted to leave was “provide more attentive service next time.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option, so we walked away in amazement.

Another example of "Carry Out Tipping Has Gotten Out of Hand." Recently, a friend was at an airport and couldn’t find any nearby kiosks, so he purchased a bottle of water at a vending machine for $6.00. With a high airport tax, the total came to $7.50. It may have been pure water, but it probably wasn't spring-fed. Anyway, after the transaction, the machine suggested that he leave a tip. He was flabbergasted at the request, having to do all the work and risk the machine not functioning properly. He walked away shaking his head and thinking, “This tipping for doing nothing has gotten out of hand.”

Last Sunday, I ordered from Dos Amigos in Libertyville. I called to schedule a time to pick up several meal orders, and the co-owner was social and friendly while we were on the phone. I I called him about twenty minutes later, and he recognized my voice and patiently took my order. When I stopped in, he smiled, said hello, and said they were finishing up the order. In this situation, I had no qualms about leaving a tip, even though it was takeout. He showed personality and service, so I had no issues leaving a few bucks. In my mind, it was the sensible thing to do.

Sometimes when I order takeout, the mobile payment app requests a tip. If they show some personality and kindness, I’ll often oblige. However, when they seem robotic and uninterested in social interaction, I’m less likely to add anything to the total. In other words, if you want a tip during takeout, you have to do something positive for the customer; otherwise, the customer may not feel special at all. Indeed, in my mind, carry out tipping has gotten out of hand.