New Guideline For Tipping When Ordering At Restaurants

It's pretty common to see a line at the bottom of your receipt anytime you order food for a tip.  But should you tip every time?  To tip…or not to tip…that is the question.

There is no better feeling than tipping well.  It always feels great to be able to make someone else's day.  Some people really rely on your tips.  They count on them to make ends meet.  But it has become an incredibly polarizing topic.

There are some who believe like I do that you should tip well for great service.  Some would prefer to do away with tipping altogether, pay more for their food if they have to, and let the restaurant worry about how much their servers make.

But what if there isn't much service at all?

Picture this scenario - you order food online or go old school and call the restaurant in person. When you go to pick your food up you walk into the restaurant and talk to a person at a register. They set your food on the counter and when you run your card, they ask how much you would like to tip.

Do you have to tip?  What are you tipping for?
You weren’t really waited on. No one had to refill your drink or bring food to your table. It wasn’t even curbside pickup where they were providing a service to you. Tip for what?  You don't want to be stingy but what is the tip for?

Some would say that some of those tips go to the kitchen.  So, ok, that makes sense to help them out.  But how do we know if the kitchen staff gets a share of the tips?

I saw someone say the other day that if they're standing up or in their car when they order, they don't tip.  Is that a good guideline to follow?

I’ve always said, when someone provides service that is above and beyond what is probably mentioned in their job description, they should get a tip. But the important part of the sentence is “above and beyond.” Regardless of the profession, if someone does more than the basics, they should get a tip.
I want to be clear…the only thing I’m asking about is when you’re walking into a restaurant to pick up an order. I believe curbside pickup/delivery should definitely be tipped. But what about when you’re just dealing with a cashier? Do you tip? Do you feel bad if you don’t?