One of our favorite local blogs, Twin Cities Restaurant Blog, broached an interesting question on Wednesday (March 30). Kristi Sauer, the blog's author, queried, "Do you tip when you pick up take-out food from a restaurant?"
Patrons want to give gratuity where it's due, but where does one draw the line? Servers weighing in on the issue have been divided in their opinions of both whether or not gratuity should be extended and at what percentage.
The poll from the blog was resting at 54 votes at the time of this posting, with the divisions as follows:
Yes - 22.22%
Sometimes - 29.63%
No - 48.15%
Have an opinion on this subject? Mosey on over to the poll and make your voice heard! Tipping on Take-Out Poll
Tough questions, right? So what if a restaurant removed your input on the matter of gratuity entirely? According to Kathie Jenkins' March 30th review from the Pioneer Press, Tom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen does just that. Kathie warns, "You should be aware that a 20% tip is automatically added to the bill."
While this idea may be unanimously accepted by servers everywhere, I can't imaging many patrons going along with it. In fact, all five of the comments posted on the review were not in favor of this policy. Most sited the fact that there was a disincentive to provide good service if servers knew they were getting a standard 20% regardless. While I understand some great servers occasionally get the short-end of the stick tip-wise, I'm not so sure a blanket gratuity for all checks stands as a good work around.
So, what do you think? Tipping for take-out? Gratuity added to checks automatically without patron input? What are your comments on these, the latest in the myriad of tipping conundrums?
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