What is the tipping etiquette in these types of restaurants?
Deke asked:
In certain types of restaurants, such as a Subway or a Moe’s, there are usually tip jars/cubes sitting next to the cash register. The person who rings up your order is often the person who made your food for you, as well.
In certain types of restaurants, such as a Subway or a Moe’s, there are usually tip jars/cubes sitting next to the cash register. The person who rings up your order is often the person who made your food for you, as well.
I am the first to admit that maybe I’m naïve, but I thought tipping was reserved for people who serve you while sitting at a table.
Is there an expected etiquette for the types of restaurants I’m describing?
Der Sonnberg
I usually just toss any “change” change from my money back. I don’t think of it so much as a tip, but a way to not have any change weighing my bag down!
Comment by Dawn X — October 4, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
I have to agree with you, Deke. (again, can you believe I agree with you?)
Are they really ’serving’ us or just doing their job? Perhaps I should put a tip jar on my desk here at work and see how that works out.
*I just have to add: My husband and I went to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream the other night….2 people…..$9.00!! AND they had a tip jar at the register. What? Didn’t you charge enough the first time?!
Comment by Coffee Diva — October 7, 2008 @ 7:11 am
I usually leave the change from my change.
Comment by rxing — October 9, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
There is no real etiquette in place for this sort of thing. Most waiters or waitresses make less than minimum wage and the tips make up for that (and then some in most cases).. its really a form of self motivation as the better you are at what you do the more you make.
For subway (i dont know what moe’s is) the people behind the counter are making minimum wage and there is no etiquette to tiping them although you can if you want
most fast food places dont allow their employees to take tips so this is just their way of saying that they can
Comment by reed_clow00 — October 11, 2008 @ 10:15 am
I don’t think that tipping is necessary but sometimes I’ll leave my change.
Comment by dbrody4 — October 12, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
Sorry , but , they get paid . If they don’t like their jobs , then they should quit .
Why should you tip anyone , anyway . Do you work hard for your money ?
Comment by Fire Blade 24 — October 15, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
I usually don’t put money in the tip jar. Waiters get tips because they make under minimum wage. Subway employees make an honest wage (how much money can they expect with a job like that?!). They don’t need extra money for flattening your bread and giving you a third of the meat that is in the picture. People are greedy nowadays. I’m going to put a tip jar on my desk at work. When my coworkers don’t tip me, I’m going to do everything wrong…
Comment by Captain Awesome — October 15, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
I don’t tip at those places unless they opick the trash up off my table, and even then it’s just the extra change I get back goes in the tip jar. When I use to have a bit more spending money I would tip people like the guy who pumps my gas (though I no longer do full service), or the oil change guy.
I don’t get why I’m suppose to tip my hair dresser though, What’s up with that? I pay her over a days salary and I’m suppose to tip her on top of that? Thank God she’s cool enough to still takes me even though I sometimes tip her inconsistantly….she knows I’m poor but need to have really “hot” hair. How else will I find my sugar Daddy? Just kidding ~ that’s her view, not mine.
Comment by Pirate Girls Kick Butt! — October 16, 2008 @ 7:52 am
You are correct! Tipping is for service…beyond the preparation of the meal! …but the “serving” of the meal.
It is NOT expected nor should you feel obliged or obligated to put money in a “tip jar”. In many restaurants, a tip jar is considered tacky and unprofessional.
Restaurants such as Subway, do not really provide “service” as true restaurants do; they are more accurately categorized as “fast food” restaurants.
Giving “service” implies “attending” to the dining customer’s needs, ensuring the customer’s comfort & convenience during the customer’s “dining/eating” experience at that certain “bistro”.
For those services, you should tip according to whether or not your “service” expectations were met (not true in Europe, where tipping is NOT customery).
Comment by DRL — October 17, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
I don’t give them anything at a place like that. I’ve also seen tip jars at the drive thru window at fast food places and I don’t tip in those either. Why should I tip someone that does nothing special for me?
I might as well just give money to a homeless person on the street (which I don’t do).
If I’m going to just give money away it will be for some charity!
Comment by Beatle fanatic — October 21, 2008 @ 1:11 am
I really don’t think it’s necessary to tip someone at subway or moe’s becuase they are doing their job getting paid minimum wage; whereas, a server at a sit down restaraunt is getting paid way below minimum wage and tips are expected to make up for that. I wouldn’t worry about the tip jar thing unless you just want to get rid of some heavy change.
Comment by Shelby B — October 23, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
I don’t tip a Subway samich artist, that is crazy! Maybe that is why I don’t get good food from there!
Comment by The Hebrew Hammer — October 25, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
I would not regard Subways as a place to give individual tips. Maybe some loose change - IF you received service above whats expected - better though to put loose change in a charity box.
Tipping when having a leisurely eating experience is a way of rewarding the staff for enhancing that experience for you. Subway, MacD, BK are not in that market - and do not provide that experience.
Comment by Richard_SM — October 26, 2008 @ 1:13 am
I never put a tip in a tip jar only at a sit down restaurant wher I have a waiter come to my table and serve me
Comment by cutiepie81289 — October 27, 2008 @ 5:21 am
Usually it is a tip that all people who are working split. It’s appropriate, I think, for those difficult customers who want extra sour cream spread on the wrong side of the taco and stupid requests like that, they are serving you still. I saw the loose change comment, that’s cool. 10% is ettiquette in this situation.
But I believe it can also be optional…. BUT if you are one of those people who go into Moes or W.G. Grinders etc and act like you are at Smith and Wolenksky’s - GET OVER YA-SELF - and leave these people a tip for your pickiness…
Comment by Danielle B — October 28, 2008 @ 6:18 am
I don’t tip at places like that.
Comment by Kevin C — October 30, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
I think if everyone left a dollar in the tip jar who eats at subway, moes, cold stone etc. you would receive better service next time and the employees might care a little more about serving sanitary food.
P.S always leave at least 15% for bad service, 20 for ordinary service and 30% for exceptional service. one day it might be you who has to wait tables as a third job to take care of your sick child or make rent.
Comment by Chad P — October 31, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Depending on how the service is I sometimes give my change. I consider it begging though and if they are just average then I take my money and go—change and all. I do not leave bills in those jars.
Comment by safiyafadil — November 3, 2008 @ 12:43 am
I do not think that tipping is required at a restaurant like Subway. The people working at subway are working in an assembly line.
I am sure the people answering from Subway would not agree with me.
Comment by billnad — November 6, 2008 @ 2:46 am
Sure, I’ll toss money in there… why not? Those folks are on their feet all day in what seems like a crappy job and could probably use a few extra bucks at the end of the day.
And I can’t believe anyone can call minimum wage an “honest living.” Please…
Comment by kiki2556 — November 8, 2008 @ 1:33 am
let them keep the extra change like pennies and whatnot.
Comment by effin' h!lar!ous — November 9, 2008 @ 1:53 am