Minor things that bother you

[roadman65]

When garbage trucks can't turn off the yellow strobes when they are not picking up trash bins.  It makes it hard to tell if they are just in transit or going to make a sudden stop.

[jeffandnicole]

When garbage trucks can't turn off the yellow strobes when they are not picking up trash bins.  It makes it hard to tell if they are just in transit or going to make a sudden stop.

Along that same line, when trucks have yellow strobes on, and they hit their turn signal. That usually gets lost in the fray of all the strobe flashing. I'm aware of it and sometimes I'll turn my strobes off a moment before I put my turn signal on to make it more apparent that I'm turning.

[jakeroot]

You tip for service? I've never done that. Tipping is effectively mandatory. I don't really care how bad the service is, you tip. If something is wrong, tell someone, but don't stiff 'em.

Are you telling me you leave the same tip, no matter how good or bad the service was?  If so, then that's a totally foreign concept to me.

Correct, that's always what I've done. But then horrible experiences are so incredibly few and far between that I cannot readily think of the last time I felt like not tipping.

Your tip is your way of monetarily showing your appreciation for their good service.  If the service wasn't good, then the tip shouldn't be good either.

That's totally fine, but that's not usually how I've communicated my experience (good or bad). If things are great, sure, I tip a bit more than normal, but I try to make a point of leaving a review or saying that I appreciated their service (not in the military way), or even saying something to the manager. If I have a bad experience, I'll still tip (15 to 20%), but usually leave a poor review or say something to management. Substantially-reduced tipping or not tipping at all for "poor service" doesn't seem like it would have a positive effect on that person, and I don't want to assume that everyone in the service industry is always in great moods, not insanely overworked, etc. Some people have bad days, wake up on the wrong side of the bed, etc, and I don't feel like punishing them personally for that, especially without explaining why. Leaving reviews or speaking directly to either the server or management is much more likely to reduce or eliminate whatever problem there may have been, at least for people being served after me.

You may also do all of these things, I just don't *also* reduce the tip.

Maybe we just have two different terms for the same thing? I'm talking about leaving a tip when you eat at a sit-down restaurant. The reason you give the tip is because you get table service. And yes, it would be rude not to leave a tip, but it's still your choice, so in my view it's still "tipping for service" even if you always tip the same percentage.

I think my response above is sufficient enough of a response to your reply too.

[Scott5114]

I try to make a point of leaving a review or saying that I appreciated their service (not in the military way)

I know on a conscious level what you're trying to say, but the first mental image that leapt to my mind for "appreciating their service in the military way" was you approaching the waiter and solemnly and wordlessly pinning a medal to their shirt.

[noelbotevera]

To add to the tip vs. no tip discussion: not every restaurant is created equal. I work for a mom-and-pop store, and all tips go into a shared pot. Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

Not tipping in my case probably won't make or break the business. But it's a minor thing that bothers me, so it's in the thread.

[Scott5114]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

[noelbotevera]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

Yes it is, but who's complaining?

[dlsterner]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

Yes it is, but who's complaining?

Hopefully there aren't any IRS employees who are also forum members.

[kkt]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

Yes it is, but who's complaining?

Hopefully there aren't any IRS employees who are also forum members.

In a semi-anonymous forum with no specific restaurant named?  I don't think the IRS is going to get a warrant based only on that.

[jeffandnicole]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

Yes it is, but who's complaining?

Hopefully there aren't any IRS employees who are also forum members.

In a semi-anonymous forum with no specific restaurant named?  I don't think the IRS is going to get a warrant based only on that.

They should probably be more wary of State taxation employees, because if they're hiding tips, they're also hiding reporting taxable income to the state.  And they're also probably hiding revenue, so a loss in sales taxes to the state as well.

[zachary_amaryllis]

The whole concept of takeout is "I don't want to spend the time to eat in and have to tip for service", so you shouldn't have to tip or the tip should be a lot less at the very least.

You tip for service? I've never done that. Tipping is effectively mandatory. I don't really care how bad the service is, you tip. If something is wrong, tell someone, but don't stiff 'em.

For me, takeout tipping has still been mandatory due to lower levels of dine-in service at restaurants, and my desire to try and make up the difference (to the extent a single consumer can).

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

[snowc]

When I search google and finds no results, this pops up.

This kinds of annoys me because Im trying to do work. And Not focus on a monster who wants to go fishing. 

[formulanone]

When I search google and finds no results, this pops up.

This kinds of annoys me because Im trying to do work. And Not focus on a monster who wants to go fishing. 

I got that last week by realizing how badly I misspelled something.

On the other hand, it means there's all sorts of new words (or intentionally-misspelled apps/websites) to be created!

[vdeane]

Tips have been used for...practically anything, from throwing parties to purchasing new pots and pans. I don't complain simply because I'm paid more than other restaurants in Chambersburg, through the magic of being paid under the table.

All of that is hilariously illegal.

Yes it is, but who's complaining?

Hopefully there aren't any IRS employees who are also forum members.

In a semi-anonymous forum with no specific restaurant named?  I don't think the IRS is going to get a warrant based only on that.

They could certainly audit his returns, especially since his real name is known.  Plus this forum is public (aside from a few boards like Fictional Highways), so they wouldn't even need to be a member... just happen to stumble on the wrong posts when browsing the internet.

[kphoger]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

[zachary_amaryllis]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

if you're orderring from a place that has its own delivery mechanism, don't use an app. call them directly. the apps provide no service if the restaurant already has delivery. when a doordash/whatever order comes to my store, somebody grabs the ticket, enters it into our own POS, and we deliver it. doordash charged you 4.99 for the privilege of ordering online, even though we have our own website for that, or god forbid, the phone. for other places it makes sense. for where i work, you can fill in a 'pre-tip' when you order, some base amount that makes sense to you, like a minimum. if the service was particularly good (as it always is with me), there's a space to add more if you want.

[abefroman329]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

It's useless when you're using a third-party app where the delivery route is probably set by a computer, but try ordering, say, Domino's on the website or the app, leave a 20% pre-tax tip, and see how many minutes get shaved off the estimated delivery time.

[zachary_amaryllis]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

It's useless when you're using a third-party app where the delivery route is probably set by a computer, but try ordering, say, Domino's on the website or the app, leave a 20% pre-tax tip, and see how many minutes get shaved off the estimated delivery time.

I don't personally roll like that, you get the same service from me whether you tip or not. can't say there aren't those who do, but i'm a little older than most of my co-workers. i've lived in this area my whole life and for the rare address i can't find, i google it to get an idea of where it is, then set my own route. i can usually beat google.

[jeffandnicole]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

It's useless when you're using a third-party app where the delivery route is probably set by a computer, but try ordering, say, Domino's on the website or the app, leave a 20% pre-tax tip, and see how many minutes get shaved off the estimated delivery time.

Seems like that could greatly vary if you order a single pizza, or $50 meal.

[Scott5114]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

If you're talking about something like Doordash, my understanding is that tipping works slightly different there, to the point that I'd argue that "tip" is the wrong word to describe it. I know there are some people here who deliver through Doordash, so maybe they can correct me if I'm wrong.

What you're actually paying is functionally a commission to the driver. When a Doordash driver is shown the opportunity to do a delivery, they are shown the amount of money they will make by accepting it. This amount is the amount Doordash is paying + the tip. If the driver doesn't think the amount shown is worth it, they can decline the offer and instead wait for an offer that is more lucrative. (There is no penalty for doing this, so long as they don't accept an order and quit out of it before delivery.)

Of course, if you tip less than a dollar for a delivery all the way across town, you're going to wait longer, because all of the drivers are going to see that as a bad use of their time, so you're going to get rejected over and over. If you tip $20 for a delivery that's two blocks, the drivers will fall all over themselves to accept it.

Thus, the amount you're tipping is really "this is how much I am willing to pay for this delivery", and thus the word "tip" is a misnomer. Each driver is an independent contractor who has the choice to service whichever orders will make them the most money. So when you "tip" on that app you're not showing gratuity at all. What you're really doing is competing with other customers for a share of a limited number of delivery drivers.

Ain't capitalism fun?

[kkt]

THANK you... not quite relevant, but i'm a delivery driver, and for me, that means the same as a server, just the kitchen is a little further from your table.

I'm not just 'a' pizza guy, I'm "the" pizza guy. If I deliver to you, you will remember the brand, and me, in a good way.

And another thing that annoys me:  when we order delivery using an app, and it makes us enter in the tip amount ahead of time.  The driver hasn't even served me yet, so how can I possibly know if his service was good or bad?

If you're talking about something like Doordash, my understanding is that tipping works slightly different there, to the point that I'd argue that "tip" is the wrong word to describe it. I know there are some people here who deliver through Doordash, so maybe they can correct me if I'm wrong.

What you're actually paying is functionally a commission to the driver. When a Doordash driver is shown the opportunity to do a delivery, they are shown the amount of money they will make by accepting it. This amount is the amount Doordash is paying + the tip. If the driver doesn't think the amount shown is worth it, they can decline the offer and instead wait for an offer that is more lucrative. (There is no penalty for doing this, so long as they don't accept an order and quit out of it before delivery.)

Of course, if you tip less than a dollar for a delivery all the way across town, you're going to wait longer, because all of the drivers are going to see that as a bad use of their time, so you're going to get rejected over and over. If you tip $20 for a delivery that's two blocks, the drivers will fall all over themselves to accept it.

Thus, the amount you're tipping is really "this is how much I am willing to pay for this delivery", and thus the word "tip" is a misnomer. Each driver is an independent contractor who has the choice to service whichever orders will make them the most money. So when you "tip" on that app you're not showing gratuity at all. What you're really doing is competing with other customers for a share of a limited number of delivery drivers.

Ain't capitalism fun?

Thank you for explaining that.  I haven't used Doordash, but it's nice to know what to expect in case I should have to isolate myself at home and then run out of milk, etc.

[Bruce]

DoorDash/Uber/Grubhub only pay $2.50 to $3 for most deliveries. The rest has to be covered by "tips" or locality-specific bonuses.

I use "tip" in quotations because it's more similar to a bidding system. You are bidding to be accepted by the driver against other people ordering on the platform. We see a good portion of the total payout (base pay + tip) on most orders and determine whether it's worth 20-40 minutes of our time. Thus, it's not a good idea to leave a low tip and expect speedy service, even if you plan on making up the difference in cash.

[kphoger]

I haven't used Doordash, but it's nice to know what to expect in case I should have to isolate myself at home and then run out of milk, etc.

We had never used such a service before March 2020, when we returned from Mexico and found ourselves in an unexpected 14-day home quarantine.

[tolbs17]

That i have severe ADHD

[J N Winkler]

Just to add my thanks to Scott for explaining the bidding aspect of the Uber/DoorDash/GrubHub business model--it sounds like a thoroughly bad idea and I do not regret picking up my own takeaway.