Tipping For Takeout Food, The New Norm?

Prior to the pandemic, it was not super common to tip for takeout orders in [specifically fast-food] restaurants, counter-ordering, at car washes...I could go on, but you get the point.

Fast-forward to today, and it seems like everyone has added the

"tip" line to your receipt.

So what gives? It doesn't seem to matter whether it's a National chain, such as Panera Bread, or your local taco joint down the street. If you are taking food out of their building, or if a live person is waiting on you at all- you should expect to be asked to tip.

Where did this shift come from? By the way, as a writer, using or hearing phrases such as, "the new norm, shift, pivot, and unprecedented," makes my skin absolutely crawl! Call it PTSD, but they've all worn out their welcome, in my opinion. So, if you're still using those words or phrases- please stop now. (Said the girl who has one of them in her title of this very blog.)

So, why the change in gratuity expectations and ettiquette? If you recall, the "essential" businesses, such as restaurants- if their doors remained open at all, were running on skeleton crews. No more dining rooms, so the servers that were used to relying on tips as a big part of their income, had to adjust. Our hearts went out to them, and we had no problem opening our wallets to throw them an extra $5-$10 on our curbside pickup orders in 2020.

Most (if not all) of those businesses, and many others now, are still asking for the tips when you get takeout, catering, and walk-up counter orders. (I threw car-washes in there because I found that one to be personally bizarre.) That being said, when the guy standing there to take my money asks me if I want to leave a tip for those operating the automatic carwash, I say yes. What else would I say? I don't want to be "that one" that's NOT tipping.

So, how SHOULD I feel about this now that the pandemic worst is over and everyone is considered essential again? I've heard several opinions on the matter, and I have personally come to the decision that if someone is asking for gratuity, I'm just going to do it. Maybe we should have been tipping them all along. Maybe those workers need the money more than I do. Maybe I can use this opportunity- where a lot of people are probably leaving that tip line blank- to be a blessing to someone by leaving a 30, 40, or even 50% tip.

I don't believe you can ever be too generous- so why not?

It's not like anyone is being rude about it- it's just a question. In a world where people seem to agree that great customer service has become the exception (not the rule) why not give as many workers as possible a reason to earn a little extra by going above and beyond? Why should it be only servers, hair dressers, and bartenders? I say just do it! (I mean...if you want.) And the next time you find that God has blessed you with more than enough, surprise that carwash attendant with an extra-large tip. Be the reason someone smiled that day.

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