Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
My boyfriend and mother dont tip for call-in-order carside meals.
Theyre just walking it out to our car.
It always ends with a tension-filled meal.
I know if someone else is footing my bill I should keep my mouth shut, but still.
I offer to leave the tip but they shoot me down.
Should I let it go?
Whats the proper protocol on tipping the waitress in carside service?
Mostly Im in your camp, though.
Hand-delivering a meal to a customer in their car isnt nothing.
A couple bucks seems appropriate.
I dont think theyre deliberately snubbing anyone.
Theyre just choosing to save money in a way that, like it or not, is socially acceptable.
They already know how you feel about the issue.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
Next time you roll up for a curbside order, dont just offer to pay the tip.
Wait until the server arrives at the car with your food in hand.
As your boyfriend or mom pays for the bill, just say Ive got the tip.
Then reach out to the server directly to thank them with whatever amount you think is reasonable.
Be sure to thank whomever is footing the bill for the meal, as well.
it’s possible for you to try this once and gauge their reactions.
If theyre OK with you handing cash directly to the server, then voila.
But if it this results in further arguments, its time to drop this.
You give up much of your bargaining power when someone else is paying the tab.
Yes, empty-handed servers may mutter ugly things as people you love drive away with their takeout food.
But youll have to make peace with that.
If people got Yelp ratings, very few of us would always earn five stars.
We all have to accept that people say some not-so-nice things about us behind our backs.
Worrying about what people are saying about you is a big enough energy sucker.
But worrying about what people are saying about other people in your life?
Do that and youll have no energy left.
Take the emotion out of this issue.
Robin Hartill is a senior editor at The Penny Hoarder and the voice behind Dear Penny.
Send your questions about saving money to[email protected].