[dropcap1]Q:[/dropcap1] Should I tip when I pick up a take-out order from a restaurant? It doesn't seem to be called for, but I see a line on the credit card ticket for a tip, implying that a tip is expected. I want to play fair. What should I do? [dropcap1]A:[/dropcap1] The ruling principle here is that you shouldn't tip in situations where no significant service is given. If the total interface between you and the person who hands over your go-box is collecting the money, there is no service, so no tip. However, the confusion over the tip line in the receipt makes a lot of people throw in a few bucks or a whole fifteen-perfect tip, to be on the safe side. This has the effect of either 1) giving the front-desk employees a welcome boost in their income or 2) helping out the restaurant's bottom line. As a result, tipping on take-outs is becoming more common and--worse--expected. Here's an exception to the above. If your regular waiter in a restaurant takes time to husband your order through the kitchen and takes more care than usual packaging it, a tip is in order. But, frankly, I get around this issue by practicing a policy I strongly recommend to you: I never get take-out.
