Do you leave a tip at drive in restaurants like Sonic?

[Industrial Toys]

Our minimum wage is over eleven bucks an hour. At the end of many (bad) days, these people make more then I do! So for fast food, I never tip!

Now what about buffets? Sometimes the person taking your empty plates away is just annoying. You often can't get service at a regular restaurant, but at the buffet, these people are always hovering around! Makes it hard to put the roast beef in the purse for the family pet!

Now, if they could find it in their heart to steal me a free cup of coffee, rather then adding it to my buffet cost, I may feel a little more gratitude for their service.

 

[sixdogs]

Agreed on the local family places. We overtip them, since they're local and waiting tables is no picnic.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I always give a tip at restaurants but never did at a fast food drive tru. I see local people at my restaurant and they never tip and that sort of pisses me off cause they get the same service that I do but are too stingy to give a tip. I feel sorry for the waitress who has been there over 25 years always with a smile and cheering attitude and she deserves a tip. I am talking about Kim's family restaurant in Palmer Rapids Ontario. So if you go there at least have the dignity of tipping Brenda.

If you want a unique experience, when you get a little extra special service, in addition to a tip, make it a point to thank your waitress personally on a job well done. I get the impression it doesn't happen very often. BTW, the best service I have ever gotten on a continuing basis is at any Chili's...why, I don't know.

 

[kc5dlo]

I have a similar quandary when eating at the Golden Corral. I pay for my food and get a glass of water at the register up front. Then I graze around and pick what I want to eat. When I get to the table and start eating, a person will show up at my table, introduce themselves as my server, and place a business card on the table. I have left a dollar before but most times I don't.

 

[arpt209]

If they're any or all of fast, efficient or pleasant I tip. Especially if I plan to go back. Having 4 kids who have at various times made their livings either serving or cooking food, unless things are pretty bad, I tip. When we were starting out together serving was one of the jobs my wife had. Many was the time her tips got us by. I'm the guy who goes out of his way to tip the cook when the food is good. Lots of our service people really rely on tips. I've even tipped the flat fixer dude at the tire shop. I make it a point to tip at places I like. And yes I may well be the guy that gets the better, faster, more frequent service at the eatery. I've even tipped the lady at Burger King who helped me carry a large order out to my car. I believe in the pay it forward thing. I'm old, know how it was to be young & hope these people will find it contagious & share.
Are you supposed to tip at Sonic? I don't know but rollerskate to my car so I feel like a kid again & I wouldn't be surprised if the tip doubled.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

I generally don't at Sonic, but have before. Now that there are credit cards at every car spot there's no need for physical money to change hands.

In the past I heard that Sonic carhops make minimum wage, but never heard it from one directly and never asked. In Kansas I believe servers can receive 1/2 of minimum wage at a minimum from their employer since they are in a tip receiving position.

 

[2ndhalf]

I don't go to Sonic but if there is a tip jar or sometimes even if not I tip. Local pizza place even if I pick up I tip. Fast food I don't tip but would if they have a tip jar.

 

[Garycw]

A little different but does everyone tip for take out orders at restraunts ? Such as olive gardens etc? I do because they have to package everything. Usually 15%