Last night after Joel and I arrived home from our wine lesson #2 - more on that later - we were both feeling hungry. Since Joel had to grade a stack of homework, I ordered an appetizer from Applebee's and went to pick it up. Normally, they have a carside-to-go service, but since it was after nine, I was informed that I needed to come to the bar to pick the food up.
I have a question. Do I tip? I feel very strange tipping, but am racked with guilt if I ignore the 'tip' line and just carry down the previous total to the final line. Especially if the employee is standing there; I feel like I need to write down something.
With the carside service, I at least feel a small desire to tip a meager amount, but last night since I had to park my car, turn off my engine, walk inside, wait at the bar, and finally get my food, I had less of a desire to tip. It's not that I'm lazy. I'm really not. I didn't mind walking in. But to me, the server didn't do anything above and beyond that would require a service tip. The kitchen staff bagged the food, she carried it to the bar. Does that deserve a tip? I don't personally think so, but I still gave her one to get rid of my guilt and because she was standing there. Fear of being judged, I suppose.
Why? Why must they include the tip line for pick-up orders? It torments me. I wonder what the employee thinks of me as I walk away. Are they glaring in hate at my back, or non-emotional, or happy that I even gave them a nod towards service? STOP IT. STOP TORMENTING ME!
RSS Feed