Tipping On Takeout Orders Causing A Stir

Tipping etiquette was recently thrust into the national spotlight when a receipt surfaced showing NFL quarterback Drew Brees had left a $3 tip for a $74.41 Chinese food bill. 

Turns out the 4 percent gratuity was on a takeout order rather than a sit-down meal where etiquette typically dictates a 15-20 percent tip.

Bloggers and talk shows picked apart the incident, raising questions about whether the multimillionaire New Orleans Saints player is “cheap” or not and whether it is socially unacceptable to leave a small tip or no tip at all on a takeout order.

Bon Appetit’s Food and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton in a May 2009 advice column was asked about gratuity on takeout orders. Knowlton responded that “tipping policies, it seems, are second only to politics in divisiveness.”

Knowlton’s suggestion? Always leave “a couple of bucks” no matter the takeout tab, and more money if you’re a regular.

This story was written by Patch Local Editor John Majeski.

What do you think? Do you tip on takeout orders? If so, what is a reasonable gratuity? Tell us in the comments section below.