What Are The Tipping Habits In The Capital Region? Residents Weigh In

When you go out to eat what do you normally tip? Do you also tip when you pick up the food yourself? 

If you plan on heading out to your favorite restaurant in the Capital Region you better plan on tipping. I always say it is a good rule to make sure you take care of the people who are taking care of your food.

For me I always plan on tipping 20%. I know that the old standard was 15% but times have changed and 20 is the way to go now. I know some people will tip lower of the service is bad, but for me to go lower it has to be really bad. I usually don't go higher than 20%, but that's based on my own budget. You work it out however you'd like.

This conversation of course is hot on the heels of this study that says some New Yorkers feel pressure to leave a tip. I don't really feel pressure if I am out to eat, but when they turn the monitor around and it says "how much would you like to tip" I usually feel obligated to leave some when I normally wouldn't.

I decided to ask listeners how they feel about tipping.

Here were some of the responses we got:

"Usually 20% or higher depending on service. I’m not a fan of tipping for all take out. If I have a large order I will. But if I’m picking up one thing I tend not to. If I dine w kids I always tip above, because I know it’s extra work w kids wanting drink refills and making more of a mess. On that note, I also pick up my table and floor around it too if the kids make a mess." - Andrea

"The wife and I usually tip about 20% ish or so.....take out, we tip less..... for delivery it is a bit more..." - David

"20ish % if I'm sitting down (more for good service or it makes the math easier). For take out, it depends. I don't feel obligated to...i just like some of the people at the places I frequent. They nearly always get a couple extra $" - Shane

"Depends on what the total bill is. If I order DoorDash I always include a tip depending on how far the Dasher has to go. Far as tipping in a subway. I pass on that." - Alex

When it comes to ordering take out - you pick it up yourself - do you still tip? We had quite a few people say they don't tip for take out unless it is delivered. That got Delta all fired up and called in to explain why you should always tip on take out orders.