Pantagraph.com | Letters | Tips deserved by those who deliver your pizza

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

bboryla wrote on Apr 4, 2008 6:30 PM:

" You guys know the drivers work for tips and are expecting them. If you choose to use that service instead of picking your food up, and not pay the 15-20% which is payment for that service, then at best you are being deceitful, and at worst you are stealing from the driver. "

bboryla wrote on Apr 4, 2008 6:25 PM:

" BN REPUBLICAN - It's not about "entitlement". It's about getting paid for doing our job. The bill is for the pizza and tax.

The tip pays for the following services and more...
You not having to stop what your doing to have to pick it up.
Saves you gas

If you did not value these services you would have just picked the pizza up. You ddn't; you chose to use the service. Now pay for it. 15-20%
"

LoneStar wrote on Apr 4, 2008 2:21 PM:

" We can always charge a $10 fee for having to deal with people who refuse to tip. Nah...make it 30% of the bill!

If it weren't for the tips, no one would deliver pizza or any other kind of food to you at all.

"

BN REPUBLICAN wrote on Mar 31, 2008 9:08 PM:

" congratulations, you inspired me never to tip the pizza guy again.

Thanks for your 'entitlement' attitude. You must be a democrat. Put your hand away, ho hand-out from me. "

lowrider wrote on Mar 31, 2008 2:14 PM:

" I am glad we are entitled to our own opinions, some people have more worth listening to than others. If you don't want to tip don't, but i am still going to. I never said tipping was an absolute requirement, do you want any cheese with that? Geeze! "

Geez! wrote on Mar 30, 2008 2:45 PM:

" "Fred Bear" - when pizza delivery people don't get tips, they don't lose money, they just don't make as much as with a tip. Geez! Stop making them out to be bums on the street begging for "money for somethin' to eat". They are gainfully employed and get paid whether they deliver that pizza and get a tip or not. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 30, 2008 11:48 AM:

" "Egbert" - while I agree that *some* pizza delivery people are jerks, there are quite a few pizza delivery people who are great people who - like the rest of us - are just doing what they can to make a living. I tip, but I don't feel it's an obligation or requirement and it must be earned. It sickens me to see people who come up to me on the street asking for change for "something to eat". when they are fully-functional and can get a job (and may have one, aside from being a shyster), and con people out of their money. When people feel "entitled" to tips, it reeks of the same odor. Want a gratuity for your services? Earn it. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 30, 2008 10:36 AM:

" "gatorbait" - they don't care what the customer says or feels, eh? Good policy. Tick off enough customers and guess what? They'll stop coming. Less customers, less workers are needed. Not enough customers and the business closes their doors. Simple economics. FYI, I was at The House of Blues in Chicago over the weekend and tipped more than 100% of the cost of the meal. It wasn't just because the waitress in jeans was hot, but because she took the time and effort to provide good service. She also let me know that because they were short-staffed, it would take a few extra minutes to bring me my order. Common courtesy, and this was before there was any hope of a tip. With the thousands of customers they get, there's no way to remember who I am/was, so I expect the same courteous service when I return. Whether or not she felt "entitled" to a tip was not apparent. She seemed to do it because that's what she's supposed to do - not for some tip. "

Egbert wrote on Mar 28, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Lots of pizza deliverers are JERKS... and if I have to wait more than 45 minutes the tip is going to be real light, I don't care if its the drivers fault or not- SOMEbody is gonna feel it because I waited too long and if the driver is the only one I can sting, then thats the way its gonna be, because I can't sting anybody else for it. Maybe the driver will then be motivated to fix the problem, and then he'll make more money. "

Fred Bear wrote on Mar 28, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Times are tight, even for the pizza delivery guy. Gas prices are high. Heck, it might cost you less to give the delivery guy a tip than to drive to the place to pick it up. Bottom line is if you are ordering a pizza for delivery you should figure in a tip in the total price. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. But don't skip the tip just to save a couple bucks for yourself. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 28, 2008 1:52 PM:

" first...thank you BN-Banker for proving my point. geez has no idea how a restaurant runs. geez probably thinks that when they complain to the manager, someone actually gets written up. what geez doesn't understand is that 7 times out of 10, we all have a good laugh about it later. the customer is always right when the customer is there, but not when they leave. geez, in my experience, no one really cares when you complain....we are all just really good at acting like we do. we just go through the motions. believe me, i'm not the only one who thinks this way. do you really believe that the pizza driver working a dead end job gives a care about you or your pizza? the driver cares about one thing...money. PERIOD. end of story. if you don't like it....don't order pizza. but not tipping will only make it worse if you're a repeat "

gennybee wrote on Mar 28, 2008 1:22 PM:

" I know it's been stated in previous posts, but it may need to be repeated again: There are many service jobs that pay less than minimum wage, and/or less than the work deserves because it's a position for which there is an assumption (no, it's not a requirement) that the customer tips for the service. There are always cheapskates who do not tip those workers (skycaps, valet parking, waiters, restaurant delivery people, etc....) But they are the exception. Most people recognize that gratuities are non-optional in polite society. "

gennybee wrote on Mar 28, 2008 1:10 PM:

cocoa wrote on Mar 28, 2008 12:55 PM:

" TO: Gov't oppressed Mule ~ Excellent posts! More people should remember that you usually catch more flies with honey than vinegar. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 28, 2008 12:50 PM:

" to Gov't Oppressed Mule....thank you so much for your story. THAT is exactly the point that I was trying to make... YOU ARE AWESOME....:-} "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 28, 2008 9:36 AM:

" After that first night I NEVER had them leave with less than a 5 dollar tip (I actually once got $7 and a pack of cigarettes) not large but for 2 coffees and a little conversation? Not bad. A positive attitude to even the most "unwanted" person can change your life. I still remember these two ladies and the experience opened my eyes to a lot of my personal conduct. I only offer this as an example of positive attitude affect even the stingiest people. Worry more about what you are doing, than what other's are doing. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 28, 2008 9:36 AM:

" TO:GATORBAIT

Not to try and keep this going, but I wanted to add to MIZZLIN's post on Mar 28, 2008 7:06 AM. He made a statement about that "rude" customer needing extra attention. When I worked for a restraurant that rhymes with snacker barrel we had 2 ladies that would come in everynight for coffee. NOBODY wanted this table as these ladies took up a table for several hours and only tipped 35 cents. One night I got them and decided to do what MIZZLIN was talking about and buttered them up. That night they still only left 35 cents, but had a smile on their faces. Everynight for the next year and half (give or take a day) they would come in and asked for my section. cont'd "

Geez! wrote on Mar 28, 2008 8:12 AM:

" "B-N Banker" - what an asinine suggestion. How terrible it is, this idea of yours! Why not have new slogans for Pizza Hut, et al? "We Deliver - But Only If You Tip Our Drivers Because We're Too Cheap To Pay Them Minimum Wage!" After all, it's not the multi-billion dollar pizza companies who are too cheap to pay their employees minimum wage - it's the local people! Some save up all week or all month for a "treat" like a pizza delivery (I was one of them recently). For you to have the audacity to infer that all those who order pizza are so loaded that they are throwing away their money on other things EXCEPT tipping the pizza delivery guy, is beyond the pale. And for others who feel that unless they get a tip, they will not deliver the service they promise, get out of the service industry - Earth will be better for it. "

B-N Banker wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:49 AM:

" I can't believe everyone is that against tipping. Like it or not, it's customary. Plus, all of you are saying something like, "I can't afford to tip the driver the huge tip he/she wants". No where in here did the writer say he wanted a large tip. I worked pizza delivery through college and I can tell you this: If you were a constant lousy tipper, yours would be the last of all of my deliveries on that run- even if your pizza did come out of the oven before all the others.
If you can't afford to tip, drive yourself to the get the pizza. That way, those that do tip will get their pizza faster and, hey, maybe they'll tip an extra buck or two for the speedy delivery. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:38 AM:

" lowrider - How about this? If you want to have your PIZZA DELIVERED, call for PIZZA DELIVERY! I don't get why some of you feel that tipping is an absolute requirement. If wages suck so bad, give them raises! If giving them raises to minimum wage raises the price of pizza, guess what? Tipping ALSO increases the overall cost of your delivered pizza. Even IF they get their raises, some of you will still whine about tipping. You'll always find something to whine and complain about. Geez! "

Burns wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:37 AM:

" Tip for service, not for fun. If the delivery is an hour later than first indicated, that is not good service, therefore nothing gratuitous will be offered. It may be the cook's fault, but the end product is what I see. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 28, 2008 7:06 AM:

" also to gatorbait..you stated that you always give a little extra effort to the "pleasant" customer.. has it ever occurred to you that the customer that you consider to be "rude" might have had a bad day? Or may have received bad news, or whatever. And it just might be that that particular customer might need a little extra TLC, as far as service is concerned? A show of genuine concern can do wonders. And if you feed a positive attitude into a negative one, most of the time it will pay off. But if by some chance it doesn't , move on, and forget about it. More likely than not, there will always be someone else to pick up the slack. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 28, 2008 6:51 AM:

" to gatorbait.. my last post was in response to what G.Larson wrote. And I stand by what I said. But since you chose to enter your input, I'll answer by telling you that I agree with how Geez! responded. Have you ever heard the old saying, "you get more fly's with sugar, than you do with vinegar?" Well, "incentive" means to entice, or stimulate into action. Have you ever thought that if you approach each patron with equal, pleasant, prompt attention, that most likely, that "non" tipping person just might change his way of thinking about not tipping? Especially if these are repeat customers. Don't insult the intelligence of the people you serve. Each and every person can read body language, and when it comes to "giving away" their money to someone, that can be a real touchy subject. So your "preference" of customers comes through loud and clear, and YOU are the only one that has total control over that. When a person signs up for a minimum wage job, they better be able to budget their lives on "that" amount of money, and consider any "extra" as being just gifts. "

Pinko Commie wrote on Mar 28, 2008 6:20 AM:

" lowrider: Bad analogy. UPS or FedEx won't deliver unless you pay them. Pizza boys do. So whose fault is that? "

lowrider wrote on Mar 27, 2008 11:17 PM:

" If you don't want to tip the delivery driver just call up UPS or fed ex and ask them to deliver that pizza, see how much that will cost compared to the cost of a tip.
I'm pretty sure you have paid shipping and handling charges before, just think of it as a handling charge. I understand being thrifty, but I don't understand being greedy "

Geez! wrote on Mar 27, 2008 11:00 PM:

" gatorbait - to quote Spock, "No one can guarantee the actions of another.". Here's another novel idea (for you) - treat each other fairly, regardless of how they treat you. You don't exactly live by the Golden Rule, do you? "

OGS wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:55 PM:

" I always tip the delivery driver because they know where you live and I don't want to take any chances when Halloween comes around! "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:46 PM:

" mizzlin/geez...it's all about incentive. if i get a customer that is rude, it's safe to asume that they aren't going to tip as well as one that is pleasant. 9 times out of 10, i'd be right. i will always give an extra effort to the pleasant customer. if i am serving a couple of repeat customers...one tipper, and one non-tipper, i will always give the extra effort to the tipper. it's all about incentive. and i can guarantee (GUARANTEE) that i'm not the only one who feels this way. i know a lot of servers and i've known plenty of drivers. do you really think half these servers or drivers care about the company that pays them minimum wage? i never took any of those jobs seriously in my younger years...ever. and fyi, i have never and will never get fired from a job. i have always been known as an extremely hard worker who has always gone the extra mile. and even if i wasn't, with my charming personality, i could get away with anything i wanted to anyway. "

Sara wrote on Mar 27, 2008 4:01 PM:

" I'd really like to know what the standard tip should be for pizza delivery. At a sit-down restaraunt, it's typically 15% for standard service, 20+% for great service. I've always been confused about how much to tip a delivery driver. Is it still the same percentages? I would like to tip decently, just not sure what 'decent' means in this case! "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 27, 2008 12:15 PM:

" To Gov't oppressed mule,,,I completely agree with your statements. G. Larson has a bad habit of rambling on aimlessly, in an attempt to sway everyone to think as he does. If a person is so disillusioned with their job, maybe they should look into a different field in which to work. He is telling us that he has to make the pizza, box the pizza, and drive the pizza to the customer, in his own car, yadda yadda yadda.. Well boo hoo. This is what he chose to do. As I said in another post, noone has twisted anyone's arm to perform a particular job. I, as you, will tip, if I feel a tip is deserved. I work hard for my money too, and I do not have a bottomless pocket. These ppl need to get a life. "

mresh wrote on Mar 27, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Agree with the author. There is NO good excuse for refusing to tip a server or delivery person, except perhaps in the most extreme circumstances. Many of the attitudes about tipping articulated on this comment board are an example of why the "trickle-down" theory is flawed. Frankly, most of the stingiest tippers I know are staunch conservatives who have impossible standards for"tip-worthy" service and who always seem to find clever and very subjective ways to justify lack of generosity. Also, while I consider myself a believer, I am ashamed to say that my experience while working as a server while in college was that self-professed conservative Christians were easily worst tippers. Funny how the social gospel of Jesus seems so foreign to those who claim to follow his way. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 27, 2008 10:14 AM:

" TO: G LARSON

Hate to end on a disagreement (especially after my last post which I did mean.) I don't see how improving your service or getting a new job is a "fantasy" as you stated. It's very simple, if you hate the job you're in quit (assuming you are not under contract). I don't live in the "perfect world of State Farm" and have held several serving positions. Certain establishments attract certain individuals (i.e. tippers) If you don't like working for company A for $4.00 a tip on average, apply at company B were the tips are $8 on average. The differences do exist. What may be inhibtting someone from changing is the fact that company b expects a higher standard of service. I have left several jobs because another company offered me better incentives. It's really simple and not a "fantasyland". Please quit trying to make everybody feel sorry for the underachiever. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 27, 2008 10:09 AM:

" TO:G LARSON
Just wanted you to know I appreciate your last 2 posts, they were very clear and made your point perfectly. I just wanted to clarify my position that I am not a "tip-hater". I was a server and tip good servers (delivery drivers) VERY well, usually 20-45%. I know counting on those tips is what keeps them going, HOWEVER I will not be forced to tip for bad service. If I sit at a restaurant with and empty glass for 5 minutes, that's not good service. If my delivery driver is 20 minutes late, that is not good service and will not be rewarded. However if the food is delivered in a timely manner or the driver calls ahead of time and explains he's late and when I can expect it (has only happened twice) I will gladly tip. But a mandatory tip mentality is horse hockey. I just wanted to clarify my position. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:09 AM:

" For the record, the customer should NEVER be punished. At some point, the customer may need to be cut off, where the business relationship is ended due to repeated abuse and manipulation of that relationship on the behalf of the customer (for instance, frequent and obvious attempts at free food, frequent fraudulent payments, far more than normal levels of nuisance and trouble in serving a customer, and so on). In all these "debates" about tipping, which IS called a "gratuity", technically, it is assumed on my part that the customer is never under threat of a "punishment", besides the ending of that relationship. As several have posted, no matter what, these are paying customers, and the company will be benefited by their patronage. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:58 AM:

" (continued)All I hear from the "tip-haters" is a frankly inhuman "sucks to be you, you should've beat me to the prize" attitude. Put simply, I think that speaks volumes about the credibility of that position, whereas for the most part, those that suggest tips should be more prevalent are simply asking for a fair fight. In fact, we are asking for nothing other than what every one of you have ever asked from everyone around them: a chance. If the people who hold the money refuse to let it go, then where exactly is the money in my pocket going to come from? THAT is how this works. For me to make money, it has to exist for me to make in the first place. If it is assumed no one will tip, then to tell us how to make better tips is just plain absurd and contradictory. So, which is it? Can we, the poor, in fact come up in life, or is it in fact true that you who have the money already will absolutely refuse to give it up, even if it is earned? "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:57 AM:

" I think alot of points made "against" me or my position have merit, and are in fact very much part of the reality of working in America and in a capitalist economy. In some regards, its great, in others, its a brutal competition. That, if anything, is a fair assessment of capitalism: a brutal survival of the fittest. And, at times, that makes sense on paper. But this is not a paper for a class, this is not statistics on cnn's multiple tickers. These are the real lives of real people that attempt, at least, real work to really affect their lives, perhaps even those of their loved ones as well. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:44 AM:

" to gov't oppressed mule: I suggest you would do well in life to consider that no one has any reason to tolerate your "education" when it is just your ego screaming for attention. So, we've traded lessons. That said, okay, in your cute little educational fantasy, lets say I did 1) vastly improve my PERSONAL service (as, by the way, a minimum wage employee can't exactly change an entire company's policy) and 2) daily look for a job as honestly and as "correctly" as possible. Nothing changes. What then? Seriously, what then? You so ignorantly assume a person does one or two simple things, and all privilege and opportunity suddenly pours from the heavens in torrents? Yes, "fantasy" is the operative word. In the end, I speak only from direct experience, no hypothetical-this or theoretical-that, no preconceived social/political/economical philosophies forcing reality to match it, nothing but a narrow but honest personal experience. Were this subject on "wages", not "tips", and this were, say, "state farm" (or any "legitimate, real job"), not "fill-in-the-blank's pizza", I don't think there'd be any serious debate. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:23 AM:

" to mizzlin: I think it's pretty clear that my point is more that "no one gets paid EXTRA for DELIVERING pizzas". Again, this is not rocket science. As stated above, I do not know of one single pizza place in town that pays their drivers MORE than their inside people, and nearly always, those drivers are expected to do the exact same work as the inside people while not delivering a pizza. All of this I had already clearly stated previously. So, what I'm suggesting is a story about a guy that works at a pizza place, just like the other ones that do, but this guy ALSO has to drive pizzas in HIS OWN CAR, likely at breakneck speeds to keep the customer happy. He is doing work others are not, at a cost to himself, and it would follow that he should be payed for it - unless you are somehow against one being payed for work done, and payed MORE for MORE work done. I really don't think this logic is as flexible as you'd like to believe. You're just justifying your own behavior, same as any criminal caught in the act. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 27, 2008 6:50 AM:

" also to gatorbait.... in your post, your said you "USED" to work in the food industry.. makes me wonder why you no longer do,, and if your "games" didn't already catch up with you....which I'm sure you would never admit. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 27, 2008 6:42 AM:

" To gatorbait, and others that think and act like you... the only thing this type of activity that you speak of will get you is FIRED. Your acts of defiance and inconsideration will be reported to your employer over and over to the point that they will have heard enough about your games. There are enough places to choose from that will appreciate a persons business. First and foremost in the eyes of the business owner, is the numbers of dollars that can be generated, and second is the popularity of it with the public. It only takes one negative comment about a certain employee, or employees to make the owner "clean house", and hire other ppl. There will ALWAYS be applicants standing in line that will represent the business in a way that the owner expects. And don't forget, your reputation WILL follow you. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 26, 2008 10:08 PM:

" gatorbait - your sense of self-entitlement is astounding. You must be a Democrat. The world doesn't owe you a tip. You owe yourself the best you can be. As a server, your JOB is to provide a service to the best of your abilities, regardless of how much or how little (or if at all) the customer tips you. Being nice only to people who tip you is incredibly selfish and bad business. My employees would be (and some have been) shown the door if they do anything that would be even remotely perceived as engaging in such behavior. It tarnishes the business' reputation, and that is something that can be unrecoverable. So live in your "the world owes me" fantasyland and see how far that gets you in terms of success and happiness. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 26, 2008 6:49 PM:

" oh, and GOM, fyi.....i have never been a waiter or a delivery driver. but if i was, and someone pulled a no-tip stunt, i wouldn't forget. i'd have no reason to hurry with their food. expect an extra half an hour wait and cold food. in fact, they would be the last delivery i made on my scenic tour through town. i'd take care of those who take care of me. and i'd make it my mission to prove a point, while at the same time, giving these people what they deserve. you have no idea how bad i want to take up delivering pizzas as a second job right now. i'd LOVE to get a customer like you, just to make that second delivery a freaking nightmare. stiff me once, shame on you....stiff me twice, it's probably becaused i deserved it the second time. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 26, 2008 6:47 PM:

" i almost always get great service and my food in a timely manner. i think it's because i'm usually a repeat customer who takes care of my waiter/delivery driver. i tip anywhere from 5% up to 25% depending on the service i receive. but i also keep in mind that sometimes the speed of the service depends less on the waiter or driver, and more on those preparing it. it could be anything from a mistake in the kitchen to an unexpected rush. as long as a waiter or driver is polite and courteous (and maybe even a little apologetic for a long wait), then i will tip them accordingly. unfortunately, people like yourself, mizzlin and geez fail to take this into consideration (because you're too busy thinking of an excuse to be cheap). "

trendytownie wrote on Mar 26, 2008 5:01 PM:

" do you know i worked 40 straight hours and my paycheck as a person in the service industry was 165 dollars. Please tell me how I am supposed to live off that? please understand when you don't tip you leave me counting on the 4.5 I make per hour. People in the service industry can't work the same hours as a "state farmer" bc people just simply aren't in restaurants 40 hours per week in the amounts it would take to make it worth it for businesses to keep service staff there for that time. I work very hard and make little to no money. I cannot simply find a new job because if you havent noticed the economy sucks. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:07 PM:

" TO:GATORBAIT

If you were a driver and had time to work on a spreadsheet while delivering, MAYBE that would be the reason you are running late and not getting good tips. Maybe you (delivery drivers-I know not you personally) should be more concerned about giving good service to receive good tips. Why is it societies job to ensure slothlike workers and hard workers are paid the same? That idea is communism to a T. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 26, 2008 1:40 PM:

" jd, geez and mizzlin=cheap, cheap and cheap....period. geez doesn't even understand simple economics. if the pizza companies paid their drivers more so you don't have to tip.....the COST OF THE PIZZA GOES UP. the company will just pass it on. it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. i almost wish i was a pizza driver, because i'd keep a spreadsheet of every address that didn't tip, and make sure i got my point across the second time around. i wouldn't mess with people that are supplying you with food, that's for sure. they obviously have less to lose than some of us and some could care less about their job. just a thought cheapies. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 26, 2008 1:27 PM:

" mizzlin...you are right, we all do have freedom to choose to tip or not to tip. but keep this in mind. when you order food the first time without tipping, the second delivery might not be so quick, and the food may not be so warm. i used to work in the food industry, and i've seen some pretty bad stuff. i've seen co-workers spit in food, purposely drop food on the floor, etc, because of a customers attitude. i'm sure the pizza industry is no different. the funny thing is, it may have already happened to you. think about that next time you "choose" not to tip. you'll get whats coming to you. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 26, 2008 1:23 PM:

" TO: G LARSON
Let me give you a little lesson in economics (from a prevous server). IF for some reason (poor service) the drivers don't make minimum wage based on their tips (as it's the law they have to claim them) the business has to compensate them so they make at least minimum wage. IT'S THE LAW! If some employer isn't doing this I encourage you to report them to the Labor board. If you are unsatisfied because you aren't making big bucks from the tips you need to either 1. Provide better service or 2. get a new job. It's that simple. Mandatory tipping is a crock and like I said, I used to be a server (5 years) I tip VERY well, but only if it's earned. You do a poor job, I'm not paying you for it. I know what good service is and I expect that if the server (pizze delivery guy) expects a tip. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 26, 2008 1:17 PM:

" I Agree with MIZZLIN. TIPS stands for To Ensure Proper Service. If the pizza delivery driver gets to my house before the time I was told, then I consider that PROPER SERVICE. If it's there when I'm told then they get a little tip as it is PROPER service, just not good service. If you are later than I was told you get NO TIP. Being late is not proper service. You don't like what you are paid, then QUIT! Why is it no one in America wants to use their freedom of choice anymore? "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 26, 2008 12:31 PM:

" How dare any one of you badmouth anyone that chooses not to tip. Each person has freedom of choice. Anyone that "chooses" to apply for a job should completely understand the job itself and all aspects of it including pay. If it is a service job that MIGHT include tipping, it should be understood that not ALL customers choose to tip. Therefore tips should NOT be expected. If given one though, it should be considered an "extra" generousity, that the customer could afford to give. If you can't afford to work for the hourly wage that you are offered for your position, you shouldn't take it.
And to G. Larson, who stated that "noone gets paid to deliver pizza!" That practice would be illegal. Would you explain to us how the employer would file taxes then when it comes to showing how many employees he/she has? Not to mention, how could ANYONE make out a budget to live on when they don't know how much their income will be from month to month, or file your OWN taxes? I think you need to get your facts straight before you choose to preach. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 26, 2008 12:27 PM:

" G. Larson - here's a novel idea: give them a raise! How about giving them adequate compensation for the job they do? As someone else said, the job of a pizza delivery person is to deliver pizza. They get paid to perform that work. Should I tip the police who drive by my house, since they are driving in their car and performing a service (patrolling)? Should I tip every trucker I see, since they are driving in their vehicle and performing a service (delivering goods)? If the pay structure is SO BAD as you claim, then get Congress involved and have them change the rules. Note: Tipping is OPTIONAL, not required. By not tipping I am NOT withholding their wages. I do not pay their wages, nor do I pay taxes on paying their wages. Get a grip! "

JD wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:10 AM:

" I don't tip. I think it is stupid. I am appalled at the number of places that put a tip jar on their counter for just doing their job. The gas station, the convenience store, the dry cleaner, the take out counter at restaurants. I am a security guard at a discount department store. I don't get tips. I carry a walkie talkie, a night stick and hand cuffs, but nobody gives me anything. "

NCOmega93 wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:05 AM:

" To HD: You don't think they do much more than the person at the drive up window? Are you serious? Does the person at the drive up come to you or do you go to the window? Is the drive up person driving around town in there own vehicle to bring your food? The delivery person can get robbed or in a car wreck trying to get your food to you. They are alone in the vehicle, there are several people at the restaurant for security. If you don't want to tip, everytime you order a pizza, go pick it up yourself. Spend your gas money and put miles on your car. But you won't. It more convenient for them to bring it to you. And THAT'S why you should tip. "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 26, 2008 10:50 AM:

" to g larson...your points are all valid, but you're barking up the wrong tree. cheap people will make as many excuses to be cheap as they can. obviously, a lot of these people never had to work in the service industry. being a waiter or delivering pizzas isn't easy....especially when you're dealing with a bunch of lazy, whiny, cheap slobs who always expect something for nothing. i always tip a good waiter/waitress well. sometimes upwards of 25%, but i rarely tip under 15% unless they are extremely bad....but that's rare. and fyi...i don't make a lot of money. "

HD wrote on Mar 26, 2008 9:09 AM:

" WOW, G Larson, you are very passionate. I belive that pizza places DO pay their employees about equal what they pay their drivers. I would say people who order and dont tip still help the economy by buying stuff. All you people say things like "if you arent going to tip dont order pizza" well then this poor fellow wouldnt have a job at all. You are back on the subject that you should tip no matter what, people should not have tip based jobs if they think tips are EXEPECTED, earn your tip. A pizza delievery guys job is to deliever pizza. I dont believe they do much more then the drive-thru people (who also make minimum wage) do you tip them?! "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 26, 2008 7:55 AM:

" to: geez: NO, they DO NOT!! That is the entire point here!! No one is getting payed for delivering a pizza, as the entire point is, IT IS EXPECTED THEY WILL MAKE THEIR WAGES THROUGH TIPS!! What pizza place in these twin cities pays their drivers, who almost always work inside ALSO, MORE than they pay their inside workers? I expect the answer to be none, since, as I've stated in clear caps and will again, THE COMPANY EXPECTS THEIR DRIVERS TO MAKE THEIR WAGES THROUGH TIPS. In this simple equation, when YOU don't tip the driver, YOU are withholding their ALREADY EARNED wages, wages the store they work for does NOT expect to pay them. It is understood, from EVERY SINGLE ANGLE, that when YOU order a pizza for delivery, YOU assume to tip extra. The delivery drivers' job exists ONLY for that. Otherwise, you DO NOT have reason to expect your purchases to show up at your door, UNLESS paying extra. Where else is that NOT the case? We don't expect a bar to drive us our beer, do we? And if they did at all, it would be ONLY for an extra charge. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 26, 2008 7:41 AM:

" to mixdown: "a gospel of entitlement"? how so? I think I pretty clearly stated, in caps, in fact, that the buyer, upon paying for the price of the pizza itself and only, "does not deserve" further service, a service no other industry provides free of charge, or at all for that matter. Where, exactly, in that is this "gospel of entitlement"? If anything, it is a rather brutal refusal of entitlement, on my part. Oh, you mean my saying a working person should be payed for work done? That would be integral to "capitalist economy", the very same that you so proudly espouse as the salvation of everyone less-than-fortunate, including yourself. Clearly, you've done alot "the right way", but I'm sure you can identify countless, countless places you could've fallen off your path. And, fact of the matter is, you're still even trying to get through college in your thirties, and ONLY after going through the military. Consider this: what if the military wouldn't take you? Your entire "prescription for success", as you've done it, suddenly falls apart upon removing any one aspect. In addition, you're nothing short of lucky that you're not currently in Iraq, rather than studying here. "

Geez! wrote on Mar 26, 2008 7:08 AM:

" They get paid to deliver the pizza. Why tip? I don't see why this is expected. Should everyone expect a tip for doing what they are being paid to do in their line of duty? I wages are so low, then raise them. What is so difficult about this? "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 25, 2008 10:32 PM:

" congrats mixdown...you've conquered all odds to get to where you are. i'm so happy for you. do i need to lay the sarcasm on any more. but to my point. larsons point wasn't that it can't be done. the point is that coming from certain backgrounds, it is a lot harder to succeed in life. it takes a lot of determination, hard work and a little luck. some people are handed everything on a silver platter and don't even appreciate it. i grew up next to sunnyside and on west mulberry. it's very easy to get sidetracked, especially when the expectations aren't there. it's harder for the average kid where i came from to succeed, and much easier for someone who grew up in hawthorne. i've seen it first hand. "

mixdown wrote on Mar 25, 2008 2:07 PM:

" To G. Larson: You preach a gospel of entitlement. This nation is about the PURSUIT of happiness, implying that even if you come from a disadvantaged background, you still have the potential to do great things. There's a movie called "The Pursuit Of Happyness" (yes, the title is spelled that way). Watch it, and you may see what I mean. Oh, and by the way - my parents never went to college, and I am doing so little by little even now that I'm in my 30's, after having spent a few years in the military. So I know of what I speak. "

mixdown wrote on Mar 25, 2008 2:01 PM:

" I tip a pizza delivery driver a couple of bucks, but not 20%. I tip would tip 20% if the delivery guy comes in, serves me individual slices of pizza on my plate as needed and refills my drink when it runs out, and boxes up the leftovers for me, like at a restaurant. This is also why I don't tip when getting carry-out (like at Famous Dave's or Starbucks where they have the nerve to put a tip jar on the counter). No one tips a McDonald's worker when they prepare and bag up your food for you. These other places need to get the hint. "

ja1978 wrote on Mar 25, 2008 12:12 PM:

" give me a break. do you think people like delivering pizzas because it's fun and they love beating up their own vehicle? if you can't afford to give an extra dollar or two, maybe you should be microwaving pizza pockets instead. this letter is not about eating in restaurants, it is about tipping whoever delivers your pizza. i delivered pizzas in high school and college and i felt sorry for the people who didn't tip because they were so CHEAP! i was a college student and even i tipped when i ordered a pizza. some people are so sad all you can do is laugh at them. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 25, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Again, to put it simply, the total price payed for pizza is paying for the raw materials of the pizza, and for the general overhead cost of operating the "devices" (from utilities to ovens to dough mixers), including also packaging and advertisements, along with the usual hourly wage. That hourly wage is payed to employees for services rendered within the store. NOW, once that pizza is leaving the door and careening towards your house, you are enjoying a service you DO NOT DESERVE. That service, the service of the company taking its product to you, ONLY because you want to enjoy the luxury of your own laziness, is absolutely nothing but an EXTRA SERVICE, one that goes far above and beyond. Frankly, if you don't understand why you would have to pay for such unnecessary and frivolous gluttony, that implies a serious inability to process basic logic. When I purchase ANYTHING, I am obligated to go to the business to get it. If I were to demand they bring it to me, THEY DESERVE EXTRA MONEY FOR THEIR PERSONAL SERVICES. Beyond that, there simply is no debate, only money-lust, self-centeredness, and pure gluttony, roman-style. "

What now? wrote on Mar 25, 2008 8:13 AM:

" To : ktlin If tips are archaic like you say then eat at some fast food resturant. You go to resturants because you don't feel like cooking and waiting on your family. I for one, always tip for service. If someone is willing to bring a pizza to your house, tip them. If someone is going to wash and cut your hair, wash your car, or bring food to your table, tip them. And I agree with ja1978, it is the cheap pathetic people that are the ones complaining! No matter when times are tight and you can't afford a tip, go pick up your own pizza if you can't tip the driver. If times are that tight, maybe you should not be ordering pizza. "

G. Larson wrote on Mar 25, 2008 8:10 AM:

" It strikes me how many "haters" echo the same tired out and completely irrelevant charge that "you could've worked somewhere else." I say, how so? In what way, to those saying that, is that suggestion anything other than a fantasy in your own minds? Can it POSSIBLY be that a great deal of people who work jobs THAT YOU WOULDN'T are doing so because they simply don't have the same options as YOU? Is this really rocket science? Is this really some deep and profound mystery of the cosmos? Say anything you want, slice it any way you want, and the fact is, NO ONE lives in true "equality". If I am 7'2", I'll likely make it in the NBA over the guy thats 5'2". If my parents were rich and payed for my car and my college and taught me to use money properly, whattyaknow, I'll make more money than the guy born to alcoholic high-school dropouts that can't even get ME to school. So, put simply, it's EXTREMELY likely these jobs are full of people with little to no other options. Go on feeling proud about your self-centered and inhuman refusal to simply pay for services rendered. "

ktlin wrote on Mar 25, 2008 7:45 AM:

" I never worked at a job that got tips. As far as I am concerned when I go to a restaurant I pay for my food and service when I pay the bill. I do not know why these places don't do away with tips and the waitresses etc. can work for whatever they have been told when they are hired. If they don't give good service they get fired. If the employer wants to give them tips for good service fine. Tipping is archaic and some are offended if people don't give them extra money. And they feel if you can't afford to tip don't go out. That really makes sense. They would rather have no business than no tip. I have always thought that I would not want a job when the money I make is dependent on what mood someone else is in. If someone doesn't like the tipping get a different job. Why whine about it? "

ja1978 wrote on Mar 25, 2008 5:24 AM:

" tips have nothing to do with the price of pizza. you pay a tip for the convenience of having your food brought to you, because you are either to lazy to get it yourself or can't. if you order food and ask that it be brought to you, give up a buck or two you cheap pathetic people. "

The Messenger wrote on Mar 24, 2008 10:20 PM:

" B-I-N-G-O-!!!

My previous post has been proven once again. This stuff is too easy. Go back and compare and contrast the previous "The Messenger" post, and the following hateful and insensetive posts towards those in the service industry. My point exactly!!!! "

gatorbait wrote on Mar 24, 2008 9:15 PM:

" i say if you don't feel like tipping the delivery guy, then you should get off your fat lazy butts and go pick it up yourself. but alas, you people are too busy sitting in front of the tv watching 5th grader while you scratch yourself and wonder how you'll ever lose that tire that magically appeared around your midsection....that is until you drip ice cream all over the front of your shirt and you realize that you'd better polish off the whole container before it melts. cheap, lazy townies. "

Titan120 wrote on Mar 24, 2008 6:18 PM:

" I order pizza every now and again, and I always tip the delivery guy. A lot of them look like they might be college students trying to pay their way though school. They probably can't just "go get another job" because they don't have a degree yet, and probably have classes during the day which prohibits them from having a more traditional job. Plus, I sure am thankful that someone else will drive through 8 inches of snow so that I don't have to get up off my lazy butt and do it myself. "

annodaleus wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:22 AM:

" With gas over $3 a gallon, I always tip at least $5 for every delivery....there have been times in my household that that poor guy has to come twice. ( Not everyone ready to eat at the same time. ) That means that I spend $10 tipping...do I mind? Heck NO. that is the price of convienance! I have worked in places that I had to rely on tips and they are hard to come by these days. I always felt that I did my best and hoped for the best. Give the delivery drives a break! How would you like to go out and get your own meal? If your calling for a delivery...you DON'T want to go and get your own. Quit being a tight wad and show some respect for the folks that get out in blizzards, rain storms, etc...... "

udawgn wrote on Mar 24, 2008 7:21 AM:

" This is not a hard one to figure out people...bring me a warm pizza in a timely matter and you will get a tip. When I need something at my table I am usually looking around for a waitress/waiter, glance at my table every chance you get and come check on me and you will get a tip. How hard is that to figure out. I am a struggling person with a family working a full-time job and going to night school & was a pizza delivery person back in the day and never expected a tip...but times were better then, gas wasn't $3.00 gallon. The feeling of getting out of being stuck in the restaurant and the freedom of driving erased the need for tips. This is about helping others who need help. But if the person who ordered the food cannot afford a tip because he is treating his kids to a once a month pizza, then give that person a break too. Don't think your getting stiffed...think of it as some lucky kids getting a treat and it won't bother you as much. "

Pinko Commie wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:50 AM:

" I don't tip delivery drivers. It's optional so why pay extra? I don't get a discount if I pick it up myself so I'm not going to pay extra to have them bring it to me. It's not like driving a car requires some special skill. They're not doing anything for me that I couldn't do for myself, it's just that they're willing to do it for free. And I highly doubt you pay all auto-related expenses yourself. You don't get mileage? Or maybe you consider that drinking money? "

HD wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:25 PM:

" To: vzbb; dont be so envious of state farmers, you keep trying and someday you'll make it! "

vzbb wrote on Mar 20, 2008 11:26 AM:

" I think it's funny how easy people seem to think it is to just quit one job and find another job. You must work at State Farm! "

lowrider wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:18 PM:

" We all have bad days. I worked in food service for 10 years and saw a lot of things. If the person had a bad day they still got something, if it was just bad service it was incentive to do better. If we all treat each other a little better the world will be a little better. "

willievok wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:54 AM:

" If you have the money to buy a pizza, why not tip the person bringing the pizza to you or go in person and get it yourself. A dollar should cover the tip because a dollar goes a long way especially in Mexico. "

jim4 wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:50 AM:

" To lowrider. If tipping is for good service why do you tip a dollar for bad service? "

lowrider wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:38 AM:

" I was always taught to treat others the way I wanted to be treated.
Jay did not ask for a big tip he only asked that you tip. Kind of like common courtesy.
Personally if there is bad weather I tip more. In a restaurant if I receive bad service I only leave a dollar. Times are tight though, so now I do go pick up my food. Good luck Jay. Not every body is against people that actually want to work, and not just abuse the system.

If you do not tip you will be remembered (does your food taste funny?).
"

Jimbo wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:45 PM:

" Hey to tip or not to tip..its my choice. As a taxi driver I take my fare from one place to another and try to make it a enjoyable ride. Why? Im looking for tips, nope I enjoy people. If they want to tip thats fine, if not I enjoyed the ride and good luck to you sir.
By the way, Cab drivers get half of the meter, pay their own gas, and pay a maintance fee for every shift. Complaining, nope just stating the facts.
Also for your info, college kids are the best tippers, townies are the worst. "

Realist wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:42 PM:

" Tough subject. The answer probably is, raise the price and raise the wage. That way everyone choosing to order delivey will pay. I'm fortunate, I've not had to work in a job where part of the compensation was in tips. But my dad has, so I've always been a generous tipper. I do feel strongly that if you choose not tip, then keep your complaints to yourself too!! Unfortunately the big complainers are generally the lowest tippers. It's really a sad bunch when you think about it. "

Gov't Depressed Mule wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:50 PM:

" BTW: How old is the retired guy who runs the merry go round? Does he need a life insurance policy? Will he pay his policy premiums with tips? "

Gov't Depressed Mule wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:49 PM:

" I don't have a problem with others tipping. It is their choice. It is also the choice of those who do work dependent upon tips as their income to know that not everyone shares their view of compensation. They choose to work for tips. I choose not to tip. Don't berate me for not tipping and I won't laugh at the workers who subject themselves to the whim of others. "

gwreck wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:22 PM:

" To Govt. Mule: WOW sir how do you do it? If I had an outlook on life such as yours I could not find the incentive to set the alarm clock, afterall who would care? Selling whole life policies although on the surface sounds like a glamorous and fulfilling career pales in comparison to the retired guy that runs the merry go round at Eastland Mall. In comparison to the guy who wrote this letter I would say YOU are the one who is a failure. I think it important from time to time that those of us who have been fortunate enough to achieve success in our fields be reminded of those who are not as lucky. I tip a minimum of $4 to a delivery driver or a waitress and I tip all my regular service industry people at Christmas time, why? Because now follow me mule, it is the RIGHT THING TO DO. Change jobs Mule and maybe if you were in a delivery persons' shoes your tipping techniques would change.

"

Anchor wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:54 PM:

" Rivitting stuff Jay......RIVITTING!!!!!!!!!!! "

c.a.t.s. wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:49 PM:

" well said spanky didnt see that before i posted lol
"

c.a.t.s. wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:48 PM:

" i wont order from dominos anymore because they dont carry change. that in its own way is demanding a tip the driver keeps the change part of it. i will not be forced into anything and if iam i take my business else where. i wish i knew where you worked there jay i would be sure not to order there.. every 3 or 4 months you write a letter here begging for more money well heres a tip for you find a better job!!!! and for those that desirve it ill keep on tipping.. "

firsthand wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Their not in the welfare line. I can't tip much or even always, but when I can I do. I
don't think we should put people down for working. I've done lots worse jobs than delivery. Delivery people: please don't ask for a large tip, things are tight, take what you get and be gracious and you will be blessed 10 times over. Thanks for reading this. "

it's me wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:45 PM:

" GOOD ONE SPANKY!!! I agree whole heartedly. Don't like the minimum wage you earn? Get a better job!!! "

Gov't Depressed Mule wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:12 AM:

" I don't tip for anything; ever. The whole tipping concept is stupid. I see tip jars at the dry cleaners and the counters of convenience stores. Everyone has their hand out. If yiou want to work in a job that is dependent upon discretionary tips, that is your choice. Be prepared to get stiffed by me every time. Nobody gives me a tip when I write a new whole life policy.

Do your job! Take pride in your work. If your employer doesn't pay you enough, find other work. The writer sounds disgruntled with his pay and wants us to do something. What has he done? He wrote letters to the editor and he still has a crappy job with low pay.

Is the answer to write more letters? No Jay, the answer is for you to get off your duff and aspire to something higher. Hold the anchovies. "

HD wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:29 AM:

" Actually I tip my barber/hair stylst way more then I probably should, why? Because they give more to the experience then hair cutting. They chat, tell a story, or say something funny occasionally. Red Reeky, perhaps we should just stop and give tips to EVERYONE, The crossing gaurds who help children daily, the police (I hear they dont make much either, and they provide a much more needed service then the pizza man), janitors. When I worked a tip based job, I made WAY more money then I deserved, and I was paid $3.09 an hour. Averaged (on Fri/Sat night) 35-50 dollars an hour! But I never just EXPECTED it. "

spanky wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:50 AM:

" Here's a tip. Get a better job! "

Houser wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:00 AM:

" Sorry HD, but with the miserly, angry attitude you've displayed here, it's hard to imagine the "personality" that earned you fabulous tips. "

Red Reeky wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:42 AM:

" HD - is that a birdie I hear? Cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap! No, just someone trying to justify stiffing a service person who relies on tips to get by. Your typical pizza delivery person makes less per hour than your typical McDonald's employee, and usually pays for their own car and insurance, and buys their own gas. You probably don't tip your barber/hair stylest either, do you? "

HD wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:36 AM:

" To Townie: Again, you guys think delivery service wouldnt exisit if people didnt tip. The company makes a butt load of money off delievery, it is THEM who dont pay the employees enough. Just like we will always have garbage men, and janitors (no insult there, they are much needed), we will always haev delievery people. Perhaps we should tip the garbage men, I hear they dont make as much as they deserve. And Townie, perhaps you need a new salary job, I have all the loans you speak of (over $20,000) and I make enough at my salary job to go on a vacation. And again I DO TIP, WELL. I just dont like tipping those who EXPECT it, because they dont do anything more then their job. When I was a waiter I also had a personality that made me money! "

townie25 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:20 AM:

" I recently graduated college and still work in tip-dependent job on top of my full time job. Even with my measly hourly pay and my salary pay I would not be able to support myself and pay my tuition loans. My tips at my second job are what make it possible for me to survive. No I dont expect everyone that walks through the door to tip, I know better than that to think cheapskates dont exist; however I also don't see the point of entering an establishment that generally recieves tips or ordering food from a place that generally receives tips if you don't plan on tipping. Take your lazy butt to the store a get your own food or drinks, why should I wait on your every need for $5 an hour with no tip? It's not about people being greedy and demanding tips, its about people knowing how much in tips they need to meet their bills. It's easy to tell some one to go out and get an education or a different job, but I'm sure you would be the first to complain delivery food no longer existed. "

BN_Democrat wrote on Mar 17, 2008 11:37 PM:

" How dare you selfish people not trip our food service workers! These people perform some of the most important jobs in our entire country. They are the everyday heroes that go un-thanked because we live in a country that allows individuals to keep the money they earn. The ealier comment about a living wage is partially right, except that everyone should be making the same living wage, regardless of education level and regardless of skill level. This country is full of people who worship the concept of God instead of worshipping the concept of the uptopia that can be achieved when Americans turn over their wealth to the government to be shared with everyone for the common good. I know it would be difficult for some to let go of the old ways, but in those instances the government could use force to achieve compliance. Once we are all equal in wealth, we will treat everyone equally, delivery drivers included! I am confident that we will bring this truth closer to reality with Obama as President! Go Dems!!! "

CSFW wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:42 PM:

" Back when I deliveried pizza, I didn't expect tips, but it sure did help. What many people aren't aware of is that restaurants are permitted to pay sub-minimum wage because it's assumed the wait staff or in this case, delivery driver, will make enough in tips to equal minimum wage. Also, the government assumes that you're making a certain percentage in tips and they tax you accordingly whether you actually made any tips or not. So, if you didn't make any tips and after the government gets their mandatory cut, you're conceivably making no more than a couple dollars an hour. Should restaurants pay more? Definitely! Just don't complain when the cost for your food goes up too. By the way HG, the workers at the drive-thru don't have to get soaked in a driving rain, get frost bitten from wind chill, wade through knee-high snow drifts and brave icy roads to bring you your food. Lastly, please keep in mind everyone, that in a rough economy, or if you live in a small town, jobs aren't always that easy to come by. So, switching jobs isn't always an option. "

In Japan wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:03 PM:

" People will give you about 50 million excuses as to why they won't tip you, but less than a handful don't translate into, "I'm a cheapskate, and I can easily screw the pizza guy/Chinese food guy out of a few bucks because I can slam the door in his face." Whether you like to tip or not, this is how many service industries operate in America and a few bucks ain't going to break most people's bank. Funny thing about delivery charges, the company usually keeps part or most of the delivery charge, only giving a portion to a driver. "

cocoa wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:00 PM:

" When we have food delivered, we tip generously. Unfortunately, we've had to tighten the grip on our wallets due to the economy as well as so many others, so we now don't order as often as we used to. We used to order once a week & have it delivered. Now we order once a month, and we try to coordinate picking up our food on the way home from running other errands to save gas and tip. Sorry, delivery people. :( "

Zeva wrote on Mar 17, 2008 5:22 PM:

" Gallows98, I'm NOT complaining. I'm merely stating a fact about how people are living today. It is difficult to say the least. If you have a degree and have to work a second job, something is terribly wrong. I would be looking elsewhere. Many doors open once you have a degree and you should check each door to see where your needs are met, it's certainly not delivering pizza! "

HD wrote on Mar 17, 2008 4:40 PM:

" To Red Cheeky: Do you tip your Dentist? Or your doctor? In my opinion there services are more important. I know your arguement will be "They make enough" but, maybe thats because they went to college for 6 years for that reason!! They are paying loans and insurance and dont make as much as you think.... Red Cheeky, do you tip the drivethru people they usually make minimum wage and also serve you, infact they have more interaction with you then the pizza delievery guy. "

Red Reeky wrote on Mar 17, 2008 3:04 PM:

" There are a lot of cheapskates in BN, and a couple are mouthing off here. HD for example, do you think the delivery guy has much control over how fast you get your pizza? It's not like a restaurant where a little hustle can make a big difference. If you ever really did wait tables, I bet you were the biggest complainer if someone stiffed you. Do servers everywhere a favor and stick to the drivethru. "

AM wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:49 PM:

" I tip generously for good service. I haven't had to part with many tips in the last 10 years. "

Crybaby wrote on Mar 17, 2008 1:24 PM:

" Yep! The times is a'gettin' tight. Much like my belt. Which is why, these days, I can only afford three $24 pizzas a week. Geez: now the drivers want a tip? Oh, the humanity. "

HD wrote on Mar 17, 2008 1:12 PM:

" First off, I did work in a service industry if you read my post... I was a waiter for almost 6 years, through high school and college. They will never take away delievery, it brings them too much business (many less people would order if they had to get up off the couch to do it). Why is everyone hating on the people who dont like to tip for an expected service. Why dont they hate on Pizza Hut for not paying their employees any more. If NOBODY tipped, then nobody would want to be a pizza delievery man, and then the pizza place would pay more to hire people to drive around... and for the record I do tip, very well actually, But I dont tip when someone expects it, which is why it is a TIP and NOT part of a fee!! "

2 cents wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:54 PM:

" To: Fyi you must have worked at the south main micky leo's that got busted and closed down. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:20 PM:

" to BN Republican,,,,,,,,AMEN, well said. "

mizzlin wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:19 PM:

" Dear Mr. Moss, I remember your article from a few months back, and I remember the uproar that it caused amongst the pro and con bloggers. I personally believe that if you deliver pizza, you chose to do it. You are getting paid to do a job. Noone twisted your arm and told you that this is what you HAD to do to earn money. I always tip, in accordance with the type of service I was given. I don't believe that old crap about tipping a certain percentage of my bill. Some of the nasty ppl that posted before talked about how if they weren't tipped what they thought they should have been given, they do nasty things to food or in the case of the driver, puts that person last on the list to deliver, which results in being given cold pizza. These are acts of spite. All it will get you is absolutely nothing, because there are too many other places for ppl to patronize. Times are hard for everybody that is of the working class. Quit trying to drive this subject into the ground. If you don't like what your earning, find another job. "

lalakeys wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:15 PM:

" I used to be a good tipper, back when most pizza places had free delivery. But it really bugs me to be expected to pay twice for the same service, on top of taxes. So now I just pick up my pizza myself and avoid the tipping issue altogether. It's been several years since I ordered any food delivered to my door! "

BN_Republican wrote on Mar 17, 2008 10:57 AM:

" Why should I tip the pizza guy? If he wanted money, he should have prayed harder. We have record low unemployment. If he applied himself, he could be working in a cubicle for a CEO right now! I'll bet the workers at State Farm or Country Companies don't have to beg for tips. They honor God with their service to the Wealthy and have the material rewards to show for it!

This is the greatest country in the world, thanks to God's Blessings. Anyone who wants a high paying job can get a high paying job. It just takes faith! Look for all of that to change if you ingrates elect a Muslim for President. "

FYI wrote on Mar 17, 2008 10:52 AM:

" I always cleared about $20 per hour delivering the pizzas, and $100+ more per hour delivering the pot WITH the pizza. The good ole days.... "

DT Resident wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Wow...HD is obviously someone who has never worked in the service industry. Maybe delivery drivers, bartenders and restaurant workers wouldn't need tips if they were paid a "living wage." Sorry but minimum wage is truly not enough to live on these days...even if they did just recently raised it. Bartenders and restaurant workers make less than minimum and need tips to pay bills. Delivery drivers may make minimum but they also have to pay for the repairs/gas on their cars. You can sit there from your high and mighty pedestal in your cubicle and judge all you want saying "get an education" but then who would deliver your food and get you your beer? Some people choose to do these things for a living. Tipping is customary in our country. You don't want to tip? Then go to a country where tipping isn't necessary. And yes, I do have a college education and do work in a cubicle...but I'm also close to many people in the service industry and see just how it affects their lives when tips aren't being given. "

Gallows98 wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:25 AM:

" To Zeva & HD: Stop to think a minute. Do you think that maybe there's a slight possibility that Mr. Moss does have a good job and that this pizza delivery is something on the side for supplemental income? There are alot of people that have to work more than one job to make ends meet - myself included. And I have a college degree and a better than average "career" job but still work a second job to make my ends meet. Don't thumb your nose so quickly at those in the service industry - you may just miss having a delivery option once it's gone. Then what will you have to complain about? "

bored wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:07 AM:

" I tip for any type food delievery. I've known people who had delievery jobs and I've heard the stories. They are happy to get anything $1 or more. "

HD wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:30 AM:

" I always tip the pizza guy, however after reading this article I will be more inclined NOT to. Tips are supposed to be a gratuities, not mandatory. Perhaps you dont speak for all delievery people, but expecting a tip for doing nothing more then your job is rediculous! I was a waiter and had to do more then just deliever the food to earn my tip. I also agree with the fact that if their are delivery charges, it seems like tipping is paying fees twice. There is no delievery fee for your food at a resturant! If you are so unhappy delievering pizza maybe you should attend school or something and get a real job! "

lizzie wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:16 AM:

" I tip. I am remembered and the same drivers come out to my home to deliver and hey, service is good!

Sometimes you do get what you pay for. "

Bluegrass American wrote on Mar 17, 2008 7:18 AM:

" Minimum wage and you use your own car, provide your own insurance, pay for any tickets you get and pay for the gas to deliver pizza's for a business.

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