Random Thoughts Thread

[dsheinem]

I tip when I order take-out (someone is still cooking my food, ringing up my order, etc) but I have heard folks say it's not mandatory. Thoughts?

IMHO that's not really into tip territory. You're getting the bare minimum of service necessary to hand you the food. There wasn't any checking if you need a drink refill, sauces, or anything to make your meal proceed smoothly.

What I usually do (when I can) is sit and have a beer while the take-out is getting finished, tip nicely on the beer, and don't tip on the take-out.

[Luke]

Etiquette implies that second baby showers are 'tacky' because the purpose of the first is to receive baby things that the mother does not yet own.

The running joke in my family considering my Sister's baby, and baby to be is "What do you buy a two year old who has a plasma tv in her room?".

And I'm not kidding you, the 2 year old has her own iPad. An iPad! Let that sink in. My two year old niece has a plasma television in her room and has her own iPad.

I also believe that my Sister returns 90% of the gifts she receives. A cute get up from Wal-Mart? Nope. Her baby won't wear anything from Target or Wal-Mart. Her baby can't be seen in something like that at her Baby Yoga classes (again, I'm serious).

[MrPopo]

Luke, I say this with all the love in the world.

What the hell is wrong with your sister?

[dsheinem]

Etiquette implies that second baby showers are 'tacky' because the purpose of the first is to receive baby things that the mother does not yet own.

The running joke in my family considering my Sister's baby, and baby to be is "What do you buy a two year old who has a plasma tv in her room?".

And I'm not kidding you, the 2 year old has her own iPad. An iPad! Let that sink in. My two year old niece has a plasma television in her room and has her own iPad.

I also believe that my Sister returns 90% of the gifts she receives. A cute get up from Wal-Mart? Nope. Her baby won't wear anything from Target or Wal-Mart. Her baby can't be seen in something like that at her Baby Yoga classes (again, I'm serious).

Buy your sister some really high-end stuff for the kid. Let the kid wear it for a while.

Then, when the kid outgrows it, tell her you bought it all at a thrift store and/or a yard sale.

[fastbilly1]

Sounds like she needs a tribal sculpture from Pier One or one of those African shops that pop up in malls. With no markings to indicate that that is where it is from and no receipt.

[KitKatCara]

Speaking of etiquette, this is something I've been pondering lately. Do you tip when ordering take-out? There's a local Thai place my wife and I used to eat at all the time. But now that we have the baby I go there strictly for take-out. I tip when I order take-out (someone is still cooking my food, ringing up my order, etc) but I have heard folks say it's not mandatory. Thoughts?

Usually, if they work in the back of the house (kitchen and front register) they are making at least minimum wage. If they are servers, they are probably making only $2.15 an hour + tips. Food establishments get past the minimum wage requirements because they claim that the tips make up a part of their wage.

From my experience (I've worked at two food establishments) the servers usually take the to go orders, but they don't really require a lot of the server's time. It's not expected that the guest will tip but it's nice when they do. It's debatable if it's proper to tip or not though. This can vary, as some places have people who strictly work to go orders, and they are usually paid minimum wage.

When Jinx and I get Chinese takeout, I always tip. It was always a nice surprise when someone tipped me when I took their to go order, so I like to do the same to other people.


Luke, knowing that about your sister just makes the second shower look like a plea for attention. I would be spiteful and buy her all walmart clothes and make a point to ask about them later, but I'm mean like that.

[Luke]

it's not mandatory...

Exactly.

But! If I am greeted with an enthusiastic smile by someone who makes sure my order is correct I'll tip the guy at the drive-thru. When I can tell that someone in the service industry is going out of their way, I scratch their back. A compliment to the manager is great too, but money talks louder.

[fastbilly1]

To put a lighter mood on the thread, a story sent to me from my brother in law:

Delta Force had an opening for a new team member. After all the background checks, interviews, and testing were done, there were three finalists: an Air Force Pararescue, an Army Ranger, and a Marine Force Recon.

For the final test, the Delta Force examiner took the Airman to a large metal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you will follow orders, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room, you will find a man tied to a chair. Kill him!!!"

The Airman said, "You can't be serious. I could never shoot a helpless unarmed man." The examiner said, "Then you're not the right man for this job. Return to your unit."

The Soldier was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the Soldier came out with tears in his eyes. "I tried, but I can't kill a helpless stranger tied to a chair." The examiner said, "You don't have what it takes. Return to your platoon."

Finally, it was the Marine's turn. He was given the same instructions, to kill the man tied to the chair. He took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the Marine. He wiped the sweat from his brow. "This damn gun is loaded with blanks," he said. "I had to untie him, and then beat him to death with the chair."

[prfsnl_gmr]

Speaking of etiquette, this is something I've been pondering lately. Do you tip when ordering take-out? There's a local Thai place my wife and I used to eat at all the time. But now that we have the baby I go there strictly for take-out. I tip when I order take-out (someone is still cooking my food, ringing up my order, etc) but I have heard folks say it's not mandatory. Thoughts?

I suspect that the waitstaff has to pay "tip out" to the kitchen regardless of whether you are ordering in or taking out. Additionally, the waitstaff is probably taxed as if it had received a 10% tip on the order. Accordingly, I always tip 10% whenever I order take out.

[Luke]

Luke, I say this with all the love in the world.

What the hell is wrong with your sister?

If I could put my finger on it I would tell you. I know plenty of you think I am self absorbed, but you have noooooo clue. For one, my Sister has too much money and her job is basically talking to spoiled rich kids. For her, putting her car from P to D is a chore.