Unless I am at a restaurant with sit-down service, and where the server/s take/s care of my table, I don't tip. I used to wait tables in college, and there is a big difference between giving out breadsticks or asking someone if they want fries with that, and running food/refilling drinks/upselling specials and desserts. Mostly it's the difference between busting your butt for $2/hour vs. making an hourly wage and not having to do much thinking on your feet.

Food service aside, I do tip other service staff (hair stylist, car detail, concierge, dog groomer, etc.) where expected

This thread is giving me a craving for Sonic (although, I think if there was one around here, I wouldn't want it quite so much).

Are there fast food places in N/E that aren't elsewhere? I'm trying to remember from when I lived in Portland. We went to Friendley's a lot; is that strictly New England?

There is a Friendlys in Fairfax, VA...but I'm not sure if we're the tail end of the New England branch of Friendlys or not, I've never seen one anywhere else before.

I love Fribbles!


Friendly's is in the Northeast; they came to FL about 6 years ago (or more)... I've seen them in other places, but I can't remember where.

And that is why you tip if you want to or you don't. It's up to you.

Ditto. I want a Limeade BADLY.

Massachusetts has Kelley's Roast Beef (great roast beef sandwiches, clam rolls and onion rings); I thought Friendly's was just a northeast thing, but I could be wrong.

The Friendly's around here aren't nearly as good as they used to be; when I was a little kid my Grandma used to take me there all the time, and I loved it.

OK- thanks for your help and insights, everyone! I am glad to hear the carhops make more than servers at restaurants! That makes me not feel so bad when I don't tip. Usually when I pay in cash, I just tell them to keep the change (especially when it's cold outside, like a couple of you pointed out!). But now that I can pay by credit card right from the car, I don't tip.

I do feel quite sorry for those who live without Sonic in their daily lives.:) I just did a search on the Sonic web site and there are 10 Sonics within 10 miles of my house!!!! I swear someone in my house is going there at least once a day, if not twice.

You won't believe this- there are 69 Sonics within 25 miles of my house, according to the Sonic web site!

I can kind of feel your pain with the advertisements, though---- I wish there was a Boston Market where I live!

Oh and I used to always want a Krispy Kreme, but now that we actually have one, they kind of gross me out with all that sugary glaze. I can have about a half of one before I am comatose.

Thanks everyone for your input!

I can walk to a Boston Market. Let's figure out a way to send each other food.

Krispy Kreme. Yum. This one girl I know swears as if Dunkin Donuts is the best. I've had Dunkin before, but I forgot what it was like.


Boston Market is good. I like their stuffing, but not so much their chicken . I prefer fried chicken. Popeyes, KFC, Churches is definately for me.


I wish we had more Sonics around :(

We have Friendly's here, they are okay but used to be much better as a kid.

I think its a place to takes kids, now that I think about it.

Dunkin Donuts is ok, if the donuts are fresh. A big problem is, unlike Krispy Kreme, if you go at night the donuts have been sitting there all day. People in New England love the place though, especially for the coffee. It's ok, but I'm not that huge of a fan.

I was a fan of Krispy Kreme when it first came here, but the novelty wore off (same thing with Quizno's, although I still like their subs). The ones in Massachusetts aren't doing well, though, and the one in Boston just closed recently.

Boston Market is ok; they used to have great chicken salad sandwiches, but the ones around here don't serve them anymore. They have them on the rest stops along the Mass. Pike, so it's a better alternative than McDonalds. They do have good stuffing, and their sandwiches are decent.

I don't think I've ever even THOUGHT about tipping the Sonic people.... I mean... to me it's like any other fast food place... like. I dunno... I also don't get to go there that often as the closest one is about 2 hours away or so. It's very cruel to see late night Sonic commercials and not be able to run out and purchase a limeaid. :(

Dunkin so kicks Krispy Kreme to the curb. I agree with WLFEO, KK is way too sweet. I had one yesterday and had a hard time finishing it. Now that you can get KK in every convenience store & grocery store, the quality isn't the same as when they first came here.