I think it really depends on the kind of place you're getting to-go from. I worked at a restaurant as a hostess/to-go person/occasional busboy and I would just take the orders over the phone, and package them up for the customer.. I never thought I should get a tip because it was part of my job. While at some places I guess there is more involved (although unless you're cooking the food too, I'm not sure what else you'd be doing other than taking the order, boxing it up, and ringing up the customer), at a lot of places there isn't, so people don't tip.

About the baby thing: Even if your baby is the most well behaved child in the world, the server has probably seen 15 other demon babies who have screamed and cried the entire meal before your party came in. It's not an excuse to be rude by any means, but when most of the babies you've dealt with have been terrors (and if you're a teenager and aren't that fond of babies yet), it's not your first reaction to make sure you say hi to the baby. Just giving the other perspective on it :)

Exactly, that's why I specified that the 20% isn't necessary, but 0% is a dick move. If I do work for someone and my making money depends on how I do it, I'm going to do my best to earn it. If I do, hold up your end of the bargain. That's all I'm saying.

I had no idea what age kids were supposed to do what when I waitressed in college, but I always at least asked if they needed anything for the baby (water for a bottle, milk, juice, napkins....anything). I'm pretty sure that's all kddani is expecting.

I guess when I was working (as a hostess though, not a waitress; I never took food orders except to-go) because the parents always seemed to have stuff for their babies. It was rare to see a little kid without a sippy cup or cheerios or something, probably because it was a Mexican restaurant and most parents didn't want to give the baby food that could upset their stomach, so they brought from home.

If I go to a restaurant and wait at the bar while my food is cooking, I'll tip at least SOMETHING. If I am just picking it up, though, I don't see the point of tipping.

I will only tip my "normal" amount if I'm dining in.

I wasn't even talking about a first reaction - I certainly don't expect that. But if you go through the entire meal without even looking at her and smiling, it comes across as pretty rude. I don't expect people to play peek-a-boo with her, but if you act as if she isn't even there the entire meal, that's rude. Especially in a service industry.

My younger daughter is a waitress who gets great tips and feedback because she goes above and beyond with families - having brothers 10 and 12 years younger than herself means she has mad baby amusing skills!

My niece being 11 years younger than me set me up pretty well. This past Sunday morning, while still a tad bit hungover, my 2nd table was 15 people, 8 kids. At the end of the meal the parents told me they had a bet as to whether I had kids of my own or was just an uncle. They said I was one of the best waiters to ever take care of them, and they tipped accordingly. For how I was feeling that morning, you should have heard the anger that was going through my head when they sat down...haha

I am bad with babies. 2 years old and up, I'm great. I just can't pull off the cheesy parent talk because I'm not one. If that kid is 2 or 3, though, he'll love me.

That's brilliant. Next time someone wants to go to a Mexican place, I should bring cheerios. My body hates me when I eat Mexican

Bump because we are having a good tip/gratuity convo in the "What do you feel like saying..." thread.

I always prefer to tip with cash on the table vs. leaving the tip on my debit/credit card. I know the server is told/given the tip from my card, but I always think that when they see my cashless, recently vacated table their first words or thoughts are "oh hayle naw, that &$%^%$^ didn't tip me."

So, even when I'm leaving the tip on my card, I try to tell the server that's what I'm doing...

I think most servers know to look on the check if there is no money on the table, but most servers appreciate cash more.

LOL.

I tend not to leave cash on a table. I give the cash to the server or tell the server it is on the table before I leave the restaurant. At some restaurants I'm paranoid that the "table cleaning crew" may take the cash before the server sees it.

I usually leave tips on my card. Servers are quick to look on the receipt for the tip so I'm not afraid they will think I didn't tip.

I would always prefer to get a cash tip because the money could be taken home that night. My paychecks for 2 weeks were usually under $75 (remember, they have to account for taxes on all of the tips you make, which includes cash tips… so it’s taken out of your tips that you receive from credit/debit cards). Getting a paycheck so small is pretty depressing. But walking out of the restaurant with $80-120 in my pocket on a good night was awesome :)

I try to give servers cash whenever I can, but it’s not too often. Let’s face it… people generally don’t carry that much cash anymore.