Greensboring :: Outside The Media. Beyond The News.

I mean, it's fast food.... but then it's sort of like a restaurant where they serve you. Should you tip at Sonic?

I always wondered that.

I've done both in the past, though recently (when we go) I haven't.

The main reason I say no is because of their addition of the credit card slots in the menu. If tipping was customary then they'd include a function to do so on the credit card... right?

But it is a "drive-in" so to speak, and wasn't in customary during the 70's to tip the roller waitress? (or person)

I tip at a place where they serve me at a table. Getting served while sitting in my car is to me exactly like going through a drive-thru.

They want tips, they can get a job at Steak-n-Shake.

SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:They want tips, they can get a job at Steak-n-Shake.

Wow that sounded conservative republican almost.

Liv wrote:

SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:They want tips, they can get a job at Steak-n-Shake.

Wow that sounded conservative republican almost.

What, suggesting that they move up in the world to a slightly better place that also has a continuous merry-go-round in their personnel files? Sorry... "human resources"?

SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:What, suggesting that they move up in the world to a slightly better place that also has a continuous merry-go-round in their personnel files? Sorry... "human resources"?

Sounds like Biscuitville. I know of one that has a huge neon "Now Hiring" sign. You know they have to have a pretty high turnover to invest in something like that.

I don't go to Sonic that often. If I do, sometimes I will let them keep the change. Maybe it would be different if they were coming around to make sure my drink was full....

These kids (some of them have kids to support too) are working for a rediculously low wage. Why not help ease their pain by giving them 15% extra. Hey, you don't have to wash the dishes, or clean up the mess, and they do. They work hard, really hard, and get paid very little. I think all waitresses and waiters and sometimes even the cash register staff and other workers should get tipped. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. If you don't want to tip, you are just cheap and mean and don't understand the plight of the hard-working laborers who serve you and who are just scraping by. Don't be cheap, tip 20% or more and really show your appreciation for their efforts.

This one got me thinking, as I guess it's no real difference than a drive-thru with someone giving you Fast Food.
I have always tipped, but mainly because they walked to my car. 20% would seem alot and as another post says they aren't checking your drink is topped up

Slightly altering subject: Tipping is mostly unheard of in many countries. It's interesting how attitudes differ from place to place.

One more thing, I have to ask: Why is the Empire State Building badly photoshopped into that pic Liv??

Sanjuro wrote:One more thing, I have to ask: Why is the Empire State Building badly photoshopped into that pic Liv??

Dunno... Just a random image pulled from Google...

Didn't notice.

Sanjuro wrote:Slightly altering subject: Tipping is mostly unheard of in many countries. It's interesting how attitudes differ from place to place.

I saw an iPhone application available the other day that says it will give you inforamtion on different tipping customs for most travel destinations around the world. Apparently, percentages that are "normal" differ all over the world.

I don't tip at Sonic for two reasons.

1. I understand that they get paid at least minimum wage as opposed to whatever waitstaff minimum wage is these days. Therefore, Sonic staff does not rely on tips to increase their hourly wage.

2. Their set up for ordering (outdoor kiosk or phone at table) requires someone to bring your order to the table, but they don't check on you... so they're not really waiting on you.

Serendipitous wrote:I don't tip at Sonic for two reasons.

1. I understand that they get paid at least minimum wage as opposed to whatever waitstaff minimum wage is these days. Therefore, Sonic staff does not rely on tips to increase their hourly wage.

But, it is still minimum. I think even McDonalds pays more than minimum.

Serendipitous wrote:2. Their set up for ordering (outdoor kiosk or phone at table) requires someone to bring your order to the table, but they don't check on you... so they're not really waiting on you.

But, they are going out in the weather to hand you food as opposed to simply standing in one spot taking money and handing you a bag, so there is that element of extra 'service' involved.

I must admit, I too, make my judgement based on payment infrastructure. Since it doesn't give an option in the outdoor credit-card signs, I'd say no.

But....

Look at Golden Coral... I always forget a tip, because I pay with a CC and never have cash, and they leave no way of doing it electronically....

Worst yet, should you really tip for just a drink waitress? (waitperson)

Sanjuro wrote:

Serendipitous wrote:I don't tip at Sonic for two reasons.

1. I understand that they get paid at least minimum wage as opposed to whatever waitstaff minimum wage is these days. Therefore, Sonic staff does not rely on tips to increase their hourly wage.

But, it is still minimum. I think even McDonalds pays more than minimum.

...and it's still not my responsibility to give them part of my income to increase what they earn per hour just because they chose to work a low-paying job.

Sanjuro wrote:

Serendipitous wrote:2. Their set up for ordering (outdoor kiosk or phone at table) requires someone to bring your order to the table, but they don't check on you... so they're not really waiting on you.

But, they are going out in the weather to hand you food as opposed to simply standing in one spot taking money and handing you a bag, so there is that element of extra 'service' involved.

...and that's part of the job description for the job they chose to work.

I dunno. Maybe some of these folks should do competitive gaming to supplement their income!

Liv wrote:I must admit, I too, make my judgement based on payment infrastructure. Since it doesn't give an option in the outdoor credit-card signs, I'd say no.

But....

Look at Golden Coral... I always forget a tip, because I pay with a CC and never have cash, and they leave no way of doing it electronically....

Worst yet, should you really tip for just a drink waitress? (waitperson)

Ahh.... I usually pay with CC at the GC; however, at the one I go to I tell them I'd like to go ahead and add a tip to the card and then they will give me the cash (usually a dollar) to leave on the table. Problem solved!


Oh, BTW, I NEVER tip at places like Subway or Moe's or any places like that.

Pineview Style wrote:

Liv wrote:Look at Golden Coral... I always forget a tip, because I pay with a CC and never have cash, and they leave no way of doing it electronically....

Worst yet, should you really tip for just a drink waitress? (waitperson)

Ahh.... I usually pay with CC at the GC; however, at the one I go to I tell them I'd like to go ahead and add a tip to the card and then they will give me the cash (usually a dollar) to leave on the table. Problem solved!

I never tip on the credit card at Golden Corral. I want to see what level of service I'll get before I commit.

But I always leave cash on the table. Not much -- the only service I get is drinks and plates.

SouthernFriedInfidel wrote:

Pineview Style wrote:

Liv wrote:Look at Golden Coral... I always forget a tip, because I pay with a CC and never have cash, and they leave no way of doing it electronically....

Worst yet, should you really tip for just a drink waitress? (waitperson)

Ahh.... I usually pay with CC at the GC; however, at the one I go to I tell them I'd like to go ahead and add a tip to the card and then they will give me the cash (usually a dollar) to leave on the table. Problem solved!

I never tip on the credit card at Golden Corral. I want to see what level of service I'll get before I commit.

But I always leave cash on the table. Not much -- the only service I get is drinks and plates.

Actually, since they go ahead and give you the cash for the tip at the register, I can still keep my dollar if I change my mind and decide not to tip. Other than that, I never leave a tip on the card before the meal.

Sonic's roller-waitresses and waiters make LESS than minimum wage in Arizona. They make $4.25 an hour and the rest is up to tips, but if people don't tip then they make close to nothing, not even enough to go buy groceries at the end of the week. Please tip the roller-waitresses they make so much less than anyone else in the building and they have to be in the heat (at least in Arizona). You will be helping them out.

Off topic but damn I wish I lived in Arizona.

Sanjuro wrote:Off topic but damn I wish I lived in Arizona.

I did. While I hate to speak for you... it was my hell on earth... I dug, and clawed my way out from that place... You couldn't pay me enough money to go back.

Liv wrote:

Sanjuro wrote:Off topic but damn I wish I lived in Arizona.

I did. While I hate to speak for you... it was my hell on earth... I dug, and clawed my way out from that place... You couldn't pay me enough money to go back.

Sorry to hear that. My experiences have been fantastic there. The desert suits me.

What part? Are you fond of hot weather...

As you know I lived in Bullhead City... We were 10 or so miles from Needles, CA which is often the hottest place in the U.S. In the 2 years I lived there we had weather pushing 130F+ and weeks at a time over 120F... this was when we owned a black camaro with no a/c....

It was miserable. I can't count the times I had heat stroke.

There are parts of AZ which are beautiful and much more calm, but all I see when I think of AZ is me sticking a nipple in boiling water then pouring it over my head.... Just left a foul taste in my mouth... I'm much more suited for rainy, overcast, with an occasion pop of sun....

Even NC has gotten way to hot for me.