Are You Supposed to Tip on Takeout Orders? [Video]

Country music star Jason Aldean was recently involved in a bit of a tipping controversy.  According to various websites, like TMZ, Jason's road crew placed a huge order at Black Sheep Burrito and Brews in West Virginia.  A worker at the restaurant basically tweeted that Jason's guys left a really crappy tip.  But Jason's publicist clarified and claimed the order was a takeout order and the tip, given those circumstances, was an appropriate one.  So, that leads to this question . . . are you supposed to tip on takeout orders?

That's a really good question and, honestly, I don't know the answer.  Personally speaking, I typically do.  If I drive-thru the carryout window at Old Hickory, I leave a tip.  If I order carry out from Texas Roadhouse, I leave a tip.  If I visit the drive-thru window at Donato's, I typically leave a tip.  Now, admittedly, I don't always tip those folks 20%, but I do feel they have executed some measure of "service" in preparing my food for pickup and deserve some compensation for it.

Well, when Nashville Kat shared the Aldean story with us on the morning show, I decided to do a little research.  And, as it turns out, I am in a very small minority.   According to a 2014 CNBC poll, only 14% of Americans tip for takeout orders.

And, as you'll see in this NBC News report, one of the nation's leading etiquette experts, says tipping on takeout orders is unnecessary . . .

Yes!  Peter Post, from the Emily Post Institute, says there is "NO need to leave a tip when picking up a takeout order."

But, I don't know.  I just feel compelled to do it.  When I was in college, I worked in the food service industry and I relied on tips to make money, pay my rent and make it through college.  I fared pretty well and figure I can pay it forward in a way.

So, how about you?  Do you tip for takeout orders?