This was a Facebook question.
Jessica wrote on Facebook,
"I've been getting a lot more takeout than ever before.
"So how much should I be tipping if I'm picking up my meal
"versus having it delivered?"
You wanna start an argument and you ask 10 people
their thoughts on tipping
and you'll get 10 different opinions.
So, it is a difficult challenging one,
again, as with the previous question, somewhat guided
by what your own financial circumstances are.
However, this one's got the added layer
that we know and Rachel, you better than anyone know
that the whole hospitality industry has been so hard hit
by this pandemic.
It may be that you've got friends
and family members who work in restaurants
that have been just completely shuttered
for the past six, seven, eight months
or maybe never to reopen.
So the fact that we're doing that much more takeout
than we normally would, I want everyone to be mindful
that providing your own circumstances allow
that you are generous,
even when you're doing a pickup order for takeout.
So I recommend for takeout 10%, pandemic or no.
And I recommend for delivery, 15 to 20%.
And during times of pandemic,
or if there's any kind of an increased lockdown
in your community where you're just not leaving
your home at all, or there's a huge snow storm,
they're saving you the trouble of going outside.
They're the frontline responders in the world of food.
Remember them accordingly and and if you can,
even more than 20%.
Of course, given the constraints of your own budget
and what you can do, do whatever you can,
cause this is an industry that's really disappearing.
It's on all of us, frankly,
to support them on the grass root level.
Hey Rachel, Hey Mr. Manners, I'm Kelly
I'm Drew.
We live in Indiana with our three year old daughter.
And we've been following
the recommended precautions during COVID
and social distancing.
Some of our friends and family members, however,
haven't been taking the same precautions.
And then they're wondering why Kelly and I
don't wanna hang out with them.
So, we were wondering, what's a polite way
to tell them why we can't hang out.
And also, how can we encourage them to make better choices?
That's such a great question you guys,
and it really touches everyone's lives.
It's a super question, Kelly, Drew, thank you.
And Rachel, I totally agree.
This is something that we're all grappling with now,
and there may be any number of reasons
why someone feels they need to stay at home
or they need to quarantine or wear mask,
keep that social distance.
And we're seeing varying levels of the way people interact
and the way people feel that they can rise to that occasion.
I live in New York city.
I've got friends that I have not seen
since the start of this pandemic.
It's because everyone's comfort zone is different.
I think for starters, Kelly and Drew, I think how terrific
and we know Hoosiers are friendly people.
How terrific that your family loves you that much,
that you are clearly missed.
I'd actually be starting to worry
if they're saying, "Yeah, don't worry about it,
"it's fine that you're not coming.
"We'll see you whenever, see in 2025."
So I think it's great to be wanted.
The key is how you phrase your declines.
And I think rather than passing judgment on them,
you are most likely not gonna change their minds
about any of this.
Unless you think that someone is putting themselves
in dire object, jeopardy, I would simply say for yourselves,
we're at this point where we're respecting
the local guidance here in our community, in Indiana.
And for that reason,
we're not seeing any friends or family in large gatherings,
but we miss you very, very much.
We'd love to participate in a family gathering,
maybe virtually if you can do so.
You may be pleasantly surprised.
Maybe they're doing a lot more respecting
of those distancing guidelines,
when they're getting together than you imagine.
And then I would try also, see if there is a way for you
to get together one on one
with some distinct members of this family,
where you can set different ground rules
and you'll feel a little bit safer
and that you're also protecting them as well.
Do you think that's something you could try and do
maybe think about making an invitation on your own?
Absolutely.
Absolutely
I think it's better if it's coming from us,
but I really liked how you said, you know,
explain how we miss them and we're trying to find
a middle ground compromise, but it's on our terms.
So we know we'll follow the guidelines that we feel
is best for our family.
As always, I love visiting with Thomas.
And if you guys want more great advice, anytime you like,
you can get it on Mr.-manners.com.
It's even pleasant to say, isn't it?