Dear Jacquelyn,

I’ve just started using on-demand food delivery services. Should I tip the delivery driver and, if so, how much?

Dear Reader,

Tipping etiquette has largely remained unchanged even though the method of delivery has evolved.

Your delivery person goes to a restaurant near you and brings the food to your door, providing a convenient service that makes your life easier.

When you consider tipping an on-demand food delivery service, think of it the same way that you tip the pizza-delivery driver. Ordering from an app doesn’t absolve you of the tipping practice.

Keep in mind: Tips are not included in the cost of food. It is important to take note that if you see the added cost of a delivery fee, it is not a driver gratuity.

Like many service jobs, it would seem that the majority of a delivery driver’s take-home pay is tips earned. Drivers rely on tips. All on-demand delivery services have different tipping policies but one thing remains similar, it’s still common courtesy to tip the driver.

You should try to tip at least a few dollars per order, with $5 or 20 percent of the total order, whichever is larger, being a reasonable tip for someone delivering your food.

Of course, you should factor in the quality of the service you received. If there’s good service or it’s a large order, tipping a few bucks extra is appreciated.

If the driver missed some items in your order, you might justify leaving a smaller tip. However, make sure that you’re not punishing your delivery driver for something that may not have been his or her fault.

You usually have the option to tip with the app or you can tip in cash.

If you want to guarantee that the driver gets the tip, pay it the old-fashioned way, in cash. Hand your tip to the driver and you’ll be all set.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training. She is on the board of directors of the National Civility Foundation.

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2020 Jacquelyn Youst