Dear Jacquelyn,

The shelter-in-place has made it clear that just about anything you can buy can be delivered right to your doorstep. Our delivery workers play an essential role and put themselves in germs’ way. Please offer some guidance for tipping etiquette in this coronavirus era.

Dear Reader,

We have come to rely the on frontline workers who put their health before our own to deliver groceries and all the items we bought to make our time indoors as comfortable as possible this time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) stay-at-home mandates.

Delivery workers provide a lifeline to the homebound shoppers while the virus circulates.

The etiquette for tipping during a pandemic isn’t clear. This is the time when we should be generous, if we can. But there are no hard rules for how much extra to give.

What constitutes a fair tip in the age of COVID-19 is complicated.

Everyone is a little bit strapped, making it difficult to establish a set rule about how much to tip. Be a little bit generous and couple that with some common sense for your own situation.

Whether you’re getting a pizza delivered or a grocery delivery, right now you should tip at least 15 percent.

If you’re picking up a meal at a restaurant offering curbside, leave a tip.

There is a difference between curbside pickup and actual delivery. With home delivery, there’s more involved. A delivery person driving to your front door should get a little more money.

When you look over your bill, you may notice that a delivery fee has been added to your order total. Keep in mind that this money doesn’t go to your driver. Don’t use it as an excuse to pinch pennies with the tip. The delivery fee most likely covers costs for the restaurant. It’s really important not to confuse a delivery fee with a gratuity. They are two different things.

This a tough financial time for many. When you are tipping and you aren’t able to tip above and beyond your normal amount, just do what’s in your budget.

The bottom line is we should give what we can afford at this time.

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