It's Connecticut. It's snowing. All of the usual places in my area that deliver food are open, and they always say they're willing to deliver no matter what. I always tip the driver well, like 35% and sometimes when my math sucks I tip more, when the weather is nice.
However... considering the fact that it's snowing and the roads are slippery, is there any etiquette that's recognized to "not call for delivery" on days/evenings like this? If I want food from wherever, should I expect that I need to go get it myself? What about the tip if I do get delivery?
My husband got home from his PT job a town over, and he said the back roads are bad. Therefore, I did not order delivery. We felt it would be too dangerous even if I tipped well. Thank you VERY MUCH for the advice, because I'll keep it in mind for future delivery orders.
If I were at work to deliver food I would hate it if no one asked for delivery. If they don't want to deliver because of the snow they are going to say so, if not, let them earn their living.
If they are willing to deliver, go for it. Maybe just mention that you understand if the food takes a little longer, and you would prefer that the delivery person drives safely instead of rushing. :) I would tip about the same as usual, but on the generous side of your normal range.
ETA. Julie brings up a good point... Delivery drivers make diddly for wages. They depend on getting delivery calls, and he tips that come with to make their money. If they have to haul their butts to work, I imagine they would appreciate some business to make it worth their while.
My husband delivers and they don't really mind the weather itself, but it is the timing. Allow a little extra time to get to you. There are people that get pissed because it is more then the usual time to get to them and it is pouring rain or the streets are bad. And tipping more due to bad weather is always greatly appreciated. When it is an absolute white out, yeah, they would prefer not to but then they sit there. My husband's place closes to delivery when it is too dangerous.
When our local Chinese place is willing and able to deliver (they are maybe a mile from here) we throw in a bigger tip because WE didn't want to go out in this weather, so we appreciate that he did. I do not order if it's truly unsafe.
Nope, if they don't want to deliver they will tell you. You tip very well, so I would say tip as you always do :)
Order. The delivery drivers count on making more during bad weather. If the store is open and the driver is there, he wants to work! Tip extra well!
Regards,
M.
You sound very generous. I am sure they appreciate it.
The other day it was icy here but our mail person was delivering, I gave her a mug of hot tea.. It was so cold out there.
Yes. If the weather conditions are bad enough, that if you were feeling up to it, you wouldn't feel safe going out, then you shouldn't order delivery. Even if they say that they will deliver.
The tip depends on what you order. If you order a $10 pizza, then 35% is only $3.50, where I would do at least $5. If you order food that is $50, then I would do a $15 - 20 tip (30 - 35%)
I got really ticked off when we were expecting horribly dangerous driving conditions and managers were on the news saying that they had all their drivers on duty because they were expecting a lot of delivery orders. because "we don't' want to disappoint any customers". I was appalled. I would respect them more if they said, "sorry to disappoint you, but we don't want to put our employees in danger."
If it is rainy, fine. Cold? fine? Freezing, but safe to drive? fine? dangerous? I think: would I want my child having that job when he is in college (as most of the drivers seem to be)? Nope! So I don't call.
We don't have food delivery where I live, unlike where I grew up, but if the restaurant is open for business, I would ask if delivery is still available given the weather. If they are offering it, then I wouldn't hesitate to order. The delivery person may be depending on those delivery tips. They might prefer to make $50 on their shift for deliveries, and be hurting if no one places delivery orders. If the restaurant feels it's too dangerous to send an employee out, they will tell you. I would tip higher than usual, maybe 50% more than I usually would
That is very thoughtful. Where I live we have snow and slippery, rutted roads for at least four months a year, so we give no special consideration for road conditions when ordering delivery. (Personally I never order delivery because it is cheaper for me to pick up.)
We recently had a really bad snow storm and the news was talking about how busy the pizza delivery places were. I just couldn't believe it. My thought is that if it's too dangerous for me and my family to go out in, it's too dangerous for them to come to me in.
M
how nice to be so considerate!
i'd call and ask. if they sound hesitant or iffy, don't do it. but you're in CT where i'm assuming snow is a pretty constant thing, and the delivery drivers may well be seasoned pros with 4 wheel drives, and chomping at the bit to make some money.
if you have it delivered, i'd go above the usual 20%. and i wouldn't be too worried about the delivery time, expecting it to be longer than usual.
khairete
S.
