YOU ASK / WE ANSWER / YOU DECIDE

big tip is always required for takeout orders. But I’m not sure how much to tip in this case, either. I usually try to tip a little anyway — maybe 10 percent or a dollar or two on a small to-go order or a higher percentage for a more complicated one. After all, waiting on a table is a longer, more involved process. However, it’s also good to recognize that sometimes, packaging up to-go orders takes regular workers away from waiting tables — and the tips that go with that duty. Restaurants pay servers with the expectation that tips are part of the wage, so their actual paychecks are often less than minimum wage. Keep that in mind when weighing a tip — a few dollars added to the cost of your meal might make all the difference to someone else, even if it’s just for takeout.

HELEN’S ANSWER: It seems to me if someone hands me a bag with my food in it, a tip is not in order. If they are the ones who package it up and get everything together for my order, a small tip would be good. Tipping is usually defined as “for services rendered.”

For that big order, if the waitress had to bag it up and carry it to the car, a tip would have been appreciated. If I am picking up a small order curbside, I usually add a couple of dollars to the bill.

GUEST’S ANSWER: Dave Cathey, Food Editor, The Oklahoman: Delivery drivers do rely on tips to make their wage. Some of the new delivery services allow the customer to tip on their phone after the driver has left to give time to assess the quality of the job.

As for how much, that’s always at the discretion of the customer, but 20 percent is a good place to start. Tipping is optional on carryout. The tip pops up because there’s only one point-of-sale system in place, and it automatically adds the gratuity line. But if the person at the counter is extra helpful, let ‘em know you appreciate the effort.

Callie Athey is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.