Family Debates If Tipping Is Still Mandatory After Restaurant Refuses Delivery

Tipping has always been one of those little social minefields—simple in theory but tricky in practice. Most of us know the drill: servers, delivery drivers, bartenders, and other hospitality workers rely on tips as part of their income.

But what happens when the lines blur? When you end up doing part of the work yourself—or when a restaurant’s delivery system completely falls apart—how much, if anything, should you tip?

That’s exactly what happened to the OP of today's story. The family had been craving food from a local tavern known for its surprisingly good dishes, but for the past few weeks, every time they called for delivery, they were told it wasn’t available.

Online menus and social media still promised delivery, but reality didn’t match the ads. Frustrated but determined, they placed their order and ended up picking it up themselves.

When they returned home, one family member asked if the OP had tipped the bartender who handed over the bag. The response was simple: the cook gets paid a regular wage, and no one else actually delivered the food—so why tip?

Instantly, the family split in half. Some agreed completely, seeing no reason to reward someone for work they didn’t do.

Others felt that tipping had become a social expectation, almost automatic, regardless of circumstances. This debate taps into a larger question about tipping culture: when is it truly deserved, and when is it just a habit?

The OP writes...

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OP wanted to know if this was just bad timing or if they just stopped offering delivery

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OP wasn't going to tip the bartender for literally handing the bag over

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The comments rolled in from other Redditors...

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A ridiculous expectation

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The tipping culture in general

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Picking up a meal

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The OP replied the above comment saying...

You know, it's an interesting concept, because different people are going to have a different threshold on tipping.I know some people who tip, even if they got really bad service or the food was horrible.Some people tip their mail carriers, other people do not.When I had my paperoute when I was 11, I'd say less than 10 people out of my 75 subscribers tipped.I tip at the chinese buffet, as people are constantly offering refills and theres always people running in and out of kitchen to refill dishes. But I don't tip at Golden Corral and now I'm wondering why and what would the difference even be.

And the comments continues...

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The food industry

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The bare minimum

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Once in a lifetime service

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In the end, the family got their food, but not without a little tension—and a lot of questions about tipping etiquette. What started as a craving turned into a small lesson in patience, frustration, and the tricky rules of modern dining.

Some members felt vindicated for refusing to tip someone who didn’t actually deliver the meal, while others still believe tipping is an unspoken social contract, even when circumstances don’t quite fit. Ultimately, the takeaway is clear: sometimes you have to pick up the slack and decide for yourself what’s fair.

The restaurant didn’t deliver, the cook did their job, and the family learned that tipping isn’t always black and white. Verdict - not the AH.