In today's dining landscape, it's quite common to encounter tipping options at fast food restaurants and other over-the-counter spots. When you're ordering to go and getting ready to pay, a screen often pops up asking for a tip. Hawaii News Now decided to find out what customers at the Kuhio Food Hall in Waikiki think about this. Hank Ravestein said, "No, it doesn't matter (if it's takeout or sit down), I tip 15%." Ernest Lee, however, has a different view. He stated, "If I am standing ordering my meal and getting it to sit down, then typically, it's not tipped." Mike Palmer, a board member of the Hawaii Restaurant Association and the owner of the Kuhio Food Mall in Waikiki, explained that tipping depends on the situation. He said, "So I just tell people do what you are comfortable with — if you don't want to tip, don't tip, if you get great service and encourage that person behind the counter, you know they are working hard for their money." Palmer also added that while many are stuck with tipping based on percentages, there are other options, especially for over-the-counter service. "On almost every tipping system that has that option, people don't realize, they think they have to automatically put in 15 to 20, 25%, but there is usually an option on those screens like ours says you hit 'other,' you tip a custom amount — 50 cents, a dollar, whatever." He emphasized that a customer should not feel obligated to tip for mediocre or bad service. Instead, it should be based on the service provided. He further pointed out, "A lot of times, counter service people are not the highest compensated in the industry and I think personally, it's a great way to stimulate the economy by giving people an extra buck or two." For Andrew Thomas, a server at the food mall, getting a tip is always appreciated but not expected. He said, "I just expect people to know that if they want to go ahead and, it makes my day and I just give them my service, whether they tip or not." And that's a tip on tipping that is definitely something to think about.
