Buzz
The East Coast is currently being pummeled by a 'bomb cyclone,' which is bringing blizzard-like conditions in the north and snow in the south. If you've somehow missed all the apocalyptic weather warnings and memes over the past few days—and didn't stock up on essentials at Trader Joe’s—you might be thinking about ordering delivery. It’s pretty awful out there, and you have a lot of episodes of *The Crown* to catch up on, plus your new flannel sheets are *extremely* cozy. But is it a good idea to place an order?
My personal take: don't do it. You had plenty of time to grab food, toilet paper, and anything else you'll need for a day indoors. It's a blizzard, people! And if you live in New York or another major city, the person delivering your food has probably walked or biked in these harsh conditions. But as noted by our friends at Deadspin, delivery workers depend on tips to make a living, as they aren't paid minimum wage. This makes things a bit trickier.
If you absolutely must have your sesame chicken and egg roll combo, tip much more than the standard 20%. Here are some tips to help you decide how much to give.
Don't use Seamless. Instead, call the restaurant directly to place your order. Seamless takes a commission on every order, so if you're truly aiming to help your local pizza joint, contacting them directly (or ordering via their website) is the way to go.
Don't order from your favorite Chinatown spot if you live on the Upper East Side. Stick to a restaurant that's nearby.
Always tip in cash. It may feel more generous to tip on your card, but the person braving the snow and sleet might not benefit from that.
Tip at least $10. This was the consensus among two editors and myself, and we make the rules. You can afford it.
Tip 20% plus a few extra dollars, as Gothamist suggests, if your order totals more than $10.
Or tip 50% if you order a bit more than a single meal. Obviously, if you're ordering $250 worth of food, 50% is excessive. But if you're ordering, say, $15 worth of food, a 20% tip plus a few extra bucks won't cut it.
Or simply double your usual tip. Seriously, it's terrible outside.
Consider offering the delivery person a warm beverage before they head back out into the frozen wasteland.
In short: tip well, more than you think is necessary. And make sure to stay cozy.
