Tipping the pizza delivery driver is to me a critical part of developing your personal view of the world. I tip. I try to tip well. Why? The person who drives my pizza over and walks up is working for little money, can be doing a dangerous job, and trying to keep a smile on. And he has my dinner in his hand.

Here are my criteria for tipping:

Just showing up about when the person on the phone said you would. That is basic. You got to get there on time. If you are late because the guys in the back did a bad job, then tell them because I will tell you why you got a below normal tip. Oh and if you are early? So much the better. Since I basically ordered the pizza when I was getting hungry, getting it a little early can mean more tip. I probably have the money ready by the door and have extra for tip. I try to have enough for a good tip and take money away based on the time etc.

Crummy weather. How many people order a pizza because it was too bad to go out to eat? Lots do and I add to my tip based on how bad it is. It there is ice, you can get a lot more from me. I don't want to be out there and if you are willing to come to my house, brother, you deserve a break. If you are the only car I see on my street, I'll probably give you enough for a down payment on an SUV.

Smile. Yes, a smile does wonder for my tipping. If you are pleasant and courteous, I'll be pleasant and courteous back and reward you. If you have a cigarette dangling from your lips and you are just looking to move on and deliver more pizza, two things will happen. Little or no tip and I'll probably call the restaurant to complain or worse, stop going there.

Notice, if the pizza isn't piping hot, I'm less likely to tip down. A lot of times it isn't your fault as a delivery driver. I also don't care if you are in a uniform. Just show up on time. I also take into account gas prices too. Hey the restaurant may be only a mile or so away, but it costs you gas. I can imagine the restaurant pays for that. And if they do, somehow, the driver gets taken a little. I try to add a bit for that now.

I like to pay with cash if I can. If I can't pay or I'm able to pay with a credit card on the phone, I like to pay my tip in cash. That way, only the driver and I know what the tip was. Also, I think it gets to them faster.

So how much is a lot. I have given the driver the same as the bill once. It was the worst weather ever. He was on time and pleasant about the whole thing. He got what he deserved. Now I don't care if they put my name up as "bigger tipper" on the map. I don't really care, since my son will order a pizza too. He doesn't understand the big deal. I've thought about making him be a pizza delivery guy to teach him about hard work, but I don't like my car to smell like old pizza.

Learn more about this author, Rich Harrington.
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