Not necessary. But a very wise friend once told me that if you question whether or not you should tip someone, why not do it? A dollar or two isn't that much out of your pocket, but it carries with it a sentiment of appreciation that could be priceless to the person you give it to.

Okay, this is in Food & Dining but I feel compelled to state that my assumtion is that the asker is refering specifically to food delivery people: Customary is a better way to put it, but I do it because proper etiquette is somewhat important to me and I don't want the guy to spit on my pizza the next time I call to have one delivered :) Yes, unless there is a tip added to the bill automatically or part of the "delivery charge" goes to the delivery person. According to CNN/Money: 10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery.* Mike Lynn, associate professor of consumer behavior at the Cornell Hotel School suggests tipping pizza delivery folk a minimum of $2 per pizza. His reasoning: Food delivery can be dangerous if delivering to crime-ridden neighborhoods or driving in bad weather, etc. The Web site www.tipthepizzaguy.com suggests the following: 15% for normal service, with a $2 minimum; 20% for excellent service; 10% or less for poor service; at least 10% for orders of $50 or more. Don't assume a delivery charge, if there is one, goes to the pizza deliverer. Ask the person who takes your order.

No, it is not necessary.

It depends on the kind of delivery person, usually I only tip food delivery people.

Normally you do not tip UPS or FedX when they come to your door. However, if you live in an apartment where there is a Doorman, it would be customary to tip him or her if they bring up a heavy package delivered to you. And you most assuredly SHOULD plan to provide them with a token of thanks during the holiday season, and even a card with some amount for their birthday....which, you should find out when that is! You might base the yearly "thanks" on the price you pay to live there...how fancy the place is...and how many "special" favors the doorman does for you though out the year...calling cabs, helping to carry groceries or calling an assistant to help you. Depending on the price of the place anywhere from $20.00 to $200.00 would not be out of line. Food delivery people...ALWAYS...at least $5.00, more for a larger order. Other special services...laundry/dry cleaning YES, they should be tipped as well.

No, whether it be UPS or Fed Ex, they are paid well for doing their job. I do however I always tip a delivery pizza guy.

I tip food deliverie people more than I tip in a resturant 15-20% only because I think they deserve it for making the trip to my house !

I don't think it is customary to tip an American delivery person. I KNOW it's not customary in Seattle. But as to the rest of the country, I think others will need to continue chiming in.

Not necessary, but proper etiquette. Gas is 2.50 a gallon. 2.00 seems appropriate. After all, he's taking his life in his hands to make you this delivery. (armed robbery, car-jacking, etc.)

Not Necessary but usually very much appreciated and in many situations expected

Like UPS, or Fed-X?? These guys are making $20 to $35 per hour, depending on how long they are there. When I worked at UPS in the 70's everyone aspired to get to be a driver some day. This is so not appropriate to take tips. They are told it is not allowed anyway. He should not accept a tip ever. This is THE answer if these are the delivery guys u mean. Do not chance to make this guy lose his job. Now if it is the Pizza Guy, then of course, like $5.00 to $7.00 at least now adays, if he drove like more than 5 or 7 miles. About $1.00 per mile, or 25 percent of the bill, which ever is more. If he waits 10 or 15 minutes between getting a piza delivery, then it takes 20 minutes round trip, he only gets 2, or 3 pizzas per hour, so how much would you want to make using your own gas, and car? Gas is about $5.00 per hour, so you are looking at at least $10 to $15 per hour needed clear. This goes for most food deliveries, even Chinese. Catering is something else, and has other rules, maybe 10% (if dropped off), if served, and cleaned up it should be 20% to 25% depending on service, unless it was terrible, then 5 to 10% max if it was expensive.

I deliver pizza to pay for college. It isnt necessary but greatly appreciated. Lets just say Pizza delivery guys remember the houses that dont tip.

Hope not, because I don't. [But this is usually for mail. Other things we pick up ourselves.]

You dont have to but I would. They dont make much, and if you dont want them to remember your a bad tipper and spit in your food I wouldnt do it! Hehe

A delivery driver in most cases drives his own car and puts many miles a day on it. A food delivery driver actually deserves some sort of tip. I will always tip a food delivery driver a minimum of $5.00

Always! You never know, you might have his job one day.

No but food delivery men dont make much of a salary and its nice to tip them. Also, they will remember if you are a good tipper and when you reorder, they will make sure to get your food to you quickly! - This is true here in NYC! As for regular delivery, like packages, there is a large delivery service in the City and they employee "mentally chaallenged" but employable men and it makes them so happy to receive a tip and you just KNOW they can use the cash! UPS, FedEX and USPS workers who deliver packages and the mail are not expecting it and we only tip them at Christmas time unless the delivery is excessive. I know they already get a salary but it shows appreciation when you tip someone!

Not necessary but nice. You should also take into consideration the size of what they are delivering. If it is something extremely large or heavy then you should definately tip.

I do, they depend on it because they get paid as if they will be getting tips.

Of course. This person doesn't get paid any extra for driving out and giving your food to you. My parents will never write tips on the receipt so I will always write in like $4-5. Its sort of a thank you for bringing me my dinner.

Naw, but if they come back to my house again, I don't want them to mess with my pizza because I didn't tip them before. I normaly tip about 5 bucks though. Plus a lot of them are around my age, and I know what it feels like to be my age and just trying to get by lol. You can tell I am full of crap I know.

It depends, I usually tip 20%. But if the restaurant adds a delivery fee to my order I assume that goes to the driver and figure that in when figuring out my tip. So if 20% would be $5 and the fee was $1.25 I'll give them $3.75. That way they still get the $5.00 I was planning on giving them.

Food delivery, absolutely! Some food delivery people are paid LESS than the minimum hourly wage because they depend on tips. Fast food pizza shops like Domino's or Papa John's pay their drivers a nice hourly wage, plus mileage or a commission on each order delivered... but most of your independant restaurants don't do that and those delivery people are working for like 3 bucks an hour plus tips.

Not if you have sex with him.

I think it's important to tip at least several dollars. At work I used to order the food for our training classes, and tip $7 for two trips. Now, someone else is doing it and tipping 15%!! That's about $30 for us! I think that's a bit insane, as all that will go to the driver - they didn't wait on a table, they just drove the food over. Is that typical?

I just had a couch delivered to my home this afternoon. I decided to tip the men $20 since I live on the 3rd floor of my building (walk up). They were sweating and out of breath and had to do it again for the next delivery. Needless to say, when I handed him the bill, he was genuinely thankful and I felt like I had done the right thing. Yeah, we may have to pay a large delivery fee up front but I feel that good karma doesn't have a cost associated with it.

You should always tip someone that brings something to your house! I usually tip anywhere between 5 and 10 dollars (US) no matter what the amount of the order is.

As a pizza delivery driver myself, tips are all that we get, no hourly wage, no nothing. We are happy with 3-5 dollars for a regular order ($20) Just like in the bar business, we expect a tip!! Those who don't will not get the best service. Ever stiffed a bartender? then they ignored you when you tried to order another drink? Same concept! The tippers get priority, the "Stiffs" get delivered last!!! :)