You may also be interested in:

What is your opinion of the takeout tipping dilemma?

What about tipping when you buy takeout from a proper restaurant and take it home to eat?

Here in Newport we have so many fantastic restaurants that we get spoiled off season.

During the Memorial Day Weekend, it seemed simpler to look at the menus and order online and then pick up the food and eat at home.

• No lines, no reservations, no long waiting between courses.

What I don’t understand is the tipping. Paying the requisite 20% for service doesn’t seem necessary. On the other hand, I don’t want to stiff the summer college workers and the year round waitstaff.

What percentage of the bill do I pay for the takeout tip?

–LB, Newport, RI

The same takeout tipping dilemma came to me Monday night of Memorial Day Weekend. We ordered from Pasta Beach — our favorite take out — which we do summer, winter, spring and fall for special occasions.

Instead of paying 20%, for a $50. take out, I put five dollars on the tip line of the credit card receipt.

I agree, 20% is too much, but if you’re asking the waiter for extra this and a little more of that and not too many onions in the salad, you’re demanding more personal attention, which deserves a little something extra.

Actually, I would like to know what you think about this answer, because takeout is unchartered territory.

~Didi