The Controversy of Tipping on Food Delivery: Insights from DoorDash Drivers

A recent incident involving a DoorDash driver who cursed at a customer for tipping $5 on a $20 order has sparked a debate about tipping culture in the US. Insider asked 10 food delivery couriers in New York City about their thoughts on tipping. The general consensus among the drivers was that a reasonable tip falls between 15% to 20% of the total bill, including taxes and fees. Some drivers mentioned that tipping should be based on the size of the order, with larger orders warranting higher tips. While DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub did not provide specific guidelines on tipping, a blog post from Grubhub in 2019 suggested a 20% tip, with the option to add more for larger orders or bad weather. Delivery drivers noted that tips have decreased during the pandemic, but even small tips are appreciated.