3 Reasons Why you Should Tip your Delivery Driver

I am a delivery driver at Jimmy John's and yesterday I was delivering in wind. I mean STRONG wind. Like 50 mph gusts, and constant high-speed winds. I lost my hat a couple of times and even thought I was gonna be blown over a couple of times.

I made $8 in tips yesterday. Out of all of my deliveries I got 3 tips.

Before I ever thought about being a delivery driver I always tipped great. If I order pizza or Jimmy John's or go out somewhere, I usually tip $3-$5 (also depending on the total.. etc). I'm trying to wrap my head around how people can be so tight with their money (in REALLY nice neighborhoods, even) when I don't have a lot of money to throw around but I always make sure that I leave a nice tip, and if I don't have enough for a tip I'll forget about it or go to the shop and get it. You know, maybe we're delivery drivers because we could use a little extra money, maybe we have student loans we need to pay??

Anyway. Here is my list of reasons for tipping your delivery driver.

1. The Weather

If the weather is shitty and you're terrible enough to have somebody go out and deliver to you in it, you should probably tip a little better than you normally would. On Tuesday it was storming and rainy all day, and I made $30 in 3 hours, but back to yesterday, somehow the wind is better than rain?? Pft. I love the rain. It can rain all it wants. If I order food in sub-zero temperatures, I always make sure they get a good enough tip to not be mad at me, hah.

2. Delivery Time/Distance

So you want to order something for lunch and have it delivered? Let's say you're ordering Jimmy John's, it's about 12:15 PM and you're located as far away as possible from the store. Do you really expect me to be there in 10 minutes?

• It's the lunch hour! We are typically very busy and sometimes there's a wait on getting orders out depending on how many drivers there are and when they get back from the delivery they're on.
• Again, it's the lunch hour! Do you REALIZE what the traffic is like? Especially when the hour starts and is almost over.
• So, you live right on the edge of delivery range, and then you complain when we "didn't get there fast enough". I mean, yeah, we're freaky fast, but I'm not going to get a speeding ticket so you can pig out on Jimmy John's 'X' minutes sooner (I know how delicious it is, but c'mon).

3. Common Sense/Putting yourself in their Shoes

I'm sure that some people don't realize that you usually tip your delivery driver (or even your hair dresser), and that's sad. What's the difference between a waiter/waitress and a delivery driver? We both bring you your food. A little obvious, don't ya think? Also, by putting yourself in their shoes, you would realize that gas isn't cheap, it sucks delivering in shitty weather, and everybody deserves a little love (especially when you're an awesome Jimmy John's driver.)

So, the next time you order out, don't be an asshole. Make somebody's day :)