I am a student here in Carbondale that provides the students and residents of this city with a service. I am a delivery driver for one of the more reputable restaurants in the area. First, I would like to thank all those who tip their delivery drivers on a regular basis. Which brings me to my question. Why wouldn’t somebody tip a delivery driver?

I am sure we can come to a practical solution for us all. For those of you who have had a rude delivery driver in the past, I apologize, but why punish all of us because of that one person? Remember that person and don’t tip them next time. For those who say they don’t have enough money, all I can say is just be honest with us. I can’t tell you how many times I have revisited the same house or dorm several days in a row and heard the same response, I’ll get you next time.

For those of you who just don’t believe in tipping your driver let me tell you a little about what I do for you. I drive around Carbondale and put over 300 miles on my car a week. I work unusual hours so that you can stay home and have your favorite local food delivered to you almost all night. We are just trying to make a living here. I can’t speak for all the restaurants in the area, but where I work, the drivers don’t get the delivery charge. Every time my friends and I ordered last year, we would always collect money to tip the driver at least 15 percent. None of us had a lot of money, but we made sure that if we ordered out, we tipped the driver. Call it common courtesy. We make our living from you. I would like to make one request.

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Next time you get food delivered, ask yourself the following questions. Was the food delivered around the time promised? Has the driver been courteous? If yes, then please tip your delivery driver. We thank you.