OT: update on tipping for "food to go

A month ago I started a thread concerning feeling sorta pressured to tip when picking up food to go .. at a particular local restaurant...

Update is.. I had a menu from that place.. and chose to call in the order ahead of time,, while I was shopping for groceries.. After telling what I wanted,, they asked for color of car.. which I told them.. (they have special parking area for those picking up the call in orders.) When I arrived ,, I went in, and told the hostess I was there to pick up a call in order.. I was instructed to wait in my car and someone would be there shortly.. which was true..

Gave the "person" my cash, without looking at the ticket.. she went back in and returned with my change.. I looked at the ticket after I left... I was CHARGED 18% gratuity ...!!! So.. I guess that tells us what WE should do.. I called the restaurant back,, and was told that I could have ordered, in person, at the bar, as I had done before... and would not have been CHARGED a gratuity.. it would have been MY option at that point...these options were not spelled out ahead of time of course..

Maybe someone else "local" my be able to shed light on if it is a new local custom to do this...It's D's Wings in Irmo SC

The bad part is the salad is worth what I ended up paying... but it's the principle that I have a problem with....

Salad $9.99 Forced tip $1.80 6% sales tax plus 2% prepared food tax.. $ .80 Total $12.59

I have found the boneless skinless Ma hi Ma hi (spellcheck?) at Public's for $7 for 12 oz Vacuum packed, frozen.. .. this salad contains about 8 oz.. With the various types of olives artichoke hearts, feta cheese, pickled peppers.. It would cost at least $13.00 to make this myself.. I just don't like to be Forced to tip in this case.. ..

I do understand automatic gratuity on "large" groups of people..as twenty people in a group,, everyone will buttume that someone else took care of the tip... But this is picking up a single order to GO!

I quit smoking 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago.. cold turkey.. which may be making it worse.. but I've always stood by PRINCIPLES..even if they hurt..

Chuck (in SC..)