Online Food Order & Delivery Etiquette: All You Need to Know

We are all aware of dining etiquette at restaurants. As you order food at a restaurant, the waiter brings you delicious meals. The waiter even helps you choose the best dishes on the restaurant’s menu. We usually thank them in return and tip them generously before leaving the place.

However, what about those individuals delivering food to your doorstep? For instance, if you order food online from a leading restaurant like Bob’s Bar, how should you behave with the delivery partner? Are there rules or etiquette practices to follow? Let us find out!

Best Online Delivery Etiquette Tips While Ordering Food

Leading online food delivery apps like Swiggy have garnered quite immense popularity lately. They serve you fresh food online when you are not able to prepare a meal for yourself or not able to head out for dinner. Shouldn’t you do something in return?

One of the basic actions you can undertake is returning the favour by paying attention to specific online delivery etiquette. Here are some to keep a note of:

1.    Keep Your Phone Handy While Ordering

Once you place your order online, there are some situations in which the delivery partner might have to reach you out. They might call you to inquire about the nearest landmark or ask you something related to the order. It is not advised to keep the delivery personnel waiting by keeping your phone out of your reach.

When you have your phone handy, it allows you to respond promptly to specific inquiries, minimizing the risks of misunderstanding or delivery delays. Moreover, real-time notifications related to your order, estimated delivery time, and the status of driver’s locations -all this information is useful for ensuring convenience.

2.    Reach the Door at the Soonest

As the delivery personnel reaches your door for food delivery, make sure you answer the door promptly. Do not keep them waiting for too long as you complete your other chores.

It is crucial to understand the importance of their time as well. Therefore, it is not good to keep them waiting for your answer. Alternatively, you can instruct the delivery partner beforehand about leaving your food order at your doorstep or with the security guard.

Leading tracking apps like Swiggy have made it simpler to monitor the progress of your order in real-time, enabling you to analyse its arrival without causing any delays. When you are prepared and prompt, you can boost your overall food ordering experience.

3.    Keep Your Pets Indoors

You love your pets -we understand that! However, it might not be the same for your delivery partner. As soon as the delivery personnel reaches your door, the staff will not expect to be welcomed by your pet who might frighten the individual away. Therefore, as the delivery partner arrives at your doorstep, try to keep your pets indoors to minimise the chaos.

By keeping your pets indoors, you end up creating a safer environment to ensure that you receive your favourite Bob’s Bar order seamlessly and conveniently.

4.    Give Proper Instructions

As you want the food order from your favourite restaurant to be perfect, it is crucial on your part to give proper instructions, especially related to food preparation and delivery. You should give a proper note explaining the specifications you need in your order, like spicier, less salty, exclusion of a particular ingredient, and so more.

At the same time, it is equally crucial to give proper delivery instructions to the staff. In some cases, it becomes difficult to spot the exact locaton through the map. If the driver calls you, make sure that you provide the right instructions to help the person out. While ordering food online, make sure that the address you provide is accurate and up-to-date.

5.    Be a Little Generous

Some signs of generosity like offering tips go a long way in either making or breaking the mood of the delivery person. Tips make up for a major part of additional salary of delivery partners. Therefore, if the person is keen on delivering your food on time and in the best possible condition, it is your duty to tip the personnel generously.

You should also consider additional factors like weather conditions, the effort required to deliver the order, and the distance travelled to decide on the tip amount. In addition to the tip, leaving a positive review or a note of thanks can encourage the delivery partner while helping them improve their overall experience.

6.    Practice Courteousness

We agree that you might be highly eager to unwrap your delicious order from a popular restaurant like Bob’s Bar and enjoy your special moments. However, some basic courtesy, like a smile while receiving the parcel or asking the delivery partner for a glass of water, can also go a long way in boosting the agent’s morale.

Be attentive to the delivery time, weather conditions, and traffic, as these factors can cause potential delays. Leaving positive feedback and showing them some courtesy can enhance the mood of the delivery personnel, who are used to working in harsh conditions.

Conclusion

There are no rules that you need to follow at all costs. However, being polite and courteous toward the online food delivery partner can help you land a happy place in the long run. As you order food online from your favourite restaurant like Bob’s Bar, make sure that you give proper instructions.