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Tipping, as a societal construct designed to reward good performance independent of actual salary, can lead to situations in which everyone feels terrible. How much should you tip for standard service? Do you owe every person who helps you out a tip? What if the service is subpar? No one wants a reputation as a bad tipper, which is why we don't envy the position Drew Brees is in right now. A leaked receipt showing Brees gave a $3 tip on a $74 order has put Brees in an awkward position, although the fact that it was a takeout order has muddied things a bit. Was Brees being stingy, or should we be marveling at the fact that he tips on takeout in the first place?

• Ashley Huckaby Roberts: "I'm a pizza delivery guy...and no matter how much it is you should tip or how far it is we still have to drive there and back gas is to much....but take out no way they are lucky they got $3."
• Jason Patterson: "I tip at all times take out or not, unless the service is bad."
• Jeremy Shannon: "T-I-P-S... To Insure Prompt Service! Someone answered your phone call, took your order, sent that order to the kitchen, and made sure it was ready for you upon your arrival. $3 on $74 does not say thank you. It says I'm kind of selfish."
• David Gross: "Take out means he picked it up from the restaurant. Sometimes I tip and sometime no tip, depends on when it is ready."
• Cody Cavesina: "You should tip everyone who works for tips... anytime you use their service, regardless of your personal feelings on the experience. Sure there are extreme cases where no tip may be warranted, but that's not what I'm talking about. Not tipping or deducting cause you didn't get your water right when you wanted it is poor form. No one docks your pay when you have a bad day at work."
• Aj Northup: "I hate getting handed a slip to sign when picking up Take Out. You drive down to pick up a pizza and are expected to hand over another $5-8 for the privelage of them handing it over the counter to you? Makes no sense."

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Drew Brees sought and received permission from the NFL to have Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and Joe Vitt attend Sunday night's game at the Superdome, where Brees can break Johnny Unitas' record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Should Payton be allowed to show up as a spectator during his suspension?

• redwardj27: "None of the suspended coaches should be allowed within 1000 feet of any NFL event. If you are going to punish some one there shouldn't be special privileges."
• jmcfree: "It's not quite the same, but it's like letting Pete Rose attend certain MLB functions. Suspended is suspended."
• Korey Buckets: "When will the Commisoners of the professional sports world learn to stop making these emotional decsions that are based on public opinion and setting precedence! If they would take the time to think about these situations and pull back a lot they could make more sound decisions. Like really a coach cant attend a game thats a big excessive in the first place."
• NbaNflBoxingLover: "This just shows us that Goodell knows he messed up and this is just his way of making up to the Saints. Just about every player has mentioned (one way or another) that this happens in every franchise."
• benjies77: "The first classy thing the NFL has done in 3 months of flubs, back-peddling, and blunders."

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On Monday, "First Take" debated how well the Saints will perform without Sean Payton. Payton's absence will no doubt be noticeable this season, although the Saints have talent to spare and one of the finest quarterbacks in the league. Rob Parker sees them missing the playoffs, while Skip Bayless has them in the postseason at 13-3. What's your take?

On Tuesday, "First Take" debated Drew Brees' comments that nobody in the NFL trusts Roger Goodell. Brees has good reason to be skeptical of the commissioner, as the Saints have been heavily penalized as a result of the bounty scandal, but his comments were related to other aspects of Goodell's stewardship as well. Stephen A. Smith thinks Brees was less than wise in making these comments, while Skip Bayless is on the Saints' side in this whole thing. What's your take?

Drew Brees agreed to a record contract with the Saints. Did New Orleans just guarantee another Super Bowl win?

• reavesuppercut: "40 million in 2012? Makes sense. Might as well just pay the man this year while the team is serving their punishment. once everyone is back they can put it behind them and focus on building a team that can contend and Brees will already have a large chunk of his contract."
• aceinthecorner: "'Way too much money for a single player, but they had no choice - about time."
• TomCableIsTheMan: "This works out great for both sides. Drew Brees gets paid (as he should), but the contract is front loaded, giving the saints some cap space when they will really need it in a few years. Brilliant move by New Orleans and congratulations to Drew Brees."
• TyWebb: "This deal reeks of desperation. Good job Saints, you're paying a guy $40 million in ONE YEAR that you're almost guaranteed not to win."
• kcroyal2011: "Way too much to spend on one player for a team that has no chance to win. I suppose they were backed into a corner and had no choice but I would have said NO and either traded him or franchised him, great guy or not , its a business"



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Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are still struggling to agree on a long-term contract, leaving Brees with plans to sit out training camp, according to league and team sources. With only $1.25 million separating the two parties, are the Saints being cheap or is Brees being greedy? Cast your vote and join the discussion.

• by00h566: "I usually hate when guys hold out like this, but I remember what happened to him in SD after getting franchise tagged so I really don't blame him."
• ---GoGiantsYankesKnicksRangers---: "Brees is greedy. He's not worth more than Peyton, Rodgers, Eli or Brady. He does not have the ring total of Brady and Eli, not as legendary/good as Peyton, and not as talented as Rodgers imo."
• joedirtemix: "The Saints Front office may have out-smarted themselves. Remember this is the guy that brought your team a Super Bowl. But you wanna mess around and not sign him but your too busy trying to fight suspensions from bountygate. The Saints are gonna be sorry for not having their priorities in the right place. Without Brees your team would be a 4 win team."
• bennyhinn21: "The Saints took a chance on Brees when nobody else wanted him. He's a bum for turning down this offer."
• tom_tom21: "Really only $1.25 mil to keep one of the top 3 QB's in the game. We're talking about a guy who has a Super Bowl MVP and the record for most yards in a season. Not only that but this is the same guy who brought the Saints to life. they have missed the playoffs, i think once since he has been there. And you can't even give him an extra $1.25 REALLY?"
• davidjerome3: "When does it end? In two years another QB will have a good year and DEMAND to be the highest paid. Then another will have a good year and DEMAND to be the highest paid. No end in sight. Sad for the fans."
• bob-edwards: "Cheap owners and greedy players, that's the NFL."



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Drew Brees still has not signed a long-term extension with the Saints and has called his contract talks "extremely frustrating." Who do you blame for the delay?

• coolhandlukeri: "yea, I feel terrible for you Drew. You're only going to make 23 million this season while being franchised. What a horrible future. Maybe we should take up a collection in case you starve."
• markcornell53: "The negotiations should be as follows: Drew, we'll give you whatever you want."
• Harbaughsome: "I wouldn't be surprised if a sign and trade happens. The dysfunction in the Saints org is obvious to everybody else in the league. Things can only look worse from the inside."
• forgetmenot438: "Saints should release him. If he can get the money elsewhere they should respect him enough to let him go. If he cant get the money and still goes somewhere else he didnt want to be there at all. Locking him up and insulting him isnt doing any good."
• apex.late: "The Saints have been masterful in keeping Brees on the cheap. Even if they have to pay the franchise tag this year and he leaves, they have still got his best years far below market value. They have no choice in giving the guy a long term contract though, he is keeping the team relevant and I don't see that changing any time soon."
• jpfense: "The Saints are waiting for the Vilma/Smith suspensions to be finalized so they can give him the money he wants."



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