Good Question: Supreme Court Justices, Footprints, Tipping

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Nancy from Coon Rapids wants to know: What kind of protection do Supreme Court justices get?

It depends on where they are. According to CBS News, when the justices are at the Supreme Court, it's the Supreme Court police. But, when they're out on official business, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) gives the security detail.

Unlike the president with the Secret Service, justices can decline the protection and often do on personal business.

According to a statement from the USMS following Justice Scalia's death, "In this instance, the USMS detail was declined for the personal trip to the hunting resort in Texas, so USMS personnel were not present at the ranch. Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Western District of Texas responded immediately upon notification of Justice Scalia's passing."

Trish from Rockford asks: Why are babies foot printed at birth?

According to Kathy Schoenbeck, director of the Mother Baby Center at United and Children's in St. Paul, the footprints at all Allina hospitals are used solely as mementoes for parents.

At HCMC, the foot prints are also taken for mementoes, but were also used as a security measure and way to identify the baby. Now, HCMC uses a system of bracelets for the mothers and child.

"It started a long time ago when mothers were routinely separated from babies," said Sara Wendt with HCMC. "Now, it's become more of a tradition."

And Eric from St. Paul has a doozy: Should you tip for carry-out?

If the comments on Facebook are any indicator, there's plenty of debate on this one. Some people wrote they never tip on take-out because they're not getting served. Others give a few dollars and some tip between 10 and 15 percent.

According to John Barret, Chief Operating Officer at Davanni's, "Davanni's doesn't encourage tipping on eat-in or take-out orders. A pre-tip authorization line is available for our on-line order customers that wish to pre-pay via credit/debit card, but the vast majority of our on-line orders are for delivery, where tipping is customary."

At Blue Plate restaurants, 60 to 70 percent of take-out customers generally tip.

"Tipping is always optional and never supposed to be expected, but it's always appreciated," said Stephanie Shimp, co-owner of Blue Plate Restaurant Company.

Shimp and other restaurant workers point out the work that goes into a take-out order.

Jill Nitke-Scott wrote on Facebook, "I work in the industry and when you do a take out, it's not just answering the phone. We get everything prepared short of cooking the food. For me, chips, salsa, queso, sour cream, utensils. It takes us away from the customers in the restaurant so yes, please tip."

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