Ordering Food In Bad Weather? Read This First!

You’re stuck at home, the rain and floods outside are relentless, and your food app is one tap from feeding that craving. But there’s a real-world dilemma here—your rider has to navigate slick roads and flash floods to deliver it. So when is it okay to order, and what’s actually respectful and safe? Here’s your no-drama guide.

This rider left his bike and waded through floods to deliver a meal | Photo: Sole Eater on Facebook

Is it okay to order in bad weather?

The short answer is: yes, it can be okay — but it depends. Riders are not forced to work during extreme weather. In most cases, delivery platforms allow them to choose whether or not to go online. This means that if a rider accepts your order, it’s likely they are willing to take the risk — often because they need the income.

However, that doesn’t mean consumers are off the hook. Ethical consumption means being aware that every tap comes with consequences, especially when someone else is braving dangerous conditions to fulfill it. If you’re going to order food in bad weather, here’s what you need to know to do it responsibly.

1. Be patient, and expect delays

Traffic in Metro Manila is bad enough — add flooded streets, stalled vehicles, and poor visibility, and you’re looking at even longer delivery times. Some roads may be impassable. Riders may have to reroute, take shelter, or stop entirely if conditions worsen mid-delivery.

Don’t hover over the tracker. Instead of repeatedly messaging your rider, wait patiently and understand they’re likely doing their best to get to you safely.

2. Don't complain if your order is canceled

Your order might get accepted, then canceled — or marked as delivered when it hasn’t arrived. That’s not always scamming; sometimes riders are forced to abort the trip for their own safety. Other times, it could be a system glitch, or the merchant themselves may be unable to prepare food due to outages or staff limitations.

Don't jump to conclusions. Contact customer service calmly to resolve the issue — and if you're refunded, consider that the rider or small restaurant may have still lost time and money.

3. Tip generously (it’s non-negotiable)

If you can afford to order delivery during heavy rains, you can afford to tip. Period.

On Reddit and Quora, Filipino riders often say that even a P50 or P100 tip during bad weather makes a huge difference. It shows appreciation for the risk, effort, and time it took to get your food to you warm and dry.

Use the in-app tipping feature if possible, or hand cash directly to your rider.

Rider safety and well-being deserve care, too—especially in bad weather | Photo: Photo by Kseniia Ilinykh on Unsplash

4. Don’t order from far-away locations

The farther the restaurant, the longer the ride — and the more chances your delivery could be affected by bad road conditions.

Choose restaurants close to your area. Most food apps let you filter by distance or delivery time — use that to minimize risks for your rider.

5. Think twice before reporting

Riders can be penalized if you file complaints, even if the issue was caused by something out of their control (like weather delays, soggy food, or route closures).

Instead of blaming riders, reach out to the delivery platform’s help center and explain the context. Many apps will still issue a refund or voucher — without jeopardizing the livelihood of the person who delivered your food.

6. Be kind—even if things go wrong

If your food arrives late, cold, or with missing items, take a moment before you lash out. These are humans, not just icons on a screen — and during bad weather, their job becomes even more difficult.

One viral tweet put it simply: “If you’re warm, dry, and fed, you already won.” A little empathy goes a long way.

The bottom line

Ordering food delivery during bad weather is not inherently wrong — but it is a moral and practical decision. Always consider if your craving justifies the risk someone else has to take. And if you do hit that checkout button? Be kind. Be generous. Be human.