Going on holiday? How to pause your tiffin politely and on time

A short guide for customers on telling your tiffin provider about leave, so you are not charged and they are not left with wasted food.

A holiday, a family function or a few days off sick: every tiffin customer has days when they will not be home. How you tell your provider makes a real difference to both of you. Your provider cooks for a fixed number of people, and every box that nobody needs is wasted food and wasted money.

Tell them as early as you can

The earlier they know, the less they cook and buy. As a rule of thumb, tell them as soon as your plans are fixed, and before the cut-off time your provider has set. Ask them what it is if you do not know.

Give them the exact days

A message like "I'll be away next week" leaves room for mistakes. Give:

the first day you do not need tiffin, and
the last day, or the day you want it to restart.

Say it clearly, including if you want it to restart on a specific morning.

Use the easiest method

If your provider uses MyTiffin, you can mark leave yourself:

Open the link they sent you, or log in with your phone number and password at the login page. New here? Create your login using the phone number your provider has saved.
Choose the first and last day.
Tap Mark my leave.

Your provider's box count updates automatically, and they are alerted. You can also cancel an upcoming leave from the same screen if your plans change.

What if I forgot until the last minute?

Message or call your provider as soon as you remember. Be honest. Many providers will help if they have not started cooking, but they are not required to, and they may charge for the day. Following their stated rule politely is the best way to keep a good relationship.

What about leave that has already started?

You can cancel the remaining days of a running leave yourself, starting from the earliest day your provider allows (usually tomorrow). If you need to come back today, call your provider, because they may already have cooked or planned.

Thank your provider

A short "thanks for the notice, enjoy your trip" goes a long way. Providers who feel respected are more flexible when you really need it.

If you are moving away

For a longer or permanent stop, tell your provider early and agree on a last day. Settle the final bill, and if you have time, leave them a good word. Small home kitchens depend on their reputation.

Summary

Tell your provider early.
Give the first and last day.
Use the leave screen if they have one.
Call for anything urgent or already started.
Say thank you.