Too cheap to tip? Blame Obama!

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

Good establishments pay positions differently. In the places I worked that did very well... our head cooks and head bartenders were paid more per hour. Further, a sound tip pool policy was established where everyone received something. The restaurant I referred to in another post had waiters pay 4% of their sales to tip pool. With this scenario, I paid $40 on $1000 sales. These funds were then distibuted by a set formula.

Sounds as if you are capable of tipping very well when appropriate: so that removes you from the scumbag category. The scumbag category is reserved for the people that do not leave anything at any time. Now... with that said... scumbag is a little harsh. I prefer 'cheap prick'.

There are times when tipping might not be appropriate given the level of service. I tip regardless, but there have been times when I have not received very good service (10% and only 10% in these cases... 20% or more every other time). I am an extrem though: I don't expect everyone to share this same personal philosophy. I understand a waiter or waitress needs to earn the tips they receive.

The dining experience you describe leaves a lot to be desired. I'm in agreement with you regarding your sentiments. Your waitress won't last very long doing what she is doing.

One thing about the 'built-in-gratuity': it's fair if the server does their job. The tip is 'built-in' because the server sacrifices turning tables while their section- or a portion of it- becomes reserved: limiting opportunities for making any other sales and any other tips. Too often, from my memory, large parties meant separate cheques and very small tips. Enthusiasm for taking a party was very low from all servers. When I served tables, this policy was not in place; but given what I remember... I know why it was implemented.

yes, I understand why the built in gratuity is used, as you said. But if the server does the absolute bare minimum knowing they are getting their big tip anyway, well I just might have to speak to the manager about it.

the entitlement attitude that is being displayed here by many people is just part and parcel of what our society has become, and something my parents absolutely despise, and it's starting to piss me off too. Everyone wants a fucking hand out without doing anything. A tip is something to be earned, not expected. it used to be given for exceptional food and/or service, not just someone bringing you your food.

and the idea that wait staff need tips to live on so therefore I'm obligated to support them, well I'm sorry, I got by just fine on my minimum wage job living on my own with no tips and didn't expect hand outs from anyone. you choose your profession, and people choose these jobs for the tips. so with that comes the risk of not getting them. there are risks and benefits to all of life's decisions.

if you serve me a shitty sandwich with a bitchy attitude you deserve nothing but the amount that comes on my bill.

dancepartner

Hugh FD; Personally, if anyone asks once, they get nada. and when I get bad service, I make a point to hand any gratuity to the cooks or bartenders. She gives a bad rep to all servers.

Hedonist; I'm with you. I find myself fumbling at times, wondering if I'm supposed to tip for this service or that one -- especially in other countries. I don't want to come off as another American jerk so I usually tip on the generous side and at times of doubt as well. Also, i need to do a bit of research as it's been told to me that some countries find tipping offensive. Really?

catefrances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

yes, I understand why the built in gratuity is used, as you said. But if the server does the absolute bare minimum knowing they are getting their big tip anyway, well I just might have to speak to the manager about it.

the entitlement attitude that is being displayed here by many people is just part and parcel of what our society has become, and something my parents absolutely despise, and it's starting to piss me off too. Everyone wants a fucking hand out without doing anything. A tip is something to be earned, not expected. it used to be given for exceptional food and/or service, not just someone bringing you your food.

and the idea that wait staff need tips to live on so therefore I'm obligated to support them, well I'm sorry, I got by just fine on my minimum wage job living on my own with no tips and didn't expect hand outs from anyone. you choose your profession, and people choose these jobs for the tips. so with that comes the risk of not getting them. there are risks and benefits to all of life's decisions.

if you serve me a shitty sandwich with a bitchy attitude you deserve nothing but the amount that comes on my bill.

Hugh, it's not fair to paint all servers with the 'entitlement' brush. Shitty servers have been the minority in my experience. Most are very friendly and work very hard to meet our needs while dining. It's a custom to tip and built into the profession. People wouldn't serve if tips weren't a part of the job. The ones that would... you wouldn't want serving you. If a server is terrible... I can understand why someone wouldn't leave a tip. If the server is honest with themselves, they should understand why things went the way they did.

Why has this even become a point of contention though? This is teeny weeny small money compared to some of the other professions that truly feel a sense of entitlement- and stick it to you big time.

You want to know what bugs me? What is with a real estate commission? You want to talk easy money? Holy shit, man. You de-clutter your house, remodel, paint, and shine the place like no other. They get some dude to put a sign up, get a photographer to take pictures, and then show your house to people that phone and ask them to see the place. People have to buy a house so there is a sale in there somewhere. Once that sale is made... a secretary back at the office photocopies documents, people sit and sign, the realtor directs to a notary and bam. Big cash.

Don't get me started with lawyers.

Waiters and waitresses? Let's direct our frustrations where they truly belong.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

catefrances wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

10 Clubbers.

Push Me playing Mr. Pink!

catefrances

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

catefrances wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

10 Clubbers.

Push Me playing Mr. Pink!

more a QT fan than a 10 clubber.

chadwick

hedonist wrote:

Not badass, just taking advantage of where we are!

This city girl started using the service when our local grocery stores were on strike a few years ago. Now with my back shit, the four buck delivery fee and tips to the nice men and women who haul up bags of cat litter and bottles of water and other heavy items...totally worth it, and I am thankful for it.

HFD, agreed that was fucked up. A tip is a gratuity.

frickin way badass & smart too. $4 buck delivery fee plus your tip. you probably would use that up in gas pretty much to & from the store. will they bring liquor & smokes? zig zags?

request a cinder blocks from them and they will remove them from their wall?

i am going to see about this delivery groceries business. i do know they have a pharmacy here that delivers your drugs to you. all delivery cars are volkswagon beatles painted up like ladybugs...

hedonist

chadwick wrote:

frickin way badass & smart too. $4 buck delivery fee plus your tip. you probably would use that up in gas pretty much to & from the store. will they bring liquor & smokes? zig zags?

request a cinder blocks from them and they will remove them from their wall?

i am going to see about this delivery groceries business. i do know they have a pharmacy here that delivers your drugs to you. all delivery cars are volkswagon beatles painted up like ladybugs...

Yessiree - liquor, smokes AND rolling papers...all within 30 minutes, no less :P

I think it's a great idea, actually - to start up a similar company or work for one. Those kids (I use the term loosely) earn every penny they make!