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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
 Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:01:12
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Tipping: Thoughts?
I tip servers in restaurants. I don't have a set amount or percentage, but I usually leave aprox. 15 or so percent. In bars I'll tip the waitress something reasonable per drink, and I'll tip the bartender as well. I tip my hairdresser (usually 3 dollars). So let's have a 'Resevoir Dogs' style tipping discussion here. What do you think about tipping? Too much? Not enough? Who should you tip?
I remember one time at a Planet Hollywood in New York (I know, I know, it wasn't my choice), we were unware that a 15% gratuity was part of the bill. We left a tip that was a little shy of that, and so we basically underpaid. The waiter was very patient and very nice, but tried to explain that we didn't pay enough. We were perplexed: we had left a tip! How could we have not put enough money down? Finally, we figured out that the tip was part of the bill, and if we really wanted to reward good service, we'd have to tip on top of that. I think this is taking it too far. Okay, I'm done talking. Fire away. |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:15:27
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I had an experience with tipping today that I wondered about.
I tip 20% if the waitress is good. If they are really exceptional and friendly they may get a little more. If the waitress is just average they'll get 15%, and if they suck so bad, I'm sorry, I have to give just shy of 15%.
Anyway, this has been bothering me today. After classes today I went to this informal italian restaurant and got a ceasar salad TO GO. The total after tax was $6.41. My question is, do you guys tip when you get to go orders? I didn't tip today, and afterwards I felt kind of bad for some reason. I can sort of justify it for these reasons:
-The lady that took my order was only helping me for 60 seconds
-She also had tables but it was not crowded and I wasn't keeping her from her other tables.
-She took my order and took my money (credit card) but that was it. Some other lady gave me the salad.
But then afterwards I felt cheap for not even tipping a dollar because that would have been 15%. What do you guys do with take-out orders?
 "Join the Cult of Mr. Potato Head / And You'll Have Buckets of Fun" |
Edited by - ProverbialCereal on 12/05/2003 12:17:47 |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:17:25
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| I don't tip on take out orders, that's ridiculous. She took your order and took your money. You don't tip at McDonald's do you? (To steal a point from Mr. Pink). |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:17:47
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| Having been a waitress and worked in the restaurant business quite a bit, I have a lot of sympathy for most servers. I usually tip 20% (which is the unspoken expected gratuity) or much more, if they were remarkably friendly or helpful. The pay rate that servers get is horrendous, and generally, they have to share that tip at the end of the night with bussers and host staff (depending on the establishment). It is impossible to make a living as a server without tips - when I waited, the fed. minimum for waitstaff was $2.10 an hour. They expect you to get 20% tips, and they take it out of your paycheck in income taxes every month. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:20:05
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| Tipping on carryout is not expected, AFAIK, but if the situation is such that the server warrants a tip, then by all means! ;) |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:21:40
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No, you don't tip at McDonalds, but all orders there are essentially "to go." Ronald McDonald doesn't come to your table to ask if you want another round of fatty patties. I guess I question tipping on to go orders when the person that helps you is a person relying on tips (as opposed to fast food where they are already making a whopping 5.50 an hour)
"Join the Cult of Mr. Potato Head / And You'll Have Buckets of Fun" |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:21:51
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| "as far as I know". You're such a wiener apl..... Uh, "simly face". |
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your mamas a pretty thing
- FB Fan -
Canada
66 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:22:20
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what? That's crazy. I never tip on take out orders, and I feel no remorse. mouahahaha!
Show Me Your Tears In The Sand |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:23:49
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I know I'm pathetic, but if the waitress (not waiter) that helps me is cute, I'll usually tip on to go orders. I think I've only tipped on 2 or 3 to go orders in my life. And the strange thing was, the girl that helped me today was pretty cute but I didn't tip.
"Join the Cult of Mr. Potato Head / And You'll Have Buckets of Fun" |
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your mamas a pretty thing
- FB Fan -
Canada
66 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:24:51
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well, yeah...If she's good lookin'.....
Show Me Your Tears In The Sand |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:25:05
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Hmm, is that a subtle form of prostitution when I tip because of a girl's attractiveness?
"Join the Cult of Mr. Potato Head / And You'll Have Buckets of Fun" |
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your mamas a pretty thing
- FB Fan -
Canada
66 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:26:30
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depends on the 'service' you receive
Show Me Your Tears In The Sand |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:27:07
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You should go eat a subway sandwich, Cereal, and then you won't have to "feel bad about it". ;)
I hate those commercials, *by the way.
*That one's for you speedy! ;) wink wink |
Edited by - apl4eris on 12/05/2003 12:27:33 |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:32:00
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yo mamma.... good point. And funny.
And yes, everyone hates "Jared". He probably has aides, *btw. (Ah, South Park...).
*I enjoy using asterisks for footnotable purposes. |
Edited by - speedy_m on 12/05/2003 12:37:10 |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:35:05
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I would never tip on take out. Would you tip at place where you order at the counter and then they bring the food to the table? I usually don't.
While living in Santa Barbara I usually tipped around 20%. The price of living was so high I thought it was necessary. Now that I'm living in a cheaper area it is back down around 15 or 17%. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:48:28
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I heard a rumor that Jared had his stomach stapled (and that's the real reason he lost all the weight) - is this true?
I don't think I've ever tipped on takeout. Except when you have to pick up those stupidly huge office call-ahead orders, and the whole thing has put the entire place into a frenzy and pissed off all the customers in line who are having to wait for 15 coffees to be put into carry trays and 15 different orders of custom sandwiches and sides and whatever else...I don't miss those errands at all. |
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ObfuscateByWill
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1887 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 15:03:00
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15% normally.
Poor service will net them about $2
In buffet places I'll give the waitress about $3
*Shka-pow! |
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Visiting Sasquatch
= Cult of Ray =
USA
451 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 15:07:30
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| 20% for everything, good or bad. |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 20:57:34
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I always make sure to tip well...usually around 20%. People who don't tip are assholes and deserve to be beaten.
 "I joined the Cult of Clops / If I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open." |
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TOTIPOTENT
- Master of Differentiation -
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 21:15:30
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I usually multiply the tax times 2 then round to the nearest total dollar. Where I live, tax is 7-8%. So I guess I mostly tip ~15%, but if I just do not like somebody I'll give them $0.00-$1.00 to make a point. I do not feel obligated to tip. I am sure, on the whole, that sex does matter. The waitress can be just normal and I may add a dollar or two to the norm. I am so sexist... I think that it is just a part of human nature - just ask Madonna.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / 'Cause those damn search engines didn't do my site justice" |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 23:25:51
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| Tip the musicians who you download music from...that's what i'd like to see.. |
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TOTIPOTENT
- Master of Differentiation -
USA
247 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 23:44:09
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Whaa? Mhaaa? I do not download music. I do stream though. What do you all think about the standard $0.99 per download? I am happy that NAPSTER is back even though I have never downloaded it or ever will. More power to napster!
"I joined the Cult of Frank / 'Cause those damn search engines didn't do my site justice" |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2003 : 13:30:13
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Well, considering that even less of the $$ goes to the musician (from the sources i've read) i can't give it much credit....a step in the right direction otherwise.
Nice sig tho...heh.. |
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TRANSMARINE
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
2002 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 17:39:28
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Okay, here's my view on tipping. And, yes, I have been both a waiter and bartender.
As time progresses, I am finding that tipping is becoming rediculous. Some places actually add up to 20% gratuity to the check. To me, this is basically stealing. Who, other than me, should decide what to tip? Now that the good old US government regulates and profits from tipping, I find myself a bit more bitter.
Gratuity should NEVER be demanded by a restauraunt...however it should be expected.
Furthermore, did you all know what TIPS stands for? In the old days, TIPS stood for To Insure Prompt Service. You went to a restaurant, and even BEFORE the meal, you laid down a certain amount of money as an incentive for your server to give their best service. As they proved themselves througout your dining experince, you added more $ to their tip. If they were not the greatest of servers, you subtracted $. Fair and simple...clean and precise. This is how it should be again.
I understand the importance of tips to a server. Believe me. But the importance of a server to me is nill unless they prove their merits. I will not tip unless they are stellar. And even then, %15 is all you get baby. Call me a cheap bastard. I hate being told what to do when it comes to money. Especially when it's mine.
To Insure Prompt Service. Beforehand.
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 18:05:13
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Transmarine, I'm curious (if I may ask), how much did you make per hour as a waiter before tips? When I was a waitress, it was across the board $2.10/hr in the industry, at least in my state (I don't know if it was a federal minimum or a state regulated wage), and most establishments made it mandatory for the wait staff to give a percentage of their tips to bussers and host staff. It really sucked, and I may be basing my generous tipping behavior on an outdated impression, although I'm sure the minimum wage for that job has increased since then. Also, the fact that the fed. takes an income tax based on tip earnings makes it hard for a server if they don't get the minimum 15-20% gratuity. If anybody else is or has been in the industry and can speak to this as well, I'd appreciate it.
 Join the Cult of Carl / Lisening him do bass for our power ballad 'Hypocrite of the Heart' is like lisening to angels play bass. |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 18:39:05
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Wow - now that i think about it, this is pure bullshit.
They're charging 20% extra, to make you pay for their employee. And you're not assured of exceptional service.
I think i'll not visit any more places that demand the gratuity. Especially since that's the complete opposit of the term:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?gratuity |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 19:13:27
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I've never been to any places that charge you 20% no matter what. Alot of times restaurants will automatically add 15% gratuity on parties of 6 or more though. I hope I never am at a restaurant that puts 20% tip on regardless. Cuz if a server is crappy I will tip exactly 15%, maybe less if they really ignore me and my food (even if the waitress is hot).
 "Join the Cult of Gunn / And you'll get an eighties Monster Ballad CD just for joining" |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 20:06:56
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A server has to be pretty bad for me to tip her poorly, because I don't like to be coddled by servers. (Alot of people expect that, but I guess working for so long in a restaurant has changed my opinion about it...) At the same time, sometimes there are servers who totally ignore you, and who don't refill your drink or take forever to ask if you're ready for the check. So you sit and you sit and you sit...I have never said anything to a server, even if she is doing a bad job, but I have on occasion known to tip only a dollar and a half or two dollars if the service is REALLY shitty.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
Carl Sagan
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 20:21:34
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BTW, a "required" gratuity is bullshit, it's just some PR for an additional charge. It really would be more like a commission for the server, if there was no choice for the patron to tip or not.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.
Carl Sagan
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pinkashtray
- FB Fan -
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 00:43:33
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always..i mean ALWAYS tip at starbucks..im not just saying that because i work there and i need gas money..but because some starbuckers are doing some fucked up shit, for example..if yr an asshole or have a big order and you don't tip.
so either be nice and don't forget to tip if you have a big order.
i got a broken face |
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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3426 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 04:53:54
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This entire thread seems North American only.
now, personally, i dislike tipping immensely....
many places near where i live in London include either a 10% or 15% service charge on all menu items....which isn't generally a problem.
others that don't i give 10% if i feel like it.
but i certainly won't tip if i don't think they deserve it, although this doesn't happen very often.....and as the other person said, when it is included on the bill, you never have the choice, which i think stinks.
but i really think the entire tipping phenomenon is bizarre.
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bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
871 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 05:06:51
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quote:
Originally posted by El Barto
I always make sure to tip well...usually around 20%. People who don't tip are assholes and deserve to be beaten.
"I joined the Cult of Clops / If I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open."
El Barto, you've probably just condemned about 50% of the population of the UK! Tipping here is nothing like that in North America.
 "I have been enslaved by the Cult of Ming / He is ever so merciless...unlike that nice Mr Black." |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 07:16:59
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quote:
Originally posted by benji
but i really think the entire tipping phenomenon is bizarre.
I agree, it is unfair to pay servers such a low wage and expect them to make the difference off of the customers' good graces (supposedly if the server does a good job, they will get 15-20% more). It is wholly unfair to both the server and the customer. It's amazing, here in the states, the kind of relationship that occurs in the food service industry. More often than not, customers expect perfection in their dining experience when they don't always expect it in other areas of life.
Is there any other industry where it is expected right off the bat that the workers will suck unless you withold their full pay (~$2.15 per hour was minimum wage for servers in 1994) until they've proven themselves to a customer, and then the customer has to pay the remaining? In my experience, servers frequently receive unfair treatment/abuse from customers, who expect to be treated like they are the only table in the house, and the majority of customers do not tip the IRS expected 15 or 20%, if at all.
The same treatment would seem draconian in other industries. Imagine being a corporate worker, and you have to complete a full day of "productive" work, with an unlimited number of bosses watching your every move and complaining about many things which may be out of your personal realm of control, and holding you to arbitrary standards of service. Then at the end of the day, you may or may not get your full pay (and based on what I've seen with many servers, you will probably never get your full pay), based on the arbitrary judgement of people you will probably never see again, and who have no contractual loyalty to you whatsoever.
I know that in Europe, and elsewhere, tipping has totally different etiquette. In many places, it is even considered rude. My guess is that in many other countries, servers are not paid a a significantly lower (unlivable) wage like here in the US. Does anybody know?
Join the Cult of Carl / Lisening him do bass for our power ballad 'Hypocrite of the Heart' is like lisening to angels play bass. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 12/08/2003 07:22:07 |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 07:51:18
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I start out every meal at 20% and it goes either direction from there. Maybe 1 out of 20-30 times does it get to 10%. Things have to be pretty bad. I probably avg about 20-22% on my tips.
I tip on takeout if it is a restaurant that I use frequently and want good service. The Chinese place by my house recognizes my wifes voice and has our 'special orders' memorized. That is worth a tip. The other thing that drives that decision for me is if it is a family business. For some reason that gets a tip from me.
Also, transmarine, the govt profits off of tips the same way it profits off of everyone elses salary or wages. Why should servers wages be tax free and everyone else have to foot the bill? |
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bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
871 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 08:16:51
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Well, I'm a Brit and I've waited tables in the US so I suppose I've got a more informed standpoint. I actually thought that the compounded hourly rate (ie salary + tips) was pretty good. I worked during the summers of 1987 and 1988 and the hourly rate then couldn't have been more than about $2. But this was more than compensated by the tips. I think my best day's tipping income was about $150 which to a 20 year old student was big money! Where I worked it was customary for the waiter's to tip the bar staff (although not all did this). I had no problem with this as the barman/woman would often prepare the drinks for my customers first and sometimes deliver them to the tables.
I guess I was lucky in that I had a British accent which most customers found to be intriguing and I reckon this helped the value of my tips. Also the restaurant was in Santa Barbara, not known for being the poorest city in the US!
I am anti automatic service charge and get quite irritated when I see it stated on a menu. I would actually leave no tip at all if the service was poor but thankfully that doesn't happen very often. The maximum that I would ever tip would be 15% and probably average at about 12%. You North Americans would be amazed at how many Brits would enjoy a meal costing say $100 and would leave nothing at all. When I worked in SB it was interesting to watch where the British families/groups would be sat. None of the waiters/waitresses really wanted them on their station because the chances are you would give great service only to receive a derisory tip at the end.
"I have been enslaved by the Cult of Ming / He is ever so merciless...unlike that nice Mr Black." |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 11:21:21
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On the other hand - people in every other industry are expected to 'do their best' at all times, not when 'special' clients are around...so this is pretty fucked-up as well.
In Canada, servers get minimum wage like everyone else, so they're still making the same as anyone else..relatively speaking. I think dropping a servers wage is despicable. |
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