VD still sucks

[vicarz]

A friend of mine was telling me about a guy that ate in their restaurant on VD. He had loaded the girl down with what she guessed to be $100 worth of flowers, and then spent $45 on diner. That's not like uber bucks, but then he tipped the waitress $2, on his credit card. The service is not reported to have sucked.

A reminder, that I know for a fact no one that reads this will need, but perhaps something to pass on to any people you might know that suck.
IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO TIP, DON'T EAT OUT.
Waiters/tresses make no money. No one likes waiting tables - it's the most abusive work in the world. It's what you do because something went wrong, while you work for something better (many waiters are young and/or in school/college), because you didn't finish that degree, or he left you with two kids. More importantly, you rely on tips for income. If there is anyone that deserves your money, it's a waiter/waitress.

Some people whine about their shitty service. Most of the stuff the bitch about is not the employee's fault, it's the kitchen, the hostess slamming them, or just unexpectedly high turnout that the entire restaurant can't handle. On top of that, wait-staff are human, having shitty days and making mistakes. Big fucking deal - they can redo that order, get another drink, and all you have to do is sit there. It's not an excuse to leave no tip, insulting change, or less than 10%.

Restaurants blow like that in this country (other countries pay their employees hence less tipping). The restaurant has the customer directly responsible for the employee's pay, and they get to avoid compensating their employees. Ultimately the wait-staff should just get paid for their time, but at the least you can play your part in the economic rape by kicking down that 20%. You could have just stayed home where food does not cost $4-30 a plate.

Comments

[joanarkham.livejournal.com]

Tacky. I used to hate going out to eat with my cow-orkers for that very reason. No one is cheaper than engineers.

I have actually sneaked back and put a couple more bucks on the table.

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[vicar.livejournal.com]

I much prefer yelling at them right then and there. They have to learn - a lot of the problem is just plain ignorance of the issue (I hope).

[grymnir.livejournal.com]

my $.02 - some who work as wait staff (and service staff in general) are NOT doing it because something went wrong. No, the job still sucks and few would choose to do it, but I know more than a few who ARE working as servers, barbacks and bartenders because it is the only job our society allows for those who are going to school (say for graduate and post-graduate studies) or who are trying to retrain themselves for a new career.

I don't see that as "gone wrong" - though I am one of those who is retraining...and considering working as a server to finance things for now.

I leave 20% as standard BUT - there are the cases where the tip is minimal to make a point:
- when the server is busier chatting up the table of coeds than bringing your first drink,
- when the server is more engaged in the game (or debate) on the TV,
- when the server slops something on you, gets the order wrong, etc - AND fails to attempt redress.

Also - for the record - not all other countries pay their serving staff well - so tips are not a bad idea then either, but there are cultural differences to be wary of I admit.

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[vicar.livejournal.com]

Crap - I meant to say while in school. I waited tables while in school as well - going to edit.

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[lilkender.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with tipping 20% unless the server really did something wrong and didn't correct it.
I tip in other countries too. Why not? I'm used to paying that extra expense, and then we can promote the image of the Nice American.

[sunnyfunny.livejournal.com]

"IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO TIP, DON'T EAT OUT.

NO FUCKING SHIT!!!!

2.13 an hour... I hear that it's supposed to have gone up a whole 2 cents but our establishment seems to be lagging. 2.13 combined with the fact that there are no benefits whatsoever.

I honestly think that if we can't have an ideal upbringing as children, that at the very least, everyone should be subjected to waiting tables for at least 1 year. Then perhaps people would be more sympathetic/empathetic and start seeing past the end of their noses and stop being jerks.

Peeves:

1. Large parties who cannot order as a whole.
2. People who split checks and think that the other person's tip should cover them too.
3. "squatters" those who have long since eaten and left the bare minimum tip. Turnover people, turnover!
4. The phrase of doom "I'll take care of you, I promise"
5. People who've gotten comped in some form and tip only on the remaining balance.

Re:

[vicar.livejournal.com]

You're the 2nd person to point out 2.13 to me. It was 2.01 when I was doing it - same dif, still barely enough to cover taxes.

I don't mind split checks so much, but those people rarely tip worth a damn as you point out.

What you call sqatters we called campers. I do that to other people, but I tip to make up for it (I think I cover it)

Oh yes, people that brag about their tipping prowess totally suck. They expect you to ass-suck both them and their date to the exclusion of all else, blame you for the line at the bar and the mistake in the kitchen, then leave you a shit tip saying "Well you sucked, but you didn't swallow."

Tipping is not for superior service, it's just kindness for the most part. I swear I got better tips when I gave shittier service.