Tips: Where Do You Draw The Line?

[Slappo]

If I have to flag down my server every time I need or want something, then it's not good service. I don't care if people prefer to be mostly left alone. I've never heard of or seen someone upset because a server walked past their table, noticed the waters were low, and filled them up. I've also never seen someone upset because 10 minutes into the meal the server asked if there was anything else the party needed.

 

I definitely prefer to be left alone and I really dislike it when wait staff try to engage in polite conversation about anything other than the meal they are serving me. Wait staff that come over and make faces at my daughter and tell us how cute she is are disrupting my meal. That's way different than wait staff ensuring the meal is satisfactory and filling drinks.

[Chestertonian]

I've noticed that the people who have actually worked in food service usually tip the best, because they're the ones who actually understand all the factors that go into trying to provide a good "dining experience" for customers, and that servers are the first to get screwed when any of those factors goes wrong. 

 

Is the steak overcooked because the steak guy on the line didn't pay attention? there goes your tip. 

Are you in charge of two sections of tables because your coworker called off? there goes your tip. 

Are you at the tail end of an 8 hour shift without a single break and you aren't feeling quite as perky as when you started? there goes your tip. 

Is there a hostess or busboy who get a mandatory cut of all your tips? there goes your tip. 

 

It's one thing if you see your server just blatantly standing around, chatting with coworkers and not paying attention to your table. But there are so many reasons why being a server is hard, and lots of people who haven't worked in the industry don't understand that. 

 

I've worked in food service for a lot longer than I would have liked to, so I do know what goes on behind the scenes. I was a server for several years and I tried hard to please my customers. Most of the time it really paid off. If I was having an off day, I generally made less in tips. It wasn't surprising or insulting. Servers aren't charity cases. The amount they earn is generally based on their performance, just like everyone else's.
 

[Chestertonian]

Yeah, I am fully prepared to leave a small tip or nothing at all if the service is insultingly bad. I have not had the misfortune yet, thankfully.

 

I've had it happen several times, but I dine out way more than I should.

[homeschoolmom]

Pant.s! Veils! Modest swimsuits!!

 

I think this is one of those Phatmass repeating topics.

 

I like these table signs at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

 

[Nihil Obstat]

Pant.s! Veils! Modest swimsuits!!

 

I think this is one of those Phatmass repeating topics.

 

I like these table signs at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

 

This one is a gunpowder subject on any internet forum, apparently. We are probably doing better than your average internet group on the topic, in that respect. :hehe: A particularly 'active' thread on tipping has been known to destabilize entire fora sometimes.

[homeschoolmom]

I once nearly brought down a homeschool forum by asking if it was customary where people lived to remove shoes at someone's home, and if you request guests to remove shoes in your home. Went on for pages and pages... :|

[ToJesusMyHeart]

So do you request shoes to be removed in your home?

[homeschoolmom]

No.

[Nihil Obstat]

I once nearly brought down a homeschool forum by asking if it was customary where people lived to remove shoes at someone's home, and if you request guests to remove shoes in your home. Went on for pages and pages... :|

Geez, you are good. :hehe:

 

Canadians normally take shoes off in someone's house, their own or someone else's. Very occasionally there are times where leaving shoes on is normal, for instance if it is in the summer and half the guests are on the deck and half are inside, something like that. But even then lots of people would still take shoes off. (Edit: And you would not leave your shoes on unless the host specifically told you it was ok.)

It is kind of weird for me, as a Canadian, to be down in the US where people often leave their shoes on inside. :smile3: Takes a lot of getting used to.

 

(Our way is better. :| )

Edited April 17, 2013 by Nihil Obstat

[homeschoolmom]

Geez, you are good. :hehe:

 

Canadians normally take shoes off in someone's house, their own or someone else's. Very occasionally there are times where leaving shoes on is normal, for instance if it is in the summer and half the guests are on the deck and half are inside, something like that. But even then lots of people would still take shoes off. (Edit: And you would not leave your shoes on unless the host specifically told you it was ok.)

It is kind of weird for me, as a Canadian, to be down in the US where people often leave their shoes on inside. :smile3: Takes a lot of getting used to.

 

(Our way is better. :| )

Starting a new thread...

[Nihil Obstat]

Starting a new thread...

Can we call it "Shoes: Where Do You Draw The Line?"

[homeschoolmom]

Can we call it "Shoes: Where Do You Draw The Line?"

Yes.

[dUSt]

I don't tip. I don't believe in it. If they don't make enough money, they can quit. I don't tip because society says I have to. If they really put forth the effort, I'll give 'em somethin' extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doin' their job.

 

I used to work minimum wage, and when I did I wasn't lucky enough to have a job that society deemed tip-worthy. Working at McDonald's is hard, but you don't feel the need to tip them. They're servin' you food, but society says, "Don't tip these guys over here, but tip these guys." 

 

I'm very sorry the government taxes tips. That ain't my fault. Show me a paper that says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it. I'll vote for it. But what I won't do is play ball. If you're expectin' me to help out with the rent, you're in for a big surprise.

 

I hope I've convinced you all to take your dollars back.

[Nihil Obstat]

Masterful.

 

[Maggyie]

I've never heard about tipping the hotel staff? I mean besides people who carry your bags. Obviously them. but the housekeepers? I asked my husband and he has never heard of this either and he traveled quite a bit growing up! Is it regional? If not I am very embarrassed. I always try to leave the hotel room and bathroom very neat for them but I didn't realize I should be tipping... urgh...