Dining Out- Insider's Perspective

[Chickpea]

Hi Bucky

What a day!  Thanks so much for letting us know.  I was raised to be courteous:  my parents always told us to bear in mind the dreadful pay many people get and what's asked of them.  Both my boys worked as waiters in a 5 star hotel when they were students.  They learned a lot, not all of it to the credit of their rich customers.  As well as a fair/generous tip, remember to make eye contact with your serving staff and maybe even spare a smile or kind word.  You'll definitely stand out from the crowd!

I hope next weekend is a little quieter for you!

Take care - Chickpea

[Linda196]

I totally agree, MOST wait staff is an undiscovered undervalued treasure. I have had a few unfortunate experiences with rudeness, the most recent of which was the waitress who asked VERY LOUDLY as I was using the debit machine why I wasn't including a tip! I was sorely tempted to go back to the table and retrieve the $5 I had left there, but I know that particular restaurant pools tips and didn't want to slight the other, much nicer, people who work there. I've seen her at this place for years, just never had any contact with her, but it seems others have stopped going there because of her! I can't understand why they keep her.

What really annoyed me most was the fact that I was dining alone and had made an effort to chat with her, and she responded with one word "yeah/nope" answers.

I dine out once a month at most, I actually save up for it, and I try to make it delightful adventure......just wasn't meant to be that day.

[Bucky]

I've seen her at this place for years, just never had any contact with her, but it seems others have stopped going there because of her! I can't understand why they keep her./quote]


I don't know why they keep her either (maybe, she's related to the owners?!).

Not everyone is cut out to be a server.  A lot of places have a high turnover of staff.  On occasion, you will find a person who has worked at the same restaurant for eons.  They're the good ones.  They're the ones people ask to sit in their section, and they tip them well - because they do their job, and do it well.

Linda - how 'bout a road-trip?  You could come to "my" restaurant - we'll treat you like a queen.   

Bucky

[aussie mum]

Tipping is not compulsory in Australia - we are charged more for the meals to cover decent wages for the staff.
It can be very confusing for the first time Aussie traveller, we never know when to tip, how much to tip.

[hikerknees]

Yes some customs are barbaric here in the USA, decent wages should be paid to some of the hardest working people on the planet, and not be dependent on whether the customer has had a bad day or not!  Too bad we can't pay politicians only if they balance the budget or CEOs only if the company is profitable AND has decent working conditions.  Can you tell I have had a bad week?

[kimbo]

hikernees,

Even on a GOOD day, I agree with you.

[Meld256]

I totally agree, MOST wait staff is an undiscovered undervalued treasure. I have had a few unfortunate experiences with rudeness, the most recent of which was the waitress who asked VERY LOUDLY as I was using the debit machine why I wasn't including a tip! I was sorely tempted to go back to the table and retrieve the $5 I had left there, but I know that particular restaurant pools tips and didn't want to slight the other, much nicer, people who work there. I've seen her at this place for years, just never had any contact with her, but it seems others have stopped going there because of her! I can't understand why they keep her.

This type of server would have been fired on the spot in every restaurant I ever worked in!  A few people are unbelievably rude, no matter what their job.