Your opinion on Resturants..... Please

PhilNH5 · Dec 4, 2003

( and I tip those who act like they expect it poorly. )

I hate it when the waitstaff asks if I need change when I hand over the payment. I once had a server ask me that when I gave her two $20 bills for a $22 tab. Come on - did you think you were getting an $18 tip??? Asking me that question seriously reduces the tip. Even if I was expecting to leave a big one.

Phil

lamarbur · Dec 4, 2003

Junkman,
what your saying in not true. Take anyone of the girsl at Gracie's or even my mother in laws when she had it, they add up the daily slips and multiply that by 15% and it's done daily with plenty of gv't paperwork to back it up. Ask the next time your at Gracies and you'll find their avg net pay chack can be $20.00 or less..

Docsknotinn · Dec 4, 2003

Thats exactly right. Its always the responsability of each and every one of us to operate on the honor system in regards to Taxes. Just because a employer takes out the taxes for most of us that does not mean that many dont do a LOTTA stretching of the truth at tax time. I dont know how many people I have talked to over the years makeing high six figure incomes that try to squeeze every last dollar out and then complain about the government /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Paying in cash Simply allows the server to have their money right then and there. Thats just the way I like to do it. Its up to them to do the right thing when they fill out their daily slips.

Bird · Dec 4, 2003

( Not soo many years back it was not uncommon to see employees stay several years )

Hmm, reminds me of the absolute, without a doubt, best waiter I've ever seen in my lifetime. It's been about 25 years ago, but two nights in a row, I ate in an Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago (two of us the first night and 6 the second night and the second night we specifically asked for the same waiter). The guy was simply amazing. I've seen waiters who tried to so hard to please that they were in the way, but that guy never got in the way, never interrupted conversation, etc., but if you finished a dish, it was gone and another in its place. If someone put a cigarette out in an ashtray, it was gone and a clean one in its place.

He was a very small man, probably about 5'5" (give or take an inch), and obviously on up in years. And he was so amazing that we had to ask some questions. He said he'd been there 51 years!

8NTX · Dec 4, 2003

( ( and I tip those who act like they expect it poorly. )

I hate it when the waitstaff asks if I need change when I hand over the payment. I once had a server ask me that when I gave her two $20 bills for a $22 tab. Come on - did you think you were getting an $18 tip??? Asking me that question seriously reduces the tip. Even if I was expecting to leave a big one.

Phil )

Phil, you have mentioned probably my biggest pet peeve with restaurants. It is usually the young inexperienced waiter/waitress that asks that question. I usually just respond with exactly what you said. "You were expecting an $18 tip??

Two days ago I had the outside windows washed at the house by a co. that had left a flyer on our door. He gave me a bill, and as I was making out the check, the man informed me that I could put the tip on the check if I wanted to. He didn't get one.

Here's a tip for those who ask for tips or ask if I need change: don't blow your tip.

Docsknotinn · Dec 4, 2003

We ate in a Italian Restaurant at Ballys in Vegas about five years ago. We had a waiter that was right there when your glass was empty but never in the way. Really top notch service. As a Chef I probably spend more time in finer restaurants when I travel just to see what my peers are up too. The last two times we have been to Vegas we have been to some VERY pricey venues, Big names etc. Service I'm sad to say was WAAAAY below par. One night we were at a five star restaurant. In the middle of our meal our waiter dissapeared and their was a big gap in service. It seems it was shift change ! ooops. Best service and meal ever.... The White Barn, Kennebunkport Maine. Best Food City.... New Orleans or should I say naaaw lens /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif or Maybe San Francisco..err Chicago hmmmm So many Restaurants sooo litttle time /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

RonL · Dec 4, 2003

Junkman

IRS assumes that you are getting a tip and taxes waitstaff on that basis.

RonL

RobertN · Dec 4, 2003

I agree that you should do a good job, period. Don't matter if the pay is great, ok, or not so good. If you are going to do something, do it right, and do it well.

You never know, some person might see you doing it right and doing it well, ands may want you to work for them for better wage.

If nothing else, at the end of the day, you can take pride in doing it right.

wroughtn_harv · Dec 4, 2003

I tip. I like the concept. Put me in the love it category.

Unless the service is just plain rude even bad service is going to get at least ten percent. Exceptional service will get twenty and sometimes thirty percent.

About thirty years ago I had a crew do a fence job in Sun City, California for a real nice lady. I didn't realize just how nice until the crew came in and were talking about how she'd given each one of them a twenty as a token for her appreciation for their work. But she didn't give them the check. She told the foreman she wanted me to come by and pick that up myself. I got a fifty. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I now work by myself. But every now and then a customer will give me a tip. I'm appreciative. After all, I gave them a price, I did the work, and got paid. The bonus is better than a pat on the back.

One thing most folks don't think about when they get superior service from a tradesperson is they can tip without cash. It's called a letter of appreciation. If you call in about a problem and someone steps up to the plate and takes care of your problem instead of giving you the run around. The best thing you can do for yourself and them is to write a letter expressing how pleased you are.

That letter will encourage them to keep on doing the right thing. It also alerts management to what makes the world go around. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Docsknotinn · Dec 4, 2003

Well said. In all the Country Clubs and Restaurants I have worked at I can honestly say that the letters of appreciation we get and post for the staff after a event are highly appreciated. Cash is nice too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif When I was younger and worked dureing Race weeks in Daytona it was not uncommon for a Driver to come in the kitchen and thank every one. The same is true for celebritys etc. This really Rocks the staff and its the Best tip I can get as a Chef because it motivates the staff better than a cold one or a 20. I am all for tipping. Its important to remember that many of theese people do not get minimum wage.