Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
42
Interestingly, many places in Miami Beach add a service charge instead of having cash tipping. Seemed to be common at 18%. I read about this on Tripadvisor so was warned - and, of course, I’m familiar with the practice as that’s what we increasingly have in the UK. I think it stems from the many international tourists who are not used to tipping so servers have lost out.
Of course, it pisses off Americans who havent appreciated what a service charge is and havent checked their bill - so end up effectively tipping twice. Problem is compounded by places not mentioning on the menu that a charge will be levied - so you have to be in the know to know, if you see what I mean.
I just recently wrote about a place in Philly we visited that automatically adds 20% to your bill, regardless of the size of your party (many restaurants will do this for 6 or more), and regardless of the fact that it’s practically self-service. It doesn’t mention this lil tidbit anywhere, but leaves room for additional tips (“highly appreciated”) on the receipt.
Yeah, no.
4 Likes
Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
44
Occasionally, you see this in the UK, usually in the more touristy places, say, in London (although I have seen it in a couple of places near home). It’s a disreputable practice that’s designed to catch out unsuspecting folk
Going back to my home in the UK from my house in France last Saturday, I stayed over in Calais after a 7 hour drive. A few rounds of drinks later I asked for the bill, server brings over the card machine, front screen lists three options for a tip, 5, 10 and 15%.
I explained that as per the law 15 % service is already included. He then shied away mumbling some rubbish. Absolutely disgraceful, some suckers, (the usual suspects) will fall for it.
The sticker shock for me is really a product of how long it had been since I was regularly eating out at a restaurant. I only remember going once even when rules were relaxed in 2022, because it just seemed like it wasn’t worth the risk with an elderly parent. Objectively, would I be as surprised if I saw incremental increases over a 4 year period, or is this a reaction to seeing it hit all at once 4 years later?
Now that I’m dining out more, I’m finding my bar slowly re-set. Truly casual meals at neighborhood places, I can still dine in and spend 20-25 per person. I’m not ordering full, long lengthy meals though here. At a more typical night out dinner, but not fancy/special occasion, I have seen $35-50 per person, pretax and tip. This may include a shared appetizer, and maybe one non-alcoholic drink, but rarely dessert. When I really want the whole hog - apps, mocktails, dessert, good service at a non-fancy place, I’m seeing closer to 60-70 per person. Not gonna’ lie - the no alcohol helps a lot. I’m in a HCOL northeast city.
2 Likes
Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
47
There was a recent thread suggesting this is becoming quite common in France. Disgraceful. I know there will be a goodly number of British customers who might fall for it but I wonder if they try that on with locals.
It’s a few years since I stopped in Calais but I’ve never felt I was being taken advantage of.
I’ve stayed in Calais a number of times per year for the last 20 years and eaten and drank at some decent, value for money places and never had a problem.
I was simply surprised at their attempts to con.
I feel like I don’t want to spend more than $50 before tax and tip on myself most of the time.
I guess I’ve tightened my own belt lately. I keep an eye on how much a cappuccino and muffin costs ($11 CAD last Monday), or an iced latte ($4.50-$ 6.50 CAD) and breakfast sandwich ($8-$16 CAD) costs. I often change my order to the cheaper cortado if a cappuccino is costing more than $5 before tax at a coffee shop.
I am having a panic attack over the prices some people pay for “ordinary occasion” meals. I guess I am truly as poor as I feel as a lowly civil servant, but I can’t imagine spending $200 on meal for two people for a non special occassion. I hit three places and my lunch was still under $20.
Right now, a nice sandwich in Toronto at an indie submarine shop or Italian sandwich shop will cost $14-18 CAD before tax and tip.
It’s close to impossible to get a sandwich and a drink, including 13 percent tax, for less than $20, unless you’re in Chinatown or in a neighbourhood with a lot of Vietnamese restaurants.
It is still possible to get a banh mi and a drink for $10 in Chinatown/ some neighborhoods with lots of Vietnamese restaurants.
Banh Mi in a neighborhood that does not have many Vietnamese restaurants often costs $12-$14 CAD, usually slightly less expensive than what submarines and Italian sandwiches would cost at indie sandwich shops ($14-$18 CAD).
Same goes with tacos. In a neighborhood with lots of Mexican restaurants, and more of a Spanish -speaking clientele, you might be able to get a good 2-3 taco/ 1 burrito lunch for $12-$15 CAD, often cash only.
The tacos will likely cost $8+ CAD each, and lunch will be $20 CAD or more, elsewhere.
New York City is pretty expensive. This section of Brooklyn where I work is ridiculously overpriced. I just buy carefully, bring coffee and food from home as often as possible. But, $80 or more per person is not feasible for me, or of any interest. I don’t want to take out a loan for a meal.
Of course, completely get it. I don’t spend that kind of money on my dining out, either.
When I get take-out for my household, I usually spend $100 CAD total on a weeknight take-out (Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, Souvlaki, Pizza with wings and salad), which gives us a leftovers for lunch the next day.
Our Fried Chicken take-out from Mary Brown’s (a chain in Canada) runs just over $40 CAD for a 4-piece dark meat chicken dinner (with potatoes, cole slaw and a can of pop) and 4 extra pieces of dark meat chicken. That’s our cheapest take-out meal for 3 lately.
It really is highly dependent on location and alcohol consumption. In NYC, if you drink alcohol, it is difficult to get out the door for even a basic meal and one drink for under $50. $18-25 is the standard price for cocktails in all but the diviest of bars and restaurants, and wines usually start at $15 per glass and go up from there. With a $25 entree (which is inexpensive by NYC standards), you’re at $40-50 BEFORE tax and tip.
I’ll give you a real life menu example - I just had dinner at BXL Cafe, an extremely casual Belgian place in midtown Manhattan. I would actually call this place one step up from a dive, TBH. We chose it because we needed a quick, inexpensive and not too touristy place to eat before a show. https://www.bxlrestaurants.com/cafe-menus/ Here’s a screenshot of their mains:
As you see, prices are all high 20s/low 30s. They also have pastas in the low 20s and burgers/sandwiches right at the $20 mark. Totally standard for this type of restaurant in this neighborhood, if not a little cheaper than average. Portions are pretty large and everything comes with frites, so no need for two courses, but if you wanted one, they are mostly in the high teens. I ordered the Carbonade Flamande (beef stew with prunes) for $29 and had two glasses of inexpensive rose ($14 each). That’s $57 before tax (8.875%=$5) and tip (20%=$11.50) for a total of $73.50 for a very non-special (though perfectly tasty) meal. Even without alcohol, the food+tip+tax would have been around $40. You can see how easy it is to get above $100pp here, especially for a nicer restaurant where you might order two or three courses.
same here as well. many of my meals out are gratis because the band i work with [usually] gets food/drink as part of their compensation. but on those occasions when that is not true i can easily spend 35% of my gig pay on the evening meal.
when i’m eating out and not gigging, i tend to be around $20 to $30 per meal before tax/tip, except on Mondays when i always take advantage of $2 tacos at the taqueria on the way to my mom’s assisted living facility.
There’s one place where my band performs, and basically the only time I could afford to eat & drink there was on a show day cuz we get 50% off… so, $9 instead of $18 for a burger, and $7-9 martinis instead of $14-18.
They changed the concept recently for the food at least, but the drinks are still pretty painful.
Just to be clear, my threshold is $80 for two, not per person.
2 Likes
CCE
(Keyrock the unfrozen caveman lawyer; your world frightens & confuses me)
60
We’re often in the $60 ballpark ($77 with tax, tip). Often lower than that, too, but seldom higher, other than the special occasions that weren’t part of the question.
The difference from yours isn’t as stark as it looks, though. We’re water drinkers, and we also rarely get apps. Unless one of us orders a couple of apps as the dinner itself.
yeah - one place we play does just that, 50% off on food and no breaks on drinks. we take advantage on the food because it would otherwise be too pricey to eat there. we also have a band cooler in the van which we use to get our drinky on.
another place is a high-end seafood place we play a few times a year which gives us free drinks but no food discount. we tend to eat there anyway because the owner frequently leaves [at least] a $100 bill in the tip jar.
