I argue that if we move away from our current system the coin flips one way - you have bad food your salary is the same that night, you have good food you get extra. No negative implications for things beyond your control essentially. …
Speaking of other cultures, waiters in Pakistan were particularly savvy during our last visit. A couple places, they detected we were from America and demanded an “American” 15% tip. The second time, I was so careful not to speak any English words (the accent gives it away). At the very end of our meal, our waiter hears me say “tip” in an American accent and literally turns right around and demands his 15% tip… to be paid in US dollars, no less. (It’s a lot more humorous that it sounds.) So I guess you can add an adjustable tipping culture to the list.
Just an fyi, CK. “We” now called them “servers.” Androgynous.
Hmm, I would think it would be a lot LESS humorous than it sounds. I remember one time I went on a date, and she acted very much like a stereotypical type characters from a comedy show. I seriously felt like I was in the middle of a show. The thing is that it wasn’t funny at all. I laugh about it now, but at that moment, right there and then, it was not funny. It was actually more like “Oh my god, when will this end?”
I would think it won’t be funny to have someone demands to be tipped.
They are sort of forceful at first, even engaging in some banter, gauging you, but they usually won’t go too far. First time is a bit jarring, but you get used to it. Same thing happens with porters at the airport. Or with taxi drivers. But once they realize you know the game, they just try their luck and move on. The ones that are real good actors will make you feel kind of heartless. I guess that doesn’t help my case, but it can be fun-ish if you adjust a little.
The real posh places where the upper class go to be seen are different, of course, but that’s not where the good food is.
The hotel where I stay at often . The owner asked me if I left him a tip .Him and his wife run the place . I laughed and gave him shit . I do leave him a tip for the room . When I call him to reserve room 15 now . “It will be ready for you sir”
You guys didn’t chase away the original poster, right? That is not nice.
So… his attitude was poor, or you felt he should be penalized for poor judgement in deciding to work for a place so lacking in service? What was in his power to do better?
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he could have done any number of things, not least of all, offer something else; a different cut of meat; a different item on the menu… he could/should have adjusted the bill accordingly, given that the plate was hardly edible nor eaten. at the very least, he could have taken the crappy Kahlua away and asked whether he could bring something else. it feels like the above question was asked rhetorically and i’m going to refrain from commenting further as i’m really stating the obvious and with all due respect, it’s kind of tedious.
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I think what is really hurting tipping culture in the US are these credit card payment services where they goad you into adding a tip for things that should not be tipped.
Now when I get a cup of coffee to go and pay by credit card, I get buttons asking if I want to add a 20% or 25% tip. It’s extra buttons to press to leave less or pay no tip. And it’s not even clear who it’s going to - the cashier?
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It wasn’t rhetorical at all, but possibly not sufficiently to the point. In most restaurants that I’m aware of the server doesn’t have the ability to do any more than management allows/instructs them to do, but pays the price when that is insufficient. That’s not how I would run things but it’s often the case.
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Well, in Oliverb’s case, I would think either the server can do something about it (like get another piece of steak or reduce the price), or if he doesn’t have the power, then at least get the manager (someone who has the power) to talk to Oliverb. To simply walk away seems too much of “I don’t care now”
Think about is in other cases. If you bought a iPhone and you hated it, you bought it back to the store and complained about it. Yes, the clerk may or may not able to do anything about it directly, but if he can’t, you expect the clerk to talk to someone who can, and not just say sorry and walk away.
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Apologies to Oliverb then. It seemed like blaming the server for the policies of management. I get pissed off sometimes too but don’t know the server may not have any options.
Oliverb,
Did you complain to the waiter as soon as you realized the meat was mostly cartilage and gristle? Or, did you complain after you carved up the steak and extracted five choice pieces from it?
If you complained immediately, I’d agree the waiter was wrong in not offering replacement or refund. If you had already cut up the entire steak and then complained at the end of the course, expecting compensation, the waiter’s options are limited by then.
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A waiter walks 100 ft, from the kitchen to your table and gets a tip of 15-20% of the check. A delivery person rides a bike 6 blocks, in all kinds of weather, and gets $2. What’s up with that?
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What’s up with that is some folks are not tipping delivery folks enough. Also, in a lot of places, like mine, they drive company cars.
This reminds me that I can’t even recall how many years it’s been since my last time ordering food for delivery.
Why do you even go back to John’s? I can’t remember it actually being good, ever. I’ve only been there out of convenience because my dad was visiting and didn’t want to walk up hills.
I go for the atmosphere, the drinks, the sourdough, and the salads. That’s about it. I rarely, if ever, sit through a full meal because the food is way below standards, but it’s still a strong part of the city’s heritage and I love it for that. To answer your question though, I took out of town friends who wanted to visit for a taste of old San Francisco. I suggested Harris’ instead but they insisted and I made sure to set expectations. I also took them to Sam’s, which they loved; save for the unusual hours, which I mentioned in another thread. They’d already been to Tadich on a previous trip. I’ll continue to go to John’s before shows at the A.C.T. and whenever else we find ourselves near Union Sq. in the evenings because I take it for the whole package, but I will stick to salads, cocktails and bread from here on out.
Yes .Yes it is . Look your server in the face and say . " Now I don’t have to tip you at all because of the new minimum wage hike " And walk out without leaving any tip .
gosh, not even a ‘thank you’?
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