The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Nov 27, 2021 11:52:53 GMT -5
I recall a study from a few years ago. They found that customers like the current tipping system because it gives them the power to punish poor service. The problem here is that waiters are often punished for a problem caused by the kitchen or management. The other problem it causes is the need to turn over tables to get more customers, and therefore more pay. In Europe, no wait person would ever ask if you were done and take your plate away.
And we have also found here, as so many restaurants can't find wait staff, that is wasn't the extra $600 that the government was providing so people would not starve, but that people realized that did not want to be overworked at crappy jobs for crappy pay with no benefits.
This is so spot-on. We went out Wednesday night for dinner, and my younger daughter's food was a little later coming to the table than the rest of ours. The waitress was so apologetic, but it wasn't her fault; my daughter had ordered wings, and the fryers in the back were in use for other orders. Other than that little hiccup, the food was great and our server was engaging (asked us about what we were doing for Thanksgiving, asked my older daughter what her letterwoman's jacket was for, etc.) and super attentive (refilling drinks without asking, bringing extra napkins, getting my older daughter more salad dressing without being asked) even though the restaurant was packed, so I tipped my usual % plus a little extra since we're in the holiday season. I will never punish the server for something out of his/her control, and if there is an issue with the server or kitchen, I will speak with the manager after the meal (and in private and quietly) but only to give feedback for improvement. I've never once yelled at a server or the manager or asked to have something comped; in fact, I've had managers try to comp things on my bill for minor things (service being slow, something coming out wrong or even cold) but I always refuse, and in instances where they still go ahead with doing it, I just tip that amount to the server. I used to be a restaurant manager, and I know that it is like trying to spin plates while riding a unicycle blindfolded, so I just chalk it up to a bad night for the staff and let it go.
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Post by Rob Allen on Nov 27, 2021 20:02:21 GMT -5
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Post by impulse on Nov 27, 2021 23:17:30 GMT -5
I agree with basically everything said the last several days of well wishes to everyone and with comments on the rough deal servers and retail staff get.
I just go with the golden rule anyway. I try to be nice to everyone because... I like being nice. It feels good to be nice. Why do you want to dump on someone's day? Just even channeling the negative vibes through you to pass onto someone else is unpleasant.
Why can't everyone just be cool?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2021 8:29:08 GMT -5
I have enjoyed reading the views on customer service (I tell people NOT to apologise about some things, I know how busy bar workers and the like are; waiting a little longer for a burger and orange juice is no big deal). My brother works as a barman, so I know the kind of crap he has to put up with, often on his busiest nights. I feel this link (about 2 minutes reading) is sort of in the same ballpark as what we’re discussing (or at least a nearby ballpark): Look at this: www.tokenpublishing.com/issue/567This is telling: I sympathise with the employee: I understand. Someone I know works in retail. He told me that his business had been offered Scottish banknotes which turned out to be forgeries, so the manager of the shop he works in has said that in order to protect employees and prevent awkward situations, he will no longer accept Scottish banknotes. Yes, they are legal tender (as far as I know), but customers should appreciate that if an employee takes a fake note, or a coin that isn’t legal tender, it’ll be their salary/job that is threatened. I just think this guy is a bit of a chance, almost like his first priority was getting a payout/compensation rather than paying for his fuel.
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Post by Prince Hal on Nov 28, 2021 21:32:16 GMT -5
The good news: the front page of today's New York Times Book Review features two reviews of books about comic books, neither of which begins with POW! BAM!. The bad news: The art piece above the two reviews looks like this (Click on the Today's Paper link once you copy and paste this link.) : app.nytimes.com/
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2021 22:17:31 GMT -5
The good news: the front page of today's New York Times Book Review features two reviews of books about comic books, neither of which begins with POW! BAM!. The bad news: The art piece above the two reviews looks like this (Click on the Today's Paper link once you copy and paste this link.) : app.nytimes.com/ Tried but it tells me I have to log in with my subscription account to view. -M
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Post by DE Sinclair on Nov 28, 2021 22:28:36 GMT -5
Completely agree with all the comments about how servers are mistreated. This past Saturday we went to a chain restaurant for lunch and it was quickly obvious that there were only two servers, though the work was primarily being done by only one young woman. She was running constantly, but was still friendly and attentive. We got our appetizer pretty quickly, but our sandwiches took a bit longer. It was obvious that it wasn't her fault because once they came out they were still hot and fresh. We noticed though that she had a moment of panic when it appeared the table next to us had left without paying. Unknown to her the restaurant had started accepting payment online, so they had paid via cell phone. We asked if she was ok, and then heard the story. At the end we complimented her on the great service and how much she's been running around. She seemed genuinely pleased that someone took the time to notice. And of course we left a decent tip.
But the whole process needs to be revamped so that people like her don't have to be dependent on the whims of strangers for their living.
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Post by Prince Hal on Nov 28, 2021 22:29:51 GMT -5
The good news: the front page of today's New York Times Book Review features two reviews of books about comic books, neither of which begins with POW! BAM!. The bad news: The art piece above the two reviews looks like this (Click on the Today's Paper link once you copy and paste this link.) : app.nytimes.com/ Tried but it tells me I have to log in with my subscription account to view. -M Damn.
I had a feeling that would be the case.
Suffice it to say it looks like one of the overlays they used on the Batman TV show: POW!! BANG! BOOOOM!
Way to be current, NYT.
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Post by impulse on Nov 29, 2021 10:29:41 GMT -5
Tried but it tells me I have to log in with my subscription account to view. -M Damn. I had a feeling that would be the case. Suffice it to say it looks like one of the overlays they used on the Batman TV show: POW!! BANG! BOOOOM! Way to be current, NYT.
bEcaUSe CoMiCs aRE fOR kiDs Apparently.
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Post by impulse on Nov 29, 2021 10:34:13 GMT -5
On the topic of service, I switched mobile carriers after a decade about 5 months ago due to a fabulous deal they offered. The bill has been wrong 5 out of 5 months. I'm about at my wit's end. I have to call them every month to fix it, but they can't seem to nail the source of the problem. All of the support reps I talk to are great, and I make a point to be clear that I know it's not their fault, I appreciate their help, they are great, but MAN the situation is frustrating. I tell them the billing experience is excruciating, but they are great. Frankly, if they can't fix it, I am waiting out the time to make sure I don't lose money on the switch again and I'm bailing back to my old carrier. Anyway, it's important to be nice to the people helping you while you explain to them politely their product and customer experience is total garbage. It's not their fault. EDIT Well, I did finally get it resolved. I made enough noise and asked for a supervisor who eventually gave me a one-time credit to handle the disputed amount in one go. She was very polite and pleasant, as was I, and I told her so. It absolutely should not have taken hours of cumulative phone time over months to resolve, but at least it is done.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,331
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Post by shaxper on Nov 30, 2021 21:25:01 GMT -5
That moment when you are googling something about an old comic, and the only helpful search result is a post at the good 'ol Classic Comics Forum 😁
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Post by EdoBosnar on Dec 1, 2021 8:49:44 GMT -5
That moment when you are googling something about an old comic, and the only helpful search result is a post at the good 'ol Classic Comics Forum 😁 Well, of course. *Most* of my posts here rank quite highly in google searches...
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Post by impulse on Dec 1, 2021 9:59:37 GMT -5
Who shares expertise with the experts?
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Post by Mormel on Dec 5, 2021 2:09:39 GMT -5
Santa Claus' bones are coming to town... They're bringing a relic that's supposed to have belonged to St. Nicholas, from the abbey of Egmond here in the Netherlands over to the St. Nicholas Church in my old hometown of Amsterdam. They didn't specify which bone it was part of though. Most of St. Nicholas' remains reside in Bari, Italy.
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Post by impulse on Dec 6, 2021 10:55:12 GMT -5
It's kind of morbid to think that Santa's body has been split into pieces and scattered across the continent. I guess the elves had enough and took things a little too far.
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