|
Post by DE Sinclair on Dec 30, 2015 8:57:42 GMT -5
I've said for years that everyone should have to work in a retail/customer service type job at some time in their lives, just so they can not only know what good service looks like, but to learn how to show proper appreciation for it. And to have a little sympathy for what the person has to go through to provide it.
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Dec 30, 2015 9:05:29 GMT -5
There's a movement starting at some restaurants in the US that adopts the European model of not allowing gratuities. The item prices are higher to ensure that the entire staff, not just the server but also the kitchen staff, host/hostess, and busboys, can receive higher wages that are not subject to the whims of the clientele, particularly after said clientele perhaps has had a few drinks or a bad day. Or who think that their server will be able to pay the rent with frickin' Bible verses. Cheap shot.
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Dec 30, 2015 9:07:25 GMT -5
When it comes to eating out, I usually leave around 20%. Its takes a lot to get stiffed by me. I'm a Christian, and I don't use the Bible like a weapon.
|
|
Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,113
|
Post by Confessor on Dec 30, 2015 9:34:34 GMT -5
I'm a Christian, and I don't use the Bible like a weapon. ...but it's reassuring to know that a heavy, leather-bound version of the King James Bible could do a lot of damage if it was hurled at someone's head with enough force.
|
|
|
Post by The Captain on Dec 30, 2015 9:41:51 GMT -5
I've said for years that everyone should have to work in a retail/customer service type job at some time in their lives, just so they can not only know what good service looks like, but to learn how to show proper appreciation for it. And to have a little sympathy for what the person has to go through to provide it. I've worked both retail and restaurant, and I agree with this wholeheartedly. They're just people trying to make a living, not your enemy because you're having a bad day, in a hurry, or don't agree with their definition of "medium rare".
|
|
|
Post by The Captain on Dec 30, 2015 9:45:09 GMT -5
I'm a Christian, and I don't use the Bible like a weapon. ...but it's reassuring to know that a heavy, leather-bound version of the King James Bible could do a lot of damage if it was hurled at someone's head with enough force. Why would you throw that at someone? It's better to hold onto it and hit them repeatedly rather than risk them ducking and you losing your weapon without doing any damage.
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Dec 30, 2015 10:11:30 GMT -5
I've said for years that everyone should have to work in a retail/customer service type job at some time in their lives, just so they can not only know what good service looks like, but to learn how to show proper appreciation for it. And to have a little sympathy for what the person has to go through to provide it. I've worked both retail and restaurant, and I agree with this wholeheartedly. They're just people trying to make a living, not your enemy because you're having a bad day, in a hurry, or don't agree with their definition of "medium rare". Americans (I know this sounds like I am on a never ending rant against the country I live {which I really might be} but it's just I can't speak for other countries) have too many choices and most have become spoiled a$$hats. Instead of being thankful for all the luxuries we have here, that many in other countries might not, many take them for granted and berate the people that provide them. Most have contributed to becoming a thankless, entitled nation.
|
|
|
Post by impulse on Dec 30, 2015 11:44:01 GMT -5
Yeah, custom work takes time, and time is money. I have friends who are artists and craftsman and make custom items, and the amount of time they need to make it absolutely factors into their pricing. I'm not sure why people think they should just pay for the cost of the components because the components alone are worth far less until skilled hands combines them into something more. And then, they don't do this for the sheer joy alone. Gotta make that money!
As for servers, I tip well. It takes a lot, and I mean, a LOT for me to dock a tip. I don't punish the server for the kitchen's mistakes. They pretty much have to have a stank attitude the whole time or just provide atrocious service. And to clarify, I don't mean just not friendly, but like actively rude and nasty.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 12:26:37 GMT -5
I tack on an additional small custom fee to the cost of the product if I have to go back and forth 10 + emails with a person because they cannot seem to organize all their wants into one email so I get little emails like this: "black leather" "I like greens." "17" neck" "I meant I like yellows. Sorry."
^^^^All of those would be separate emails. Then, after I have all of those small emails, mixed in with OTHER customer emails, then I have to go find and gather them all and try to make sense of what the person wants. Then, once I think I have that set, I have to email them back asking if I have it correct, then I have to request that they verify it by repeating it back to me. Plus, I have to make the actual products. Plus, I have to make sure I have supplies in stock. Plus, I have to call suppliers and place orders. Plus, keep my website up. Plus, keep my social networking up. PLUS, deal with the 9,000 changes custom customer is going to undoubtedly make to their order five minutes after they FINALLY place it.
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Dec 30, 2015 12:39:27 GMT -5
Ever been asked to make a collar for humans?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 12:41:56 GMT -5
NSFW lots of swear words
ppprrrrettyyyy sure if I had to be a waitress right now, this would be me. I mean, maybe a notch or two lower, but in a nutshell, I can relate. Incompetent managers, screw off kitchen staff, managers who won't cut when the restaurant is slow, etc.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2015 12:42:20 GMT -5
Ever been asked to make a collar for humans? Yes. Complete with slave title.
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Dec 30, 2015 12:47:12 GMT -5
Ever been asked to make a collar for humans? Yes. Complete with slave title. Good to know. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Gordon Scratch on Dec 30, 2015 15:06:11 GMT -5
This tipping thing has always been beyond me. Here in Europe, we don't really tip, only if we feel very generous and rich, otherwise we leave that for the tourists. The servers have a salary, and the local minimums are on par with regular jobs. First time I went to the US, a friend took me to a pasta place, and we were supposed to leave as much money as we ate or almost! I couldn't fathom that. It just seems the bosses are taking massive advantage of a sad situation, and servers feel like strippers : coming to work at a bar and never sure how much they will earn. If people stopped tiping, bosses would be forced to increase salary, right? Maybe there's something I'm missing though, about the salaries over there....
|
|
|
Post by DE Sinclair on Dec 30, 2015 15:28:23 GMT -5
This tipping thing has always been beyond me. Here in Europe, we don't really tip, only if we feel very generous and rich, otherwise we leave that for the tourists. The servers have a salary, and the local minimums are on par with regular jobs. First time I went to the US, a friend took me to a pasta place, and we were supposed to leave as much money as we ate or almost! I couldn't fathom that. It just seems the bosses are taking massive advantage of a sad situation, and servers feel like strippers : coming to work at a bar and never sure how much they will earn. If people stopped tiping, bosses would be forced to increase salary, right? Maybe there's something I'm missing though, about the salaries over there.... In the US, certain jobs such as servers are allowed to be paid less than minimum wage because it's assumed they'll make up the difference in tips. Generally the average tipping is assumed to be about 15 to 20 percent of the total bill, though that is totally at the mercy of the customer. This also creates a situation where servers who work at more inexpensive restaurants make way less in tips than those that work at high-end restaurants since it's based on a percentage of the bill.
Not sure why you would be expected to tip as much as the meal, or any where close to it, unless someone was taking advantage of your unfamiliarity with tipping. Most people are around the 15 to 20 percent range.
If people suddenly stopped tipping, the servers would just be out of luck. There's currently nothing to force employers to raise wages unless laws change, as far as I know. But tipping is so ingrained at this point that it would take a while for customers to get out of the habit, not to mention trying to get everyone to agree on one thing is next to impossible anyways. Some restaurant chains have started doing away with tipping and raising wages on their own, but none around here have done that.
|
|