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comment by thenewgreen

The system is only broken because people feel compelled to tip 20% no matter what. My tipping works as followed:

Horrible Service: 10% Decent Service: 15% Good service: 20% Great service: 25+%

Rarely do I tip less than 20% but if I do, I the experience was likely bad enough that I've spoken to a manager. -Most people don't do this, they just leave the 15-20% and kick the can down the road to guys like me.

I'm fortunate to be able to eat in some nice restaurants from time to time. In fact, last night I had the Chefs tasting menu here. -Where you live you are swimming in 5 star restaurants, we unfortunately are not... but this one was fantastic. The server received a 25% tip which was more than justified. When he walked us out of the restaurant, he passed the fireplace where our coats were being "warmed" next to the fire and helped us in to them and then gave us some scones for our morning coffee. -Top notch.

The system works in these types of restaurants. It's broken at Buffalo Wild Wings. At places like that there is a sense of entitlement. "I'm going to give you lackluster service and you're going to tip me 15-20% regardless" is the mindset. -I would agree that the system is bullshit in those types of places. It works well in fine dining though.





kleinbl00  ·  4071 days ago  ·  link  ·  

If I go to a restaurant and buy a bowl of corn chowder and a glass of water, the restaurant is into me for $6. Let's say I give the standard of 20% - that gets you $1.20. I'm not the kind of asshole who tips coins, which means I'm tipping $2. You're getting a 33% tip for bringing me two things and we're both feeling ripped off - you because I only left $2 and me because fully 1/4 of my meal price was your surly, unthankful service.

If I go to the same restaurant and buy the surf'n'turf and a flute of roederer, the restaurant is into me for $85. Let's say I give the standard of 20% - that gets you $17. You've still brought me two things - but now you're making $8.50 per serving vessel. Yer damn skippy you're happy - you made "case of beer money" bringing me two damn things. Me? Well, there's no kind of service you can legally give me that will make me happy, particularly since in order to drink that glass of roederer over we involved the sommelier who I also have to tip.

It makes more sense to tip at Subway than it does to tip at Spago. At a 5star the guy who brings me my food is just bringing me my food. At Subway I'm determining if I want e.coli or not.

Pay an hourly wage that makes sense, just like the rest of the world. If I think you went above and beyond, I'll slip you a little something. Otherwise just f'ing figure it into the cost of the food.

thenewgreen  ·  4071 days ago  ·  link  ·  

But then, you're still going to be "tipping" because the restaurant is going to have to pay these people more money. When they have to do this, the prices go up. 6 or one half dozen?

kleinbl00  ·  4071 days ago  ·  link  ·  
IntimidatingScones  ·  4070 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Point 1: places like B-Dubs isn't worth it not simply because of the system but because of the jacked up prices on mass produced food. It's better to save your cash for the places that are worth it. I think I correctly read this point in your post.

Point 2: I am always delicious. With coffee or otherwise. I think I also correctly read that in your pos--what? What kind of harassment...?!

thenewgreen  ·  4070 days ago  ·  link  ·  

1. A place like B-Dubs isn't about the food, unless you're not a fan of food. It's about meeting up with friends and watching sports and drinking. The overwhelming majority of people there go for this reason. If you're going to B-Dubs for the cuisine, you have a whole slew of other problems beyond tipping/service.

2. I'm not sure I get this part?-

    I think I also correctly read that in your pos--what? What kind of harassment...?!
IntimidatingScones  ·  4069 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You said scones are delicious. My name is Intimidating Scones. I made a joke that I'm delicious which is borderline sexual harass--OH NVM! I'm not funny!!