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In my "ideal" world when somebody tells you it s 10 bucks, it means 10 bucks, not 10+gratuity+fee+tax. I don't stay in high end hotels, but if I did, I would be in hell for me. Everything is "complimentary", but of course it is not at all. Who do I pay, how much, all these unspoken rules.
Another thing that just blew my mind was a radio show about Christmas gift in New York, I heard a few years ago. According to that show , a Christmas "gift" is basically a mandatory annual payoff to a superintendent, doorman, even people who already are tipped every time they provide the service (like your hair stylist, if you actually have one). My reaction was WTH? To me it looks more like an extortion scheme - you got to pay the guy, cause he'll make it even and not fix your hot water when you need it.
I just still struggle with main question: why do I need to pay somebody directly for just doing their job even though I already paid this other guy (or a faceless company - doesn't matter) to send the guy and fix me what I need? Why is it that one can be allowed to say this service is going to be X bucks, but the quoted price did not include compensation for the very person who actually provides the service. Worse - why do the say the service is free (like pizza delivery), when it clearly is NOT (pay or face the social consequences)?
I don't blame the waiters, or pizza guy, of course, I pay them as I should, I just hate the whole thing. If they say it is X, it should be X, unless I actually decide to add something on my own, but if I don't, the waiter/pizza guy will still be able to support their families.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
As a manufacturer I jump through hoops so we can meet various regulations in foreign markets for export. I just wish the US would do the same. Require all imported products to leave facilities that meet the same environmental and human standards we set for the companies within our borders.
Fezo, it's true that refineries have become more efficient and can refine more fuel at an existing facility, but demand has skyrocketed more than supply. Even today a consortium is trying to build a refinery in North Dakota, but the project is being blocked by environmental lobbyists.
I'm also with you that anything imported into the USA should be made in factories that meet our standards - environmental, minimum age of labor.... If a country doesn't want to do that, fine. Build it over here.
BTW - back on Floridians on weather..... I lived in Tallahassee for a year and pretty much loved it. This turned out to be a pretty cold winter (76-77). It snowed four times one of which closed I-10 with 4" of snow! One morning I woke up and it was 8 degrees. That said, that was all December and January. By mid-February the celebrate Springtime Tallahassee and by then you know you can count on ice weather. By mid-March I was back swimming in the gulf. The Floridians were saying "Are you crazy? The water will be around 70!" They apparently don't consider under 80 acceptable.
Fezo, first thing you need to understand is that Tallahassee's climate is not subtropical like the southeast or southwest part of Florida. Thus, it gets very cold there during the winters where in south Florida, it rarely goes below the 60's by night or the low 70's by day. Secondly, Tallahassee is on a different time zone than most of Florida - central time zone for Tallahassee and eastern time zone for most of the rest of the state.
Those of us who are South Floridians look at Tallahassee as a climate similar to Atlanta - mild winters but with the possibility of snow. Down here I've never seen so much as a flurry. Tallahassee is the state capital, but people who live in Tallahassee are more like southerners in Alabama or Mississippi while south Florida is inhabited by mainly displaced northerners.
So as for climate, it is much more temperate than south Florida.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
We'd comment that Florida was the only state whose capital was in another state. Was really more like Georgia in a lot of ways. It was also crazy politically earlier than a lot of places on the county level because just about half of the people that lived in Leon County lived in Tallahassee. In 1976 the mayor was a black Republican. The best things were the sheriff elections. For several election in a row you'd have a classic southern redneck running against a criminology professor from the county college. It always ended within a few votes. The redneck won the year I was there and the prof beat him the next year.
That year even the peninsula had a hideous winter. It was the first time (and only that I know) that the Miami weather station ever recorded snow.
I learned right away that a college town that's also a state capital is not a bad place to live. So here I am in teh middle of nowhere...
Anyway, we took the 328i and averaged 30.5 mpg at an average speed of 75 mph. The 3er is really a nice car, and in base form it has capabilities that 99% of owners will never come close to exploiting. The Continental summer run-flats make the ride a tad brittle, but overall the car is a decent long-distance cruiser. The optional 17" wheel package is not staggered, and I think the car may have less understeer than a Sport Package car; in any event I have yet to encounter anyone who keep up with it on a twisting two lane or on-ramp. If I could change one thing, I would add sport seats, as the base seats simply don't fit me as well.
So, my son and I spent the entire day at Mid-Ohio. Goodyear had a short autocross course set up to demo their new UHP Eagle F1 Asymmetric All Season tire. You could take 2 or three laps in new 335i sedans. They didn't ask my son's age(he's 2 months shy of 18) so he took out a 335i as well. My impression? Great tires, decent car. The electric steering is almost totally devoid of feel(not as bad as the 5 Series, but that's damning with VERY faint praise), and the engine's power delivery was rather inconsistent- the power seemed to be either on or off. I have to think the engine was not at 100%, as I have driven other Bimmers with that engine and they were fine.
Next up we took a test drive in a new X1. Very nice. It feels remarkably nimble and the interior is devoid of Munich's excessive gadgetry(such as the "beer tap" automatic shift lever). My son thinks we should buy one for my wife so he can get the 3er. Well, maybe if I hit Powerball...
My son wanted to shag a ride during an instructor session so I borrowed a helmet and just happened to run into Mike Valentine, who I haven't seen since he launched the V1 radar/lidar detector years ago. It turned out he was also instructing and had brought along his Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0:
One of just 600 built, packing 500 bhp- 0-60 in 3.8s, top speed of 193, all for just $185,000. Anyway, Mike graciously offered to let my son ride along and he had a blast. I think they lapped every car twice.
When I test drove the X1 one of the BMW NA staff asked me if I would mind driving their M3 test car back to BMW Financial Services. My son also seconded the idea, since it meant he would get to drive the 3er back to the hotel. It was an Interlagos Blue coupe with the manual box and the Competition Package:
I'd driven an M3 a couple of years ago, and the 1 hour drive reminded me why I prefer a naturally aspirated motor. The sound of the V8 alone is worth the price of admission. The CP gets you Electronic Damper Control(EDC) -AKA adjustable shocks- which allows you to set the car up for comfort or performance. On top of that, there is an "M button" on the steering wheel which allows you to store settings for ride quality, throttle response, steering effort and stability control. Thus you can cruise along in geeze mode yet you have the ability to immediately put the sled in attack mode. I thought I wanted an E46 M3 or Z4 M Coupe when I sold the Mazda off in a couple of years, but now I'm not so sure...
We finished up with the awards banquet, where we heard BMW driver Joey Hand relate the details of his harrowing crash at Mid-Ohio(he was back behind the wheel the following weekend). At the end of the evening I won a bucket full of Sonax car care products, so all in all we had a fine time. I only wish we could have spent the whole week, but you take what you can get...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Sounds like a fun day, and very well written story. I think you have to get used to that light steering, and the thing is, most people do. My wife's former 335 had the firmest steering I have experienced since power sterring and she didn't like the Audi's light steering, but, now she loves the Audi and hasn't said anything about the steering for awhile.
It could be that BMW is also trying to get a portion of drivers to take the "Eco-Comfort-Sport- and Sport+ packages which firm up the steering very nicely. I think BMW markets their cars so that you have to keep adding options until you get the car you want.
I was looking at building a 328 on their website. If you want a half descent car you have to buy the Sport, Prestige or Luxury Package...they cost about $1200 to $1500. That's just for getting a basic car. Then as we found, about $3500 for a nav and rear camera. With the Audi it comes in about 4 different models, but once you choose your model there is nothing left to add. It took about an hour to figure out options on the bmw, and 5 minutes to decide on which Audi.
I think in the 5 Series you have to get the M package to get the different driving categories. I was not impressed with a 528, but the 535 with an M Package (which isn't like a super engine M package) makes a huge difference. I would not have bought a 5 Series without it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well, my representive told me that most of the restaurants had dropped out.
One reason they may drop out is because even though you get one meal free the waitress/waiter should get a tip based on what the meal would have cost. It isn't fair to the waiter/waitress to be paid a tip based on the dollar amount of the bill.
For good service that makes dining more pleasureable I leave 20% because it adds enjoymnet to the meal. On a $30 meal it is the difference of leaving 15% or $34.50 and $36. In the big scheme of things the extra $1.50 hopefully won't put me in the poor house.
I was once told if you had a job where people tipped, you will be a generous tipper. I drove taxis when I went to teachers college, so I know how important tips can be. Unfortunately, some restaurants take all the tips, divide it amongst the staff, and keep a portion for themselves. I think they will try to stop this practice.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A question Mike? I think you said you wouldn't live where you do if it wasn't for your father living there. Do you mean, you wouldn't live in that particular complex or you wouldn't live in the Miami area? Just where would you live?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You now do live in the U.S. where tipping is expected, right or wrong.
I can see where you are coming from but tipping is a part of the American Way.
It may not be a "fair" system but waitpeople in restaurants simply can't make it without tips. I personally feel that if a person chooses not to leave a tip that they probably shouldn't eat out.
That said, I suppose restaurants could go with a "no tipping" policy and raise the employee wages to compensate. That of course, would result in higher menu prices.
I don't see the system changing.
When I left on my cruise out of NYC last year, I handed my bags to the porter and made sure as I was handing them he saw the $10 in my hand. I saw a few people hand them off with no tip. I hope those bags made it to the ship!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Gas tank capacity = 1.7 gallons
Speed = 62 – 74.6 Miles/hour
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Travel distance with a full tank = 404 miles
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good point! Or they should eat at Chic-Fil-A.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, they knew that when they signed up for the job but they also knew that much of their pay came from tips and they depended on them
I once heard a guy say that on the last day of their cruise that they left nothing and he was almost proud of this.
I also worked with a guy who would leave either nothing or next to nothing when we went to lunch together. It was so embarassing that one day I mentioned it to him.
His response was..." the restaurant pays them to do their job"
After that, I didn't go to lunch with him anymore.
Or they might spit on their luggage.......just joking!
I figure, over my lifetime if I tip generously I may pay out $1000 in tips (I never actually calculated, but just a rough estimate). Whatever happens, if I end up on the street begging for money, if I can afford a new car every year, if I win the $10 million dollar lottery, if I am penniless, I will know I was a decent human being who made people's lives a little better.
That is worth more than the actual money.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2018 430i Gran Coupe
After that, I didn't go to lunch with him anymore
You learned something about that guy, that he wasn't a decent person.
On some of those cruise ships they pay the staff next to nothing. They get their staff from poor countries and the ships are registered in countries that don't have minimum wages. For a lot of the staff they join the cruise ship to get a job so they can get some experience so they can better themselves. Most of us would not last a day doing the work these people do, for room and board and a few dollars.
You made a good move in dropping that guy, it tells you something about him. That's the good lesson.
Hate to mention the swimming pool next door but my neighbor came crying how he didn't want to upset him. Our life was miserable for a month while he put in his pool. He promised to put in a row of 12 foot cedars to give us privacy. He has put in one scrawny cedar that he moved. I now know what this guy is really like, and I hope he has to ask me to bring in a caterpillar again, because I will tell him he's on his own.
(Sorry Mike, but I am using this as an example in evaluating other people that you may consider as friends).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm sure its much much more than that, but I get your point.
Isell,
Not tipping the cruise line employees is CRAZY!!! Those people bend over backwards for you. If you can't afford to honor good service than don't go on the vacation.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Many years ago it was nice travelling in other countries, because many did not have the "tipping system".
That has really changed, I am not sure if there is any country where tipping is not practiced, even in Eastern Europe, although it seems to be 10% in most countries other than Canada - U.S.
I understand that you tip even though you don't agree with it. You just have to make it part of the game, either you pay it as a tip, or it gets added to the bill. At least if it is added as a tip, it goes to the right person.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Stop talking about me but thanks for the reminder. Just like a few months ago, I have to make another deposit soon. Too much of a lump building up on my side of the bed so I’ll have to put it over on Mrs. j’s side but I think she’s catching on. The last time I made a deposit she said, “we need to replace this old mattress”. :shades:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
i was in high school, we had a spanish teacher that was liked by many (me!) and dispised by a few. He just happened to have a swimming pool and one night a 50 pound bag of Gravy Train ended up in his pool.
The following school day a number of the "usual suspects" including myself were called to the Vice Principal's office.
I happened to be at a school dance that night so I had a good alibi.
How did I know it was a 50 pound bag? Because I was approached at the dance and asked to chip in for the bag of dog food.
No, I didn't and the guilty parties were never caught that I know about.
I would never tell on you either!
When we lived on another street, our neighbors had a pool. Once in awhile it just foamed and foamed with bubbles...the kids, and I am pretty sure I know which ones, would empty a bottle of dish soap near the water jets.
Hmmm, that gives me an idea.........................
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It''s not the amount of steering effort that bothers me; it's the almost total lack of steering feel. The steering in my 2002, 318ti, and 328i all allow me to know exactly what the front tires are doing- how hard they are cornering, whether they are about to slide, if a tire is becoming hot, etc. In my '02 I can even tell if one wheel is on concrete and the other is on asphalt. In other words, their steering feel communicates exactly what is going on at the front wheels. Perhaps this excerpt from a July 2010 Car and Driver 3-way comparison test -where the new 535i finished last- explains it better:
What, exactly, befell the new 535i? Steering feel. Rather, lack of steering feel. The new electric power assist has not only rendered the steering uncommunicative—particularly on-center—but, for some reason, it has also become heavier. When you can’t determine road textures and slip angles and how hard those 19-inch Goodyear run-flats are working, you lose confidence if the roads are damp and as kinked as week-old spaghetti.[emphasis added]
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2018 430i Gran Coupe
When we visit my Delray Beach brother we go to an Italian restaurant like that. I can’t remember the name but I was told that the original owners sold it but are now the owners again. I like garlic rolls a lot but even I have to tell them to cut down a little on the minced garlic that is on the top. One time when I told a waiter about this he said, “OK, I’ll tell them to cut back on the garlic for this table but it doesn’t seem to stop the little old ladies that come here and stuff their purses with them before they go home. I swear they must have a separate purse just for those rolls because there is no way they, or anyone around them, could put up with that garlic smell from carrying that purse around all the time. We can smell them coming as soon as they walk in”. :sick:
Yeah, I know what you mean about that purse stuffing.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I believe I've mentioned this before, but I have a full-time day job where I work from home and then I moonlight delivering pizzas 3 or 4 nights a week. I do this for a couple of reasons ....
1) the money is pretty good
2) it gets me out of the house and socializing with other people (co-workers and customers)
Yes, a majority of my earnings for this second job is based on tips.
In Colorado (and I believe in most states), there are two different minimum wage scales ... one for "regular" workers (currently $7.64/hr in CO) and one for workers who get tips (wait staff, pizza delivery,etc. - that wage is only $5/hr).
I've been doing the pizza thing for 4 years now ... I have documented every shift I've worked and how much I've brought home in tip money + mileage (I get .75 from the store for each order I deliver).
In 4 years, I've averaged $11.16/hr in tips, excluding my minimum wage. Or, put another way, I'm averaging about $550/mo in tips, while my "take home" pay is anywhere between $200-275/mo.
Of course, I've been stiffed. Of course, I'm not happy when it happens. But, I remind myself that for every stiff I've had, I've probably had a better than average tip to compensate. Hence, I try to look at the long term average rather than any one delivery in particular.
Example - on Friday, I delivered a $50 order to the local HS; a football game was in progress and the food was for the concession stand. The person to whom I delivered the pizzas to was not the same person who placed the order. I ended up getting no tip for the delivery.
On my next delivery, a $33 order, I received an $8 tip. So, it all worked out in the end.
Like Mike, I've got plenty of customer stories to share.
I also try to put myself into the shoes of the customer. It may be that this is the one time a month that they've decided to eat out, and they've scrimped and saved the money to do so. I can't complain if they don't tip me, since there may not have been any extra money to do so.
I also live by the maxim that I get the best tips in the worst neighborhoods and the worst tips in the best neighborhoods.
Why?
Because many people in those lower income neighborhoods are probably in the service industry themselves and understand what it's like to live off tips.
In the better neighborhoods ($1M houses in gated communities), it's possible that folks got those houses because they were careful about how and when they spend their money, and not overpaying for any service or product.
I know what you mean and there is one culture that is the worst at this. We might be talking about the same one. There was a guy that worked at our place years ago that was like this. He grabbed all of what was left over from meetings and took it home. One time my secretary (back then they were not called “administrative assistants”) told me she was going to get the leftover food after a meeting and let the people in our group know that it would be set up at her desk area so that they could get it but this guy had taken it before she could get there. She was telling me because it was my budget that paid for these goodies and since this guy was not in our group and had done this many times before; she was fed up about it and wanted me to know what was going on. I never paid attention to the leftovers but one time a little later I did see him rushing into the conference room and leaving with an entire tray of leftover sandwiches, bags of chips, pieces of cake and pies, soft drinks, etc. I figured this was a good time to confront him about it and I did. His lame excuse was, “jmonroe, you have to understand the culture of my country we do this all the time”. I said, “OK, since you want to talk about cultures, don’t they cut off the hands of thieves in some countries for stealing”? He never did this again with left over goodies from my group but he did continue to do it with other groups.
A fellow manager had this happen to him and when he confronted the guy and ask why he didn’t learn from what I had said to him, his response was, “I stopped doing that with jmonroe’s group but YOU never said anything to me about not doing it”. This fellow manager said to this thief and I believe him (if you knew him you’d also believe it), “If you EVER do that again without being given permission, I’ll close your damn hands (I cleaned that up due to forum rules) in that door over there and I’ll see if you can pick up a tray after that or would you prefer that I throw you down the steps so that you can’t walk”. :mad: And you guys thought that I was a meanie.
He NEVER did it again and FWIW he left the company about a year later.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
He came to America! As a US citizen he needs to become part of our Melting Pot and embrace the way WE do things!
If an immigrant can't do these things they are more than welcome to return to the country they left. They need to learn to speak English too!
If this makes me a meanie, so be it!
*jmonroe, all the Italian restaurants down here are like that with the exception of the high class, expensive ones - $25.00 minimum for an entree w/o appetizer or dessert or drink. And one other maneuver some of these people implement is, "...bring us one chicken parmiagiana w/ziti and two plates!" Some restaurants had to list "no sharing" on their menus to stop that kind of ordering.
I know I am being extra hard on "my neighbors" but it is actually comical to live down here and see what goes on.
With the economy getting weaker as time passes, these retired people who once had enough money to last their lifetimes have almost run out of money because of the increase in the cost of food. We just got a 20% increase in our AT&T home phone bill. We don't even have long distance on that line - we use the cell phone or the phone from Comcast with the computer for long distance. A Pizza used to cost $12.00, now it's $15.00. Just the price of gas has almost doubled since Obama took up residence in the White House. And now the FED is just "printing" money with nothing to back it up with. How long before the dollar is worthless? We are paying our debts with cheap dollars which the rest of the world despises.
BTW, *jmonroe, perhaps when you are down here visiting your brother we could meet at Mercedes of Delray at a specific time and have lunch together. If you're game, I am. Just let me know if you would like to do that.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I get it! All I can say is marketing studies have probably told the bmw marketing guys that if you want to win over Cadillac and Buick customers you have to have cars with insensitive steering. That's what American buyers want, and probably the potential customers in other countries don't know about insensitive steering. The electronic steering I believe is a few pounds lighter, and car makers want to reduce weight, even if it means using run flat tires.
I found the new 3 Series is pretty Americanized from the jazzy interior to the lack of driving sensitivity, what I refer to is the feel of the road. I think our A4 has more feel of the road and has a more European interior than the bmw. But, I have a feeling that won't last for long.
Mercedes was the first to go, and then bmw, next Audi. Companies stay true to their values, carve out a small niche market, and then change so they can sell more and make larger profits, even if it means catering to mass appeal.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oldfarmer is always in the market for a used car. The kind of used cars he has in mind might not be the kind the reporter has in mind.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I was a kid, maybe 10, I remember asking my Father why people always left a tip. He explained it pretty much like you did. I understand that it is just part of the going out to eat process, and man, we do too much of that. There have been very few times that I have not left a tip but I don’t feel like ‘driver’ that I have stiffed someone if the service was just plain bad and because of that I did not have an enjoyable dining experience. I don’t fall for the smiley face thing at the end either.
I don’t know how this is happening but we seem to be agreeing too often lately. You’ve gotta start reading between the lines of my posts. There has to be something in there that you don’t agree with. The dues paying members are not getting their money’s worth lately. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
*roadburner, if I hadn't just had a car where there was absolutely no feedback from the road to the steering wheel, I would not understand what you area talking about. The Lexus GS350 has absolutely no road feel at all - it's like drive on a sheet of ice. The new Mercedes Benz E350 Sport has the road feel like you are trying to describe - I feel feedback from the different road surfaces as well as on turns and stops. In the Lexus, there was absolutely no feel whatsover.
I prefer "feeling" the road surface - especially on slick roads after a heavy rain or during a downpour. In the Lexus, I felt nothing, in the Benz, I can feel if I am hydroplaning.
Excellent description of how a car should steer, roadburner. I believe the Lexus has an electric steering system while the Mercedes Benz does not, at least not yet. You never know what the future may bring.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
WOW, they even have a restaurant at the Mercedes stores now? My Buick dealer was across the steet from one in a small town, but that was as close as it got.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If I said that, let me clarify. Nothing wrong with not leaving a tip if service or food was bad, I have done that too.
I am saying , but it may have been lost in the translation, is "If a server adds enjoyment to your dining experience, they should be rewarded with a good tip". Sometimes the server can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your meal....sometimes the server brings more enjoyment to the meal than the food. They can be like an entertainer and should be rewarded accordingly.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
lol....They probably have lobster and truffles at the Mercedes store, hot dogs and burritos at the Buick store.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Are you still trying to get me to leave you the bimmer in my will?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If the experience was bad, I always try to speak with the manager and advise him/her of the problem. I don't like to stiff the waiter if the issue was that one of the line cooks left in the middle of the shift and that's why the food was slow. Why should the waiter suffer if it wasn't his fault.
I don't think *driver meant that! I believe he meant that if the service was bad, which means you asked for an iced tea refill but the waiter didn't comply with your request; or if the food was served like warm instead of hot; or the dinner was served with plates being thrown in front of the diners rather than "placed" on the table; or the waiter messed up the order and brought you fish instead of steak; or you requested a rare steak and the waiter brought you a well done steak; or the waiter was inappropriately facetious or spilled a drink on your lap; these are examples of the waiter not doing his/her job appropriately and may not be deserving of a tip.
If I am dissatisfied with a waiter's behavior or service, rather than "stiff" the waiter I would leave a 10% tip rather than 20%. There have been times when the "service" was so awful that I did stiff the waiter. But stiffing the waiter should only be done when the dinner was terrible due only to the poor service of the waiter, not the kitchen. A waiter knows the difference between a rare steak and one that is not rare. In those cases, he should put the order in again, go to the customer and tell him he hd to order the steak again because the cook overlooked it and he didn't want to bring out s steak that would have insulted the customer. The smart waiter then offers a complimentary bottle of wine or a dessert because of the foul-up.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Actually they do have a full service cafe there, but as you know, I was inviting *jmonroe to have lunch but since I don't want my email or phone number listed on a public site, I thought it would be a good place to meet since it is located not far from where his brother lives, but of course you knew that. *imidizol, if you would like to join us, fly down!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Exactly...I meant only if it was the servers fault. Rob makes a good point though, if the food is faulty or if there is a restaurant problem, it is best to let the owner/manager know.
We went to friends to a popular restaurant nearby. Our coffee was cold, I didn't care, I don't mind cold coffee, but my wife asked for a new one. The waitress brought us two new hot coffees. Also, my wife ordered honey garlic ribs. She got barbeque ribs that were very "hot", and she was shocked, they were very hot. We told the waitress and she said they were definitely the wrong ones, she would replace them. Unfortunately, it took a few minutes but she did bring the right ribs and they were fine. She was pleasant, fixed all the misteaks she wasn't responsible for, deserved and got a 20% tip.
I think it is great if a waiter offers a free glass of wine or dessert if there is a problem, but I get the feeling they may have to pay for that out of their own pocket, so they don't do it too often. If management allows it, that is a good way to make up for something went wrong.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We are trying to put something together for a trip in November or December. If it works out I’ll try to hook up with you.
Thanks for the invite. Since you’re the one who asked, you are picking up the check, right? If I like the service I’ll leave the tip. Fair of course. I don’t need a bad reputation in here.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
*jmonroe, you already have that! A bad reputation follows you wherever you go - even down here in south Florida!
And I didn't want to hook up with you, just have lunch - you're not my type!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
And that is EXACTLY the way I meant it too. When I want a refill and they don’t come by or they do and then I never get it, that is on the server not the kitchen. Like I said, it rarely happens but I have not left a tip when this happens and I’m not talking about asking for something one time and not getting it. I’m talking about two times and still nothing, that’s my button pushing cutoff. This bit about going to the manager with your complaint, I don’t want to do it because I don’t want to get the person fired. But I don’t mind trying to wake them up.
I think it is great if a waiter offers a free glass of wine or dessert if there is a problem, but I get the feeling they may have to pay for that out of their own pocket, so they don't do it too often.
That may be the case but I never thought it was like that. I always thought the place wanted to appease the customer. Like I said before the service and food at the mom/pop places are where I have the most problems. I’m trying to give them my business but some just don’t want it. The chains are far better at trying to keep the customer happy than a lot of the mom/pop places that are around me.
Let me give an example of the last time a chain acted even when it wasn’t their fault. I’m going to name the place because this is a good customer service story so this should meet with forum regulations.
About a month ago I was at Outback and the woman at the table behind us dropped her drink and the glass shattered with her drink going all over the place. I had shorts on and I said to Mrs. j, “I felt that”. I never gave it another thought but a little while later my leg still felt wet. I put my hand there and it was bleeding. I called the waitress over and asked for a wet napkin although by the time I got her, because I did direct pressure with my finger, it was no longer bleeding. Just a very minor nick on the back of my calf is all it was from the flying glass. Well, the waitress gets all excited and goes off for a wet napkin and she is back in a flash. Next thing I know the manager is at the table asking what happened. She apologizes but I said it wasn’t Outback’s fault. She leaves but comes right back with an insurance form that she says has to be filled out and there were only a few questions and I signed the form acknowledging that what she wrote was correct and I got a copy. At the end of the meal the waitress says, “your meal is on us. No charge”. I kidded with her and said, “only MY meal not hers (pointing to Mrs. j)”? She has this funny look on her face and says, “I can check on that for you” and she is about to go check. I told her I was just kidding and not to worry about it because I didn’t think they owed me a freebie in the first place.
Not quite the end of the story. The next day someone from the insurance company called the house and wanted to know if I was OK. Mrs. j, figured she better not kid around so she said everything was fine.
End of story. I don’t think that would have happened at a mom/pop place around us.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Ok be like that. I ain't commin.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Talk about inconsistant! We can have an excellent meal there one time and have two lousy meals in a row. We leave, saying we will never be back.
A year later, we go again and have a great meal only to be followed with a blah one.
Service, however is always excellent.
Everybody worries about liability these days. I'm sure some people would have sued the place. Not how I was raised.
A mom/pop wouldn't have done that, but they don't have lawyers and insurance companies on staff either.
The restaurant handled the problem extremely well, and you got help beyond expectation. You will tell people and they will also be impressed. I am impressed that they cared that much about this incident.
I do think a good indi restaurant is a real find and they can be a gem, but, a good chain is always a good safe bet, and you can't go too far wrong.
Interesting story. I don't think I have complained about something that would get one person fired. We complained about a restaurant in Florida.It was a fancy independent restaurant. The special was awful and cost $16, beef with rice, with miniscule portion of tough beef. I emailed the manager and he invited the 4 of us back for a free meal....and we went and it was good.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250