POST STUFF
|
 by Slapnuts, Level 71
Last updated at November 20, 2009, 5:49 am
|
|
Arrested for not leaving a tip? These college students in Philadelphia were handcuffed and arrested for not leaving a $16.35 tip. The main issue of contention seems to be the mandatory "18% gratuity added to check for parties of 6 or more". They had over six friends with them though they suffered through horrible service: "They had to find their own napkins and cutlery while their waitress caught a smoke, had to ask the bar for soda refills, and had to wait over an hour for salad and wings, they told NBC10." Mandatory gratuity is complete bull**** as it should be solely based on the quality service.
"Chuck" finally has its return date set in stone which you may have seen announced last night during "The Office". January 10th (Sunday) is officially super-Chuck day as two episodes will air from 9-11pm and then the following day Chuck moves to its regular Monday time slot of 8pm. I am definitely excited for the return of Chuck. I may have lost out on T.S.C.C. but at least Chuck is back.
 |  Finding pictures of Keeley showing off skin with her clothes on is actually a bit of a challenge |
I am curious as to when we will stop calling this Hasan nutjob "Major" and refer to him as what he really is, a terrorist. The latest? Telling an al-Quaeda recruiter that "'I can't wait to join you' in the afterlife". This guy was a joke of a Major but he seems to have the terrorist role down pat. Drinkingwithbob may be a bit "out there" but he makes a valid point, the mainstream media seems to refuse to address him this way even though every single damn sign points to it accordingly.
Eminem's Relapse 2 is being delayed until next year which should come as little surprise to rap fans considering how late in the year it is. He plans on dropping it sometime in 2010 but in the mean he wants to tide you over with Relapse Refill in December, a rerelease of Relapse with 7 new songs including "Taking my ball" and "Forever" (the later sucks but Em's verse is ferocious). Hopefully Relapse 2 will lead to a tour next as Em is one of the few rappers I would care to see in concert (again).
The Hadley Climate Research Center, major supporters of global warming, seem to have a bit of egg on their face in recent days. A hacker gained access to confidential data and emails some of which clearly points to Hadley CRU fudging the numbers to portray things how they want them in particular the now semi-famous "hockey stick" graph which seemingly supported global warming. I can't wait to see how they react to this leak and what kind of justification they have for making their numbers "fit" with certain policy decisions.
Here is a interesting look at Avatar with some new footage as well showing off the human hardware. I have my concerns about this film plot-wise but it is still on the "to-watch list":
Romero's Survival of the Dead is definitely looking better than Diary and while not as slick and flashy looking as Land he seems to get back to his roots as far as the look and feel of the film:
Later today my MOW2 review will be up so make sure you stop by and check it out.
Report Post
91 comments
hereticaneue Nov 20, 2009 at 9:12 am
+2 votes
I agree with you on the tip thing, but at the same time there are a lot of jerks who don't tip, or who tip poorly, regardless of the service they received. =/
And if that wasn't enough Obama Care how about everyone having to pay a monthly abortion fee if you are on the national health-care plan?
Oh, come on. What the **** kind of sense does this make? Who comes up with this ****? (Unfortunately, I don't have time to read the article right now, but I will.)
Oh yeah, and +1 for zombies.
And if that wasn't enough Obama Care how about everyone having to pay a monthly abortion fee if you are on the national health-care plan?
Oh, come on. What the **** kind of sense does this make? Who comes up with this ****? (Unfortunately, I don't have time to read the article right now, but I will.)
Oh yeah, and +1 for zombies.
3 replies to hereticaneue (hide)
3 replies to hereticaneue (show)
Permalink
Post Reply
Reply to this comment
Slapnuts Nov 20, 2009 at 1:31 pm
+1 votes
I can't wait to see what other amazing nuggets are found in that 2,000+ page bill. We probably won't know some of it till passes.
oradol Nov 20, 2009 at 10:18 am
+2 votes
Mandatory gratuity is complete bull****
Yup. I had the same kind of thing happen while we were in the US (the restaurants here don't or can't charge the gratuity). I refused to pay a tip after getting terrible food having waited nearly two hours and getting no service. The difference was that the restaurant apologized and comp'd the meal rather than call the police.
Isn't the whole purpose of a tip to be optional? And what the **** is the difference between a party of 6 and two parties of 3 that makes the tip mandatory?
Yup. I had the same kind of thing happen while we were in the US (the restaurants here don't or can't charge the gratuity). I refused to pay a tip after getting terrible food having waited nearly two hours and getting no service. The difference was that the restaurant apologized and comp'd the meal rather than call the police.
Isn't the whole purpose of a tip to be optional? And what the **** is the difference between a party of 6 and two parties of 3 that makes the tip mandatory?
BlackivyNZ Nov 20, 2009 at 11:22 am
+6 votes
The whole thing stems from the fact that we Americans insist on keeping the tip culture. It goes like this
1. Tip is an important part of the American dining culture
2. Waiters get paid in tip + very little house pay
3. Big tables often shaft waiters... This is understandable from the human psychology PoV.. ($3.00 on a $20.00 bill vs. $30 tip on a $200.00 bill... They're both 15% but customers just have an aversion towards a large sum just for tip)
4. Restaurants put in mandatory tip, which is both bull**** but necessary to keep the waiters happy.
My solution to the problem? Scrap the tip bull****, start paying servers actual wages, pay up the taxes associated w/ having ACTUAL employees instead of paying them under the table. Tip should be optional, and should reward actual good work, and it can't, right now, because of the screwed up way restaurants pay waiters.
1. Tip is an important part of the American dining culture
2. Waiters get paid in tip + very little house pay
3. Big tables often shaft waiters... This is understandable from the human psychology PoV.. ($3.00 on a $20.00 bill vs. $30 tip on a $200.00 bill... They're both 15% but customers just have an aversion towards a large sum just for tip)
4. Restaurants put in mandatory tip, which is both bull**** but necessary to keep the waiters happy.
My solution to the problem? Scrap the tip bull****, start paying servers actual wages, pay up the taxes associated w/ having ACTUAL employees instead of paying them under the table. Tip should be optional, and should reward actual good work, and it can't, right now, because of the screwed up way restaurants pay waiters.
Emptyishness Nov 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
+1 votes
This. Waiters in the European countries I've worked in just get minimum wage, not so difficult.
Wadsworth1 Nov 21, 2009 at 4:13 am
+1 votes
How are women suppose to have careers to support themselves with no tips?
Godsmak Nov 20, 2009 at 12:28 pm
+3 votes
oradol said
Mandatory gratuity is complete bull****
Yup. I had the same kind of thing happen while we were in the US (the restaurants here don't or can't charge the gratuity). I refused to pay a tip after getting terrible food having waited nearly two hours and getting no service. The difference was that the restaurant apologized and comp'd the meal rather than call the police.
Isn't the whole purpose of a tip to be optional? And what the **** is the difference between a party of 6 and two parties of 3 that makes the tip mandatory?
Yup. I had the same kind of thing happen while we were in the US (the restaurants here don't or can't charge the gratuity). I refused to pay a tip after getting terrible food having waited nearly two hours and getting no service. The difference was that the restaurant apologized and comp'd the meal rather than call the police.
Isn't the whole purpose of a tip to be optional? And what the **** is the difference between a party of 6 and two parties of 3 that makes the tip mandatory?
Redemptions Nov 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm
+5 votes
What alot of people (and people from other countries especially just because their system works different) is how the vast majority of waiters are paid in America.
Waiters in every state except California (and those that are in the union on the Vegas strip) for the most part are paid by the house under minimum wage. It ranges from anywhere from $1.50- $3.50 an hour. You are also required, by law, to claim your tips each day, and you are taxed on these. After you taxes are taken out of your hourly wages at the end of each pay period, you more often than not receive a paycheck that has been "zero'd out". Meaning that you get a paycheck of $0.00.
That means that for the vast majority of people in the restaurant industry that work off of tips, tips are their ONLY source of income.
Most establishments have also gone to a pooling or tip out system, where the waiters have to give a cut of their tips to the other employees for their help, most often bussers or foodrunners (and sometimes bar staff). This means that of the 20% tip (assuming they gave good service 20% in america is the industry standard) they only see 13%-15% as the rest is given to other employees as part of their cut. So you think you're leaving the waiter $20 on a $100 tab, but he or she is only taking home $13-$15 dollars. The other 5-7 are given to other employees and this allows the establishment to pay THEM less than minimum wage.
Just a inner look at what black was saying.
Waiters in every state except California (and those that are in the union on the Vegas strip) for the most part are paid by the house under minimum wage. It ranges from anywhere from $1.50- $3.50 an hour. You are also required, by law, to claim your tips each day, and you are taxed on these. After you taxes are taken out of your hourly wages at the end of each pay period, you more often than not receive a paycheck that has been "zero'd out". Meaning that you get a paycheck of $0.00.
That means that for the vast majority of people in the restaurant industry that work off of tips, tips are their ONLY source of income.
Most establishments have also gone to a pooling or tip out system, where the waiters have to give a cut of their tips to the other employees for their help, most often bussers or foodrunners (and sometimes bar staff). This means that of the 20% tip (assuming they gave good service 20% in america is the industry standard) they only see 13%-15% as the rest is given to other employees as part of their cut. So you think you're leaving the waiter $20 on a $100 tab, but he or she is only taking home $13-$15 dollars. The other 5-7 are given to other employees and this allows the establishment to pay THEM less than minimum wage.
Just a inner look at what black was saying.
viewtiful Nov 20, 2009 at 1:26 pm
-3 votes
uh...correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think there is anywhere in the U.S. (at least not legally) that pay people that low per hour seeing the federal minimum is at least $5.15 (at least it used to be a few years back, might be more now).
Slapnuts Nov 20, 2009 at 1:33 pm
+3 votes
You are wrong. They are allowed to pay waiters less than that per hour because of the assumption that their tips will take them over that threshold.
Dyzz Nov 20, 2009 at 1:40 pm
+2 votes
Minimum wage is like 8 something an hour. However, since Waiters/Waitresses work on the assumption that they make a majority of thier money on tips, its a federal law that they can be paid about half of minimum wage on an hourly basis. Essentially, this is to cover thier taxes that the government knows they dont show when they cash in thier tax return. It can also cover medical/dental/whatever.
So basically the government allows the establishment to pay them less, based on the fact that they do get tips as wages.
So basically the government allows the establishment to pay them less, based on the fact that they do get tips as wages.
viewtiful Nov 20, 2009 at 2:59 pm
+1 votes
ah cool good to know
I guess being in So Cal I don't need to worry too much....
Luckily my valet company basically has no policy on reporting tips so I make waaay more than than my end of year statements say I do.
Unfortunately I'm pretty sure I am screwed whenever I need a loan because my wages on paper don't reflect how much I really make
I guess being in So Cal I don't need to worry too much....
Luckily my valet company basically has no policy on reporting tips so I make waaay more than than my end of year statements say I do.
Unfortunately I'm pretty sure I am screwed whenever I need a loan because my wages on paper don't reflect how much I really make
Eriaa Nov 20, 2009 at 3:14 pm
+2 votes
Unfortunately I'm pretty sure I am screwed whenever I need a loan
because my wages on paper don't reflect how much I really make.
Ya, I have had a few friends run into that problem with buying houses. Can't really convince a loan company that your W2 says one thing, but really you made X amount more that you didn't claim.
because my wages on paper don't reflect how much I really make.
Ya, I have had a few friends run into that problem with buying houses. Can't really convince a loan company that your W2 says one thing, but really you made X amount more that you didn't claim.
Dyzz Nov 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm
+1 votes
Thats the only downside to it. If you dont report, its not "valid income" to a bank. If you make too much tho, and eventually start reporting it, the government will come back and say "WHOA MOTHER ****** HOWD YOU GET THAT CAR HOUSE AND BOAT".
So, if your not making a ton, your prolly ok, but if you get a good paying gig (classy restaraunt or bar) your better off reporting most of it, because you can get supremely ****** by uncle sam down the road.
I have a friend who was paying for college by being a waiter at a high class restaraunt here in bmore. He graduated 5 years ago, doesnt use his degree, and makes more than me, and all he does is serve food 4 days a week.
So, if your not making a ton, your prolly ok, but if you get a good paying gig (classy restaraunt or bar) your better off reporting most of it, because you can get supremely ****** by uncle sam down the road.
I have a friend who was paying for college by being a waiter at a high class restaraunt here in bmore. He graduated 5 years ago, doesnt use his degree, and makes more than me, and all he does is serve food 4 days a week.
Eriaa Nov 20, 2009 at 3:12 pm
+1 votes
This is correct. TIPS once meant...To Insure Prompt Service. You used to actually pay the tip ahead of the meal, to insure you got better, faster service. I am unsure of when people started tipping after the meal.
I live in CA, and by our state laws, tipped employees still make min. wage. However, I have worked with people who worked in TX before, and got paid like 1.50 an hour. Now, working in the industry for 12+ years now, I do believe that you should tip based on the service you get, but personally, I always try and look at everything that goes into that tip. For example, if my food is cooked wrong, that is not the fault of the server I feel. They don't cook the food, they merely took my order, rang it up, and presented it to me. When I used to serve (I just bartend now), when people ordered steaks for example, I would have them check to make sure they were cooked the way they wanted before I left the table. Why did I do this? Because I knew if I didn't, and they *****ed 10 mins later, it would come out of my tip, even though I did nothing wrong.
The other thing to it is, the servers often have to tip out other employees for their help. Bartenders, hostesses, busser...the server has to tip them out, and it is more often than not based on a percentage of the servers SALES, not tips. So if the tip out requires them to tip out 10% of their total sales, and they sell 100 dollars, and make no tips, they are required to tip out 10 bucks...which they didn't make. So serving that table actually cost the server money.
For people who complain about tipping, and would like to see it changed. I say go for it...if you want to completely kill the service industry in America. With my wages and tips, I make roughly 30 dollars an hour. Now go tell my boss that you no longer want to tip, but instead want him to pay me more. Good luck convincing him to pay me 30 bucks and hour. And say you do...you'll just have to pay more for the food and drinks, because the cost of increased wages has to be paid from somewhere.
The system isn't perfect by any means, but it works. I know I don't want to have to pay 20 dollars for a martini, but if bars had to pay bartenders 30-40 dollars an hour, you probably would. Like I said, I believe you should tip based on service, but out right stiffing someone does little good. If you are that upset with the service, leave a modest tip, write a letter or talk to someone, and don't give them your business anymore.
Also, I know where all you non tippers live...expect some presents in your next order, j/k =p
I live in CA, and by our state laws, tipped employees still make min. wage. However, I have worked with people who worked in TX before, and got paid like 1.50 an hour. Now, working in the industry for 12+ years now, I do believe that you should tip based on the service you get, but personally, I always try and look at everything that goes into that tip. For example, if my food is cooked wrong, that is not the fault of the server I feel. They don't cook the food, they merely took my order, rang it up, and presented it to me. When I used to serve (I just bartend now), when people ordered steaks for example, I would have them check to make sure they were cooked the way they wanted before I left the table. Why did I do this? Because I knew if I didn't, and they *****ed 10 mins later, it would come out of my tip, even though I did nothing wrong.
The other thing to it is, the servers often have to tip out other employees for their help. Bartenders, hostesses, busser...the server has to tip them out, and it is more often than not based on a percentage of the servers SALES, not tips. So if the tip out requires them to tip out 10% of their total sales, and they sell 100 dollars, and make no tips, they are required to tip out 10 bucks...which they didn't make. So serving that table actually cost the server money.
For people who complain about tipping, and would like to see it changed. I say go for it...if you want to completely kill the service industry in America. With my wages and tips, I make roughly 30 dollars an hour. Now go tell my boss that you no longer want to tip, but instead want him to pay me more. Good luck convincing him to pay me 30 bucks and hour. And say you do...you'll just have to pay more for the food and drinks, because the cost of increased wages has to be paid from somewhere.
The system isn't perfect by any means, but it works. I know I don't want to have to pay 20 dollars for a martini, but if bars had to pay bartenders 30-40 dollars an hour, you probably would. Like I said, I believe you should tip based on service, but out right stiffing someone does little good. If you are that upset with the service, leave a modest tip, write a letter or talk to someone, and don't give them your business anymore.
Also, I know where all you non tippers live...expect some presents in your next order, j/k =p
Dyzz Nov 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm
+1 votes
Federal Minimum wage is federal level. I think minimum may be around 6 or 7 bucks an hour from the feds, but here in MD its like 8.25. So the states can supercede the feds, but they cannot go below it.
Furthermore, i absolutely cannot stand people who eat and then leave like 3 bucks no matter what they ordered or how many people, my fiancee's mom does this, tho she doesnt understand i dont think or isnt good with numbers haha. Generally i overtip, and i round up as well as leave the change. If the person is meh, i will leave 15% anyways, if they are bad, i leave 5%. Horrible = Nothing.
Furthermore, i absolutely cannot stand people who eat and then leave like 3 bucks no matter what they ordered or how many people, my fiancee's mom does this, tho she doesnt understand i dont think or isnt good with numbers haha. Generally i overtip, and i round up as well as leave the change. If the person is meh, i will leave 15% anyways, if they are bad, i leave 5%. Horrible = Nothing.
Malf Nov 20, 2009 at 5:54 pm
+1 votes
I was gonna type out a well-worded, thoughtful post about the trials and tribulations of serving tables. About how many tables I've given flawless service to who stiffed me. But instead I'll just express how I feel most days when i get home from my shift:
**** EVERYBODY.
Want to lose your soul? Go wait tables. Here's a vid for your viewing pleasure that sums up about 30-40% of the clients in my area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKxAcDxIg1U
**** EVERYBODY.
Want to lose your soul? Go wait tables. Here's a vid for your viewing pleasure that sums up about 30-40% of the clients in my area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKxAcDxIg1U
peteyd Nov 20, 2009 at 10:38 am
+1 votes
haha, is that Ezio from Assassin's Creed 2's short movie? i swear that kid in the 2nd trailer looks just like him
Nobbeh Nov 20, 2009 at 11:12 am
+1 votes
Eminems collab with Drake Kanye and Wayne was pretty good, not a fan of Kanye or Drake's verses though. I'm not surprised his album has been delayed really, pushing 2 albums of really good quality in 2years is tough, let alone one!
Slapnuts Nov 20, 2009 at 1:35 pm
+1 votes
Im not a big Drake fan either, hence not being that thrilled with the overall song. Drake and Ye's verses are the weakest as well and Weezy is alright. Em however knocks it out of the park and almost seems to take some jabs at some of the artists if you listen closely.
neLson Nov 20, 2009 at 2:43 pm
+1 votes
nah you just like the white guy from detroit, whole thing's good
Spinnaz Nov 20, 2009 at 4:37 pm
+1 votes
neLson said
nah you just like the white guy from detroit, whole thing's good
Chucho Nov 20, 2009 at 10:37 pm
+1 votes
Eminem raped all of them, Kanye was the only one that kept up with 'Em.
Worker Nov 20, 2009 at 11:15 am
+0 votes
Why do people think the quality of food has anything to do with the gratuity. Chances are, your server did not cook your food. The restaurant isn't getting that money. It goes to the server for their service. If your service is acceptable and the food is terrible, complain about the bill, but pay the damn gratuity!
Slapnuts Nov 20, 2009 at 1:35 pm
+2 votes
Where was anyone arguing that the quality of food should be a part of the tip?
Eriaa Nov 20, 2009 at 3:19 pm
+0 votes
Most people tip based on that however. "My food came out wrong, NO TIP FOR YOU"
You'd be amazed at some of the stories I have. I'll tell a quick one.
This wasn't my table, but a girl I worked with. A guy ordered a burger, and wanted no pickles. She forgot to modify it to say no pickles. It came out with pickles. I **** you not, the guy went completely nuts...screaming, yelling, cussing...he straight up called her a stupid ****...over pickles. **** man...take them off big deal.
Whenever I read complaints about a place...the quality of food is always mentioned...so I think a lot of people tip based on that, not the actual service.
You'd be amazed at some of the stories I have. I'll tell a quick one.
This wasn't my table, but a girl I worked with. A guy ordered a burger, and wanted no pickles. She forgot to modify it to say no pickles. It came out with pickles. I **** you not, the guy went completely nuts...screaming, yelling, cussing...he straight up called her a stupid ****...over pickles. **** man...take them off big deal.
Whenever I read complaints about a place...the quality of food is always mentioned...so I think a lot of people tip based on that, not the actual service.
Dyzz Nov 20, 2009 at 3:52 pm
+1 votes
Unless i order something specific and it comes out wrong, and i dont mean pickles, i mean like "Philly cheesteak, medium, raw onions, peppers, mayo, oregano, tomatos, no lettuce, hots, and fries with cheese on the side" and it comes out completely not what i ordered, then its not the servers fault.
If she brings me a philly cheesteak burnt to a crisp, tons of lettuce, no tomatos, and fries with gravy. Thats the servers dumb ass fault for not checking her order before she/he brought it.
If she brings me a philly cheesteak burnt to a crisp, tons of lettuce, no tomatos, and fries with gravy. Thats the servers dumb ass fault for not checking her order before she/he brought it.
hereticaneue Nov 20, 2009 at 4:17 pm
+1 votes
Worker said
Why do people think the quality of food has anything to do with the gratuity. Chances are, your server did not cook your food. The restaurant isn't getting that money. It goes to the server for their service. If your service is acceptable and the food is terrible, complain about the bill, but pay the damn gratuity!
If the food comes out wrong, it very well is your server's responsibility to double check it before they bring it out to you. And I'm sure that at least half of the time, the order comes out wrong because the server either didn't write it out correctly or brought out the wrong plate. Either way, the food is still a part of the equation, as far as I'm concerned.
BoSox Nov 20, 2009 at 11:18 am
+4 votes
Any place I've ever worked the customer has the right to refuse the automatic gratuity. That being said it's there to protect the server from cheap *****. On bills that high people will toss down a $20 dollar tip, on a $200 bill, thinking that's still plenty for one table. It's not.
Then there is the rule of the complaining customer. They double or triple their complaints to get free stuff or a reaction. Had to wait 30min for that well done steak? They'll tell you it took an hour. Spent 8 min. with an empty coke after sucking down your third one in 30sec? OMG I didn't have a drink for 25 min!!!
Bad service should not be rewarded. But cheapskates, and dbags are the reason those gratuities exist.
Then there is the rule of the complaining customer. They double or triple their complaints to get free stuff or a reaction. Had to wait 30min for that well done steak? They'll tell you it took an hour. Spent 8 min. with an empty coke after sucking down your third one in 30sec? OMG I didn't have a drink for 25 min!!!
Bad service should not be rewarded. But cheapskates, and dbags are the reason those gratuities exist.
Bearing Nov 20, 2009 at 11:25 am
+2 votes
You think RNG is bad in video games?
It's clear that most of you never waited tables. If you think that it usually works out that waiters generally get tipped according to their performance and that waiting tables is some kind of meritocracy that always rewards skill, then I would have to say, from anecdotal evidence that comes from working in a restaurant for four years, that you are wrong. All too often, tips seem to be merely the product of an RNG.
To the person whining about service on Father's Day:
I am not sure what kind of place you went to, but, for most sit down places that are not really nice, did you really expect great service on what has traditionally been one of the busiest days of the year for some restaurants? If they're going to make 20,000 that day, do you really expect the manager to care about the $60 or w/e you paid? Next year, go someplace nicer that is more concerned with quality service than packing the house.
To the people whining in general about mandatory gratuity:
Waiting on tables and not getting tipped is also bull****. Depending on the overall quality of your clientele, you can get really screwed by repeated groups that don't tip.
A little bit of trivia is that people used to tip beforehand. In fact, TIPS was an acronym: To Insure Prompt Service. Over the years, of course, people have lost sight of conventions, and even the idea of tipping as it used to be is something of a relic of an older culture.
That is, theoretically there used to be an unwritten understanding between service and patron. The waiter would do whatever he could, and the patron would tip him accordingly. In the current "diverse" climate, however, there exists virtually no understanding. People from all different cultures and economic classes go to all kinds of restaurants with very different traditions and expectations.
Mandatory gratuity is just a reaction to the modern culture that has produced so many people that do not tip even when the service is good, and it is a way for employers to make sure that their waiters are not getting screwed too badly (because then they would quit) without actually shelling out the money themselves to pay waiters a decent wage.
To prevent waiters for being so reliant on tips/RNG, a decent fix would be to actually pay waiters a decent wage and then fire the ones who don't perform well.
It's clear that most of you never waited tables. If you think that it usually works out that waiters generally get tipped according to their performance and that waiting tables is some kind of meritocracy that always rewards skill, then I would have to say, from anecdotal evidence that comes from working in a restaurant for four years, that you are wrong. All too often, tips seem to be merely the product of an RNG.
To the person whining about service on Father's Day:
I am not sure what kind of place you went to, but, for most sit down places that are not really nice, did you really expect great service on what has traditionally been one of the busiest days of the year for some restaurants? If they're going to make 20,000 that day, do you really expect the manager to care about the $60 or w/e you paid? Next year, go someplace nicer that is more concerned with quality service than packing the house.
To the people whining in general about mandatory gratuity:
Waiting on tables and not getting tipped is also bull****. Depending on the overall quality of your clientele, you can get really screwed by repeated groups that don't tip.
A little bit of trivia is that people used to tip beforehand. In fact, TIPS was an acronym: To Insure Prompt Service. Over the years, of course, people have lost sight of conventions, and even the idea of tipping as it used to be is something of a relic of an older culture.
That is, theoretically there used to be an unwritten understanding between service and patron. The waiter would do whatever he could, and the patron would tip him accordingly. In the current "diverse" climate, however, there exists virtually no understanding. People from all different cultures and economic classes go to all kinds of restaurants with very different traditions and expectations.
Mandatory gratuity is just a reaction to the modern culture that has produced so many people that do not tip even when the service is good, and it is a way for employers to make sure that their waiters are not getting screwed too badly (because then they would quit) without actually shelling out the money themselves to pay waiters a decent wage.
To prevent waiters for being so reliant on tips/RNG, a decent fix would be to actually pay waiters a decent wage and then fire the ones who don't perform well.
BlackivyNZ Nov 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
+2 votes
Haha... The RNG aspect of it is something that I thought about all the time when I was a waiter... +1
BoSox Nov 20, 2009 at 11:50 am
+3 votes
To anyone suggesting that servers should be paid a normal wage instead of tips. As a former server myself I would have loved to just be payed the $25 dollars an hour I made waiting tables. The question is, would you be willing to put up with the 20% hike in menu price to cover the wages? I doubt it.
Evelath Nov 20, 2009 at 11:59 am
+0 votes
Server, Waiters, basically anyone who doesn't need even a HS degree to work, should be paid minimum wage to do their job. Raises should be based on performance, and not some assumption that your job is so difficult that you MUST have those tips to survive.
$25/hour is ridiculous.
There are assloads of other food industries that do the SAME THING as a sit-down restaurant, but simply aren't considered sit-down restaurants. The same measures are taken:
* Ensure the Guest is greeted properly.
* Make suggestions to the customers for items to purchase.
* Ensure the customer gets all the product they desire.
* Check on the customer to see if there is anything else that the business can do for them.
* Clean their tables after they leave.
Regardless of their party size, there is no BS "Mandatory Gratuity Fee"
$25/hour is ridiculous.
There are assloads of other food industries that do the SAME THING as a sit-down restaurant, but simply aren't considered sit-down restaurants. The same measures are taken:
* Ensure the Guest is greeted properly.
* Make suggestions to the customers for items to purchase.
* Ensure the customer gets all the product they desire.
* Check on the customer to see if there is anything else that the business can do for them.
* Clean their tables after they leave.
Regardless of their party size, there is no BS "Mandatory Gratuity Fee"
BoSox Nov 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm
+3 votes
Eve, you don't just walk into an Applebee's and start pulling down $25 an hour. That's from years of experience and working your way up to the fine dining level. You talk about raises based on performance? Waiting tables is the ultimate pay based on performance profession.
I might also add that a good server works much harder doing something there is very little pride to be had in then many well paying jobs. The fact that I eventually got my degree and took a pay cut just to get out of that business says a lot about what it's like doing that for a living. Frankly it's degrading.
On a side note, you sound like a cheap prick and frankly it's sad that you think you have the right to decide what someone should be paid just to get out of tipping. You're also dumb if you think you'll ever get out of tipping simply by paying servers a base wage. That wage would be reflected in the cost of the food by at least a 15% hike and probably closer to 20%. businesses can't simply take on that extra cost without passing it on to the customer.
I might also add that a good server works much harder doing something there is very little pride to be had in then many well paying jobs. The fact that I eventually got my degree and took a pay cut just to get out of that business says a lot about what it's like doing that for a living. Frankly it's degrading.
On a side note, you sound like a cheap prick and frankly it's sad that you think you have the right to decide what someone should be paid just to get out of tipping. You're also dumb if you think you'll ever get out of tipping simply by paying servers a base wage. That wage would be reflected in the cost of the food by at least a 15% hike and probably closer to 20%. businesses can't simply take on that extra cost without passing it on to the customer.
Evelath Nov 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm
-2 votes
1) Ok; thats what I thought. In all honesty it sounded as if people simply walk into a restaurant, wait a few months and start getting large amount of pay around that mark. If it's after years of waiting/serving thats fine.
2) As are many other areas of the food industry.
3) Cheap Prick? Wow. Not in the slightest. I'll pay my employees exactly what they are WORTH. Also, if there was some brainpower used in the understanding of my initial statement, it would easily be discovered that I was comparing the base pay at a typical food establishment where they do EXACTLY THE SAME WORK if ran correctly as a waiter does at any Applebees.
2) As are many other areas of the food industry.
3) Cheap Prick? Wow. Not in the slightest. I'll pay my employees exactly what they are WORTH. Also, if there was some brainpower used in the understanding of my initial statement, it would easily be discovered that I was comparing the base pay at a typical food establishment where they do EXACTLY THE SAME WORK if ran correctly as a waiter does at any Applebees.
BlackivyNZ Nov 20, 2009 at 12:54 pm
+3 votes
"Waiting tables is the ultimate pay based on performance profession."
I call BS on this. Sure, there are little things you can do that will set you apart from other waiters. But most of the time it's RNG. You get paid more for having served someone who is prone to shelling out a few more bucks because they feel appreciated. Many people can't even recognize good service when they see it, and like you said, act w/ a ridiculous sense of entitlement.
As for shifting the cost, it's only difficult to do because tipping is an established custom. It doesn't refute the overall argument that it's an inefficient, often unjust method of paying the servers, and it should be changed.
I don't know how taxing works exactly, but I'm sure waiters don't pay much taxes because they under report the **** out of the money earned in tips, too. A tax loophole, thanks to tipping!
I call BS on this. Sure, there are little things you can do that will set you apart from other waiters. But most of the time it's RNG. You get paid more for having served someone who is prone to shelling out a few more bucks because they feel appreciated. Many people can't even recognize good service when they see it, and like you said, act w/ a ridiculous sense of entitlement.
As for shifting the cost, it's only difficult to do because tipping is an established custom. It doesn't refute the overall argument that it's an inefficient, often unjust method of paying the servers, and it should be changed.
I don't know how taxing works exactly, but I'm sure waiters don't pay much taxes because they under report the **** out of the money earned in tips, too. A tax loophole, thanks to tipping!
BoSox Nov 20, 2009 at 2:42 pm
+2 votes
Generally when you walk up to a table that person already has a RANGE of what they will tip. Good servers will get the top end of that range. On any given night it can be a crap shoot, but over the course of a week/month/year it's generally going to average out for each server. Now lets say the good server averages 10 tables a shift and tends to pull in an extra three dollars a table by hitting the top of that range. That's 30 extra bucks a night, 150 extra bucks a week and over $7000 more earned that year. It's big and those numbers are modest. So you can call BS all you want, I'll argue with experience and numbers.
As for your point on shifting the cost. If tipping wasn't the established custom, the increased prices would be the established norm. The restaurant business is hard and profit margins tight. You simply cannot just boost cost without boosting prices. Doesn't matter if it's now or was established before tipping.
As for taxes. If you don't claim a certain amount you will get fired. That being said the mandatory amount to claim is low unless you are a terrible server. The catch is, if you claim that little it's reflected as that little income anytime you apply for a loan or any line of credit. So smart servers just claim their tips anyways. Sure there's a loophole there, but only the short sighted would take advantage of it.
As for your point on shifting the cost. If tipping wasn't the established custom, the increased prices would be the established norm. The restaurant business is hard and profit margins tight. You simply cannot just boost cost without boosting prices. Doesn't matter if it's now or was established before tipping.
As for taxes. If you don't claim a certain amount you will get fired. That being said the mandatory amount to claim is low unless you are a terrible server. The catch is, if you claim that little it's reflected as that little income anytime you apply for a loan or any line of credit. So smart servers just claim their tips anyways. Sure there's a loophole there, but only the short sighted would take advantage of it.
Redemptions Nov 20, 2009 at 1:11 pm
+2 votes
Evelath said
Server, Waiters, basically anyone who doesn't need even a HS degree to work, should be paid minimum wage to do their job. Raises should be based on performance, and not some assumption that your job is so difficult that you MUST have those tips to survive.
$25/hour is ridiculous.
There are assloads of other food industries that do the SAME THING as a sit-down restaurant, but simply aren't considered sit-down restaurants. The same measures are taken:
* Ensure the Guest is greeted properly.
* Make suggestions to the customers for items to purchase.
* Ensure the customer gets all the product they desire.
* Check on the customer to see if there is anything else that the business can do for them.
* Clean their tables after they leave.
Regardless of their party size, there is no BS "Mandatory Gratuity Fee"
$25/hour is ridiculous.
There are assloads of other food industries that do the SAME THING as a sit-down restaurant, but simply aren't considered sit-down restaurants. The same measures are taken:
* Ensure the Guest is greeted properly.
* Make suggestions to the customers for items to purchase.
* Ensure the customer gets all the product they desire.
* Check on the customer to see if there is anything else that the business can do for them.
* Clean their tables after they leave.
Regardless of their party size, there is no BS "Mandatory Gratuity Fee"
what assload of food industries are sit down, but not sit down?
Panera?
Just wanted to know what you had in mind
Blackivy
you'll find that most of the bigger chains automatically claim your credit card tips, and if that doesn't add up to 16% or more of your total sales for the day, will claim up to that.
So say you have people that don't come in and leave you at least 16% on average for the day, you'll pay taxes on money you didn't even earn.
Eriaa Nov 20, 2009 at 3:29 pm
+1 votes
You should claim 100% by law, and I have seen people get audited before. Most places will track your credit card tips, because it's there in writing and you can't do anything about it. A place I used to work at would take your credit card sales, subtract from your total sales, then take your CC tips, subtract from total tips claims, to get your percentage of tips from cash sales. Out of 35 servers, only 2 of us were claiming cash tips over 10%, the rest were around 1-2%. So when those people got audited, they had a real hard time explaining to the IRS that they gave better service to people who paid with credit cards.
The chances of getting audited are pretty slim, so it's best to use your best judgment. But I thought it was interesting when the broke it down like that for us.
The chances of getting audited are pretty slim, so it's best to use your best judgment. But I thought it was interesting when the broke it down like that for us.
hereticaneue Nov 20, 2009 at 4:22 pm
+1 votes
Yep. I know a girl who was a waitress for years and she is now paying back taxes because she wasn't claiming her tips as part of her income or whatever.
Evelath Nov 21, 2009 at 2:34 am
+0 votes
Redemptions said
Eve:
what assload of food industries are sit down, but not sit down?
Panera?
Just wanted to know what you had in mind
Blackivy
you'll find that most of the bigger chains automatically claim your credit card tips, and if that doesn't add up to 16% or more of your total sales for the day, will claim up to that.
So say you have people that don't come in and leave you at least 16% on average for the day, you'll pay taxes on money you didn't even earn.
what assload of food industries are sit down, but not sit down?
Panera?
Just wanted to know what you had in mind
Blackivy
you'll find that most of the bigger chains automatically claim your credit card tips, and if that doesn't add up to 16% or more of your total sales for the day, will claim up to that.
So say you have people that don't come in and leave you at least 16% on average for the day, you'll pay taxes on money you didn't even earn.
* Ice Cream Shops
&
* Above Average Fast Food
Now, as I said, tons of these places are terrible when it comes to service (but so are sit-down restaurants). I am not even going to begin to attempt to argue that fact. However, there are those rare places that give OUTSTANDING service (likely better than than some restaurants), and do not require, or even expect any kind of gratuity for the work they do.
The steps are the same:
* Greet Customer
* Inform customers of specials
* Take customer's order
* Check on Customer to ensure everything was made correctly and tastes good
* Answer any post-dining questions
* Give a farewell to the customers, bus their table, etc.
Redemptions Nov 21, 2009 at 4:11 am
+1 votes
Evelath said
I'm very stern in my belief that almost every food-business should act as if it is a "dine-in restaurant" no matter how they make/serve their food. Although, admittedly, these outlooks on food-service businesses are rare, there is no required fee for any large-scale party. Off the top of my head, the following places would fall under that idea:
* Ice Cream Shops
&
* Above Average Fast Food
Now, as I said, tons of these places are terrible when it comes to service (but so are sit-down restaurants). I am not even going to begin to attempt to argue that fact. However, there are those rare places that give OUTSTANDING service (likely better than than some restaurants), and do not require, or even expect any kind of gratuity for the work they do.
The steps are the same:
* Greet Customer
* Inform customers of specials
* Take customer's order
* Check on Customer to ensure everything was made correctly and tastes good
* Answer any post-dining questions
* Give a farewell to the customers, bus their table, etc.
* Ice Cream Shops
&
* Above Average Fast Food
Now, as I said, tons of these places are terrible when it comes to service (but so are sit-down restaurants). I am not even going to begin to attempt to argue that fact. However, there are those rare places that give OUTSTANDING service (likely better than than some restaurants), and do not require, or even expect any kind of gratuity for the work they do.
The steps are the same:
* Greet Customer
* Inform customers of specials
* Take customer's order
* Check on Customer to ensure everything was made correctly and tastes good
* Answer any post-dining questions
* Give a farewell to the customers, bus their table, etc.
You're just making some over arching generalities coming from someone who owns a business and it comes off as elitist and snobbish, even if you're not trying to express it in that tone.
I agree that if you work in the food industry (and realize please that are is a large, LARGE, variance on the levels of professionalism and expectation between the bottom and the top) that there are the BASIC steps of service which you outline, but don't you also have a difference in expectation if you visit say, a Cold Stone vs. a 5star rest or upscale bar?
notepad.exe Nov 20, 2009 at 7:08 pm
+1 votes
I dunno, it's not like food in every other country in the world is way overpriced..
2 |
GameRiot's source for gaming news on the PC, console and portable front. Home of the Epic Drop!
214 Subscribers
68 Likes: 21 March 19, 2010, 7:21 pm59 Likes: 24 March 18, 2010, 10:22 pm17 Likes: 18 March 18, 2010, 5:48 am43 Likes: 21 March 17, 2010, 10:46 pm49 Likes: 23 March 17, 2010, 6:22 am30 Likes: 25 March 16, 2010, 10:11 pm37 Likes: 24 March 13, 2010, 6:36 am42 Likes: 23 March 11, 2010, 8:15 pm80 Likes: 25 March 10, 2010, 11:18 pm42 Likes: 19 March 10, 2010, 3:06 pmStarted December 20, 2007
2112 Total Entries
2112 Total Entries
Your Comment is being posted. Please wait...