Comments on: The Other Side of the Table
By kalispelling bee on 03-21-10
I really enjoy these columns.
By Firebeam on 03-21-10
I really enjoy these coumns too—-if I ight add my perspective:
First off, I’ve never displayed any of the behaviors listed in your column (unless you consider a request for a little extra sauce or to hold the meat (my wife is vegetarian) to be a “Whim”. But I’ve certainly seen the type you describe in some or all of the heinounsness’ you describe. Some I would love to escort out of the restaurant on the end of an (unknown to the offender, but unloaded of course) double-barrel shotgun!
As for tipping, it appears that 20+% has become expected, no matter the level of service and I disagree. I beleive 20% is for above-average service—-I’ve been known to go 22-24% if I felt treated like family (nice family, that is), But “typical” service just doesn’t merit 20% in my book—I reserve it for someone who shows a little extra effort, attention or perception.
Just taking an order, delivering that order and maybe a water or cofee refill, and maybe a re-visit to see if the food is to your liking, constitutes “typical”.
Above average includes saying “thank you” instead of “No problem”; noticing that the coffee creamer and/or my coffe cup is nearing empty; bringing the pepper-grinder when serving the salad; fresh napkins and silver with dessert…you get the idea.
And if otherwise above-average service was rendered, the quickest way to drop the 20% to 15% is to place the bill on the table without a “thank you”, “will there be anything else?” of just no words at all——and it happens way too often.
Many restraunteurs fail to provide adequate intial and ongoing training to waitstaff on the kind of service that keeps people returning. Further, many will expect one waiter to handle 25 tables by temselves and in that case the poor service is the owner’s fault not the waitperson. What a shame.
By Vud on 03-21-10
I second that second. It’s always an interesting to take a peek behind the curtain of another’s profession.
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.