[justjim]

Originally Posted by It’s..us

This is not correct. Right next door in Canada, wait staff are paid $15 an hour at minimum and eating out was more often than not less than here. BTW, most still give 15% tip to them but it is a tip in the true sense....bad service, no tip.

I don’t believe Carl’s post had anything to say about Canada. His post was spot on IMHO. It’s been many moons since I have eaten in a Canadian restaurant but wonder is the overall dining experence significantly higher with all things being about equal?

[justjim]

Originally Posted by It’s..us

This is not correct. Right next door in Canada, wait staff are paid $15 an hour at minimum and eating out was more often than not less than here. BTW, most still give 15% tip to them but it is a tip in the true sense....bad service, no tip.

My apologies, after revisiting your post I see you already answered my question about prices for eating out in Canada - - more often less even with a 15.00 wage.

[CWGUY]

You know what they say..... "What's the difference between a Canadian and a canoe? You can get a canoe to tip!"

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by It’s..us

This is not correct. Right next door in Canada, wait staff are paid $15 an hour at minimum and eating out was more often than not less than here. BTW, most still give 15% tip to them but it is a tip in the true sense....bad service, no tip.

Well that explains a lot! I enjoy HGTV and the show Property Brothers used to have a lot of properties on their show from Canada. They were most always doubles or homes from the thirties that were about 12' wide and they started at 400K. I always wondered why real estate was so expensive in Canada. Now I have a clue....They raised the minimum wage!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

I have a different view, based in part on having eaten in some of the finest and most expensive restaurants in New Orleans' French Quarter, and in Cajun BBQ shacks out in the Bayous.

In the restaurants in the Quarter, you have real silverware and crystal on white tablecloths with subdued lighting and candles on the tables. You are attended by multiple service staff attending to everything from keeping your water glass filled to using an electrostatic comb to clean up the flakes of French Bread that fall on the tablecloth when you break the bread. The service staff is impeccably attired, varying according to their duties, and they speak softly and politely. There is a quite, peaceful ambiance.

The meal comes in courses, which are spaced out to provide a comfortable pace for eating, and you are never rushed into ending one course to begin the next. This encourages relaxed conversation among the diners and a general feeling of contentment. By the time you finish your after dinner coffee or drink, you may find that two hours have passed.

In contrast, at the Cajun BBQ shack you are seated at large wooden outdoor-style picnic tables, your order is taken, and the entire order comes to your table at once. You tend to eat quickly, and if you linger too long, your server will start clearing away your plates, bring your check, and stand at your elbow waiting for you to pay. You are expected to finish up in 30 to 40 minutes.

NOW, if you occupy a table at the expensive restaurant for an extended period of time, you are depriving the server(s) of an opportunity to get another diner at that table, and another tip. How terribly thoughtless of you!

The solution is not to "gobble and get" as you would in the Cajun shack, but rather to pay a larger tip for the extended use of the table. Think of it as a fee that you are paying for the additional amenities that enhance the ambiance of the dinner.

I agree with this.

As for another of your observations from a different post--that of restaurant servers in Europe being stratified--I have to disagree on two points: one is that they actually do have movement in their professions--seniority, head waiter, maitre d', sommelier if they go after the education and experience for it--and two is that it is a very well-respected profession in Europe.

Also, as an anecdote... a waiter at our favorite resto in Montepulciano, Italy, left to take a marketing position with a winery in the area due to his extensive experience he gained serving the wines in this restaurant. He was so cute too. Dang.

[Djreti]

I definitely am not among the wealthy in TV. I worked retail not as a server to get through school. I just wanted to say that if you are receiving food or drink and it is 2 for 1 I believe you should double that amount and then tip. The server is bringing more food and drink and deserves to be tipped appropriately. My husband knows the rule, if you can't afford to tip you can't afford to eat out so stay home. Many servers are putting themselves through school and may also be raising children. In addition they sometimes must share tips. To explain if you go to Codys and get the 2 for 1 fajitas you should tip on $26 not the $13 for one. What $1.00 means to you may make a huge difference for the server. If we want good service treat them correctly. Btw I always tip 20% after doubling the amount too. I know many others here also feel this way!

[Nucky]

We have noticed that a compliment on something to a waiter or waitress before we begin interacting usually brings great result's. At our age aren't we supposed to be doing the right thing? Who am I to tell anyone who is as tight as a crabs butt what to do with their money? I would say let your conscience be your guide. If you don't have the money to tip then probably eating at home would be best. I always think about the server as if they had a couple of kids at home and have financial responsibilities that we all have and they are not doing the job to stay busy. Imagine the person to be someone from your family. We start at 20% and sometimes more but never ever less.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Nucky

...I always think about the server as if they had a couple of kids at home and have financial responsibilities that we all have and they are not doing the job to stay busy. Imagine the person to be someone from your family. We start at 20% and sometimes more but never ever less.

I like your attitude about waiters and waitresses.

But I can’t say I understand why you would tip 20% for truly poor service...at least if the poor service can be directly attributed to your waiter or waitress and not the establishment.

[Sparky25]

We tip on service but that being said it was a 15% tip when the servers were not making the min. wage---BUT NOW ????

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I like your attitude about waiters and waitresses.

But I can’t say I understand why you would tip 20% for truly poor service...at least if the poor service can be directly attributed to your waiter or waitress and not the establishment.

For us and us only, we have truly made great strides in giving up the battles we used to think about and be concerned over. We truly haven't gotten caught up in the bad service thing. We have gotten a few poor meals but I don't bury the establishment the way others do. My shift of being on watch has ended, I'm trying to be happy and healthy and live as long as possible. That's the whole reason we moved here. I'm trying to lose the Jersey Edge, but it still shows up sometimes, I'm still under construction.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Nucky

For us and us only, we have truly made great strides in giving up the battles we used to think about and be concerned over. We truly haven't gotten caught up in the bad service thing. We have gotten a few poor meals but I don't bury the establishment the way others do. My shift of being on watch has ended, I'm trying to be happy and healthy and live as long as possible. That's the whole reason we moved here. I'm trying to lose the Jersey Edge, but it still shows up sometimes, I'm still under construction.

I really like your answer, Nucky. Be well and be happy. Now's the time.

Oh, and get a dog. :-)

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by Nucky

For us and us only, we have truly made great strides in giving up the battles we used to think about and be concerned over. We truly haven't gotten caught up in the bad service thing. We have gotten a few poor meals but I don't bury the establishment the way others do. My shift of being on watch has ended, I'm trying to be happy and healthy and live as long as possible. That's the whole reason we moved here. I'm trying to lose the Jersey Edge, but it still shows up sometimes, I'm still under construction. ...

I'm with you, Nucky.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Nucky

For us and us only, we have truly made great strides in giving up the battles we used to think about and be concerned over. We truly haven't gotten caught up in the bad service thing. We have gotten a few poor meals but I don't bury the establishment the way others do. My shift of being on watch has ended, I'm trying to be happy and healthy and live as long as possible. That's the whole reason we moved here. I'm trying to lose the Jersey Edge, but it still shows up sometimes, I'm still under construction.

I totally agree, Nucky. I don’t...and never did...fret a moment for poor service. But I also don’t tip 20% for it.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Nucky

We have noticed that a compliment on something to a waiter or waitress before we begin interacting usually brings great result's. At our age aren't we supposed to be doing the right thing? Who am I to tell anyone who is as tight as a crabs butt what to do with their money? I would say let your conscience be your guide. If you don't have the money to tip then probably eating at home would be best. I always think about the server as if they had a couple of kids at home and have financial responsibilities that we all have and they are not doing the job to stay busy. Imagine the person to be someone from your family. We start at 20% and sometimes more but never ever less.

Agree . We always acknowledge and engage wait staff when seated. It does go a long way in the way we are treated and served.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Nucky

For us and us only, we have truly made great strides in giving up the battles we used to think about and be concerned over. We truly haven't gotten caught up in the bad service thing. We have gotten a few poor meals but I don't bury the establishment the way others do. My shift of being on watch has ended, I'm trying to be happy and healthy and live as long as possible. That's the whole reason we moved here. I'm trying to lose the Jersey Edge, but it still shows up sometimes, I'm still under construction.

thank-you for your post---you're a role model