[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Get a job? That's you answer. I've had jobs, thank you very much. Never got tips. Now on the doorstep of 80 with impairments I can't do much of anything. But I can see how leaving the small change on the counter has morphed into a pity ploy that is continuously growing like the blob. Once a few coins became a buck. Then, somewhere, somehow it became a small percentage. 5% was generous, but 10% was "easier to figure". (I wonder who suggested that). It had already become "all about the service"? The service? Really? A cup of coffee, tell the cook what to prepare, bring it to me after it's been sitting under the warming lamp for a while, maybe refill my cup once, give me the bill. It ain't rocket science. And now the pre-suggested /calculated for your convenience, amounts for basic servic has, in some establishments are 20%, 25%, 30%. In what universe is it twice as difficult to move a late of filet mignon from the kitchen shelf to my table than a hamburger steak. Why should my food preference cost twice as much fo the same service effort. Scam! Rip off! Everybody knows it, but argues against the reality because we don't want to acknowledge that we are the suckers the restaurants know we are.

They can calculate whatever they want. They can recommend a 100% tip if they want. I'll still leave 15, 18, or 20% depending on the service received, or 0 and a talk with the manager if the service was particularly bad.

There's nothing forcing you to pay 30% tip. In fact there's nothing forcing you to pay any tip, UNLESS you have a large party where you're told, in advance, that a minimum tip is included in the total price at the end of the meal.

You don't have to pay a tip if you don't want to. But in the USA, tipping wait staff is accepted as a cultural expectation. It's the American thing to do. You want to be a patriot? Then tip your wait staff. You still don't HAVE to tip them. And if you do tip them, you can tip however much or little you want.

It doesn't even matter WHY tipping is the accepted thing to do here in the USA. Because they don't get paid minimum wage? Okay. Because you want to give them a bonus for really excellent service over and above whatever they DO get paid? Also Okay. Because you want to show off how rich you are? Equally Okay. Because you want to prove to your dinner date that you're not heartless? Absolutely Okay. Because it's Tuesday and you always tip on Tuesdays? Sure, Okay. Pick a reason. It doesn't matter.

I've posted countless times already what *I* do. We get it. You're against tipping. So don't tip. Or don't go to restaurants in the USA where tipping the server is a routine and culturally correct thing to do.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

My whole point is really about wait service "requirements". In any given restaurant what would basic "C" grade service (what you are already paying the restaurant to provide so that you can enjoy the meal they provide?
What extra can the server do, over and above, to elevate your dining experience to a "B" grade, deserving of a commendation/tip?
What could you imagine a server , given there position in restaurant hierarchy, possibly do to warrant the waitstaff equivalent of a medal of excellence for "exemplary" service over and above the call of duty?
Spilled soup in your lap = D. Apologized = D+
What deserves an "F" ? We won't go there, but I won't be back.

Very interesting point.

Let's assume you get your way and tipping is done away with. The restaurant raises prices to what is required to pay their servers and you know from the start what you will walk out spending. Let's say the food is great and the service is exceptional and you're happy to pay $120 for the two of you. Excellent, a win for the customer.

Okay, let's say the food is still good but the service is terrible. You wait ten minutes for your beverage and to order your meal and when it comes out it doesn't have the sides you ordered. Are you still happy to pay $120 for the two of you and consider it a win?

The way things are today, with tipping, you have options. The price on the menu would be at least 20% less (maybe more but let's keep things simple). If the service is great you can show your consideration with a 20% tip and walk out of there happy to be paying that same $120. However, if the service is poor then you can withhold part or all of that compensation and walk out paying less. You have options.

In both cases, if the food was bad you could send it back and perhaps walk out without paying anything at all. If you eat it you bought it but you can choose not to eat it. The service is a different story; it isn't likely that you could get to the end of the meal then complain about bad service and receive a discount. By the time the meal was over you have received/consumed/utilized the service but since there is no separate charge for service there is no separate amount to reduce. You wanted a set price for the meal, you ate the meal, now you pay that price whether the service was excellent or terrible.

So what are the elements of the service that warrant a 10%, 15%, or 20% tip? Today, we get to decide that for ourselves. If tipping is done away with, then the question is moot since the employee will be paid the maximum amount regardless of the quality of service he provides. Thinking about it that way, I'm a little more pro-tipping.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Velvet

What does a passing level of service person do? Not call you, “Hon” or other terms of familiarity and show a level of good manners in general. Their hands etc are clean and their appearance is not frightening. (White gloves, as in the past, are not expected.) They can remember your order and check once during the meal if it is ok. They can pay attention to your table so when you signal they notice and come as soon as they can. If the owners gives them an unreasonable number of tables to look after because of a special situation, they can mention it, so you have more patience with the service.
Superior service is when they remember what you like and offer a welcoming smile. Or they do something above and beyond from what is generally done.

Although I am not fond of familiarizing of a personal nature from people I don't know, like "Hon", "Sweetie", "Hair-lip", or "Babe", I assume the establishment would expect those that represent them to be polite. No more, no less.
Hands clean is a basic health/food safety requirement. No points for that. As for appearance not frightening, safe, clean and covered. Faces don't frightening me. But some of the tattoos I have seen were pretty off-putting I have to admit.
Remembering what you ordered? If it isn't written down, this is on the server. No points for remembering, but a chance of losing points if they bring me someone else's food. Oh, yeah. If my meal was delivered to and placed before the wrong person, don't bring it to me. You would be re-serving food already delivered to someone else. Like assuming those leftover fries can be reserved with the next burgers
Checking once after you have a chance to sample your food should be required as much for the restaurant as for customer satisfaction. You wouldn't want your customer sitting there with blody undercooked chicken or a half frozen halibut where everyone can see or smell it. Again, no points for basic requirements.
I am understanding if some accident happens. I am forgiving if the server is not at fault, or even if they are as long as there was no malice. But that doesn’t mean I think the customer is obligated to pay for the damage or inconvenience.
"Superior service is when they remember what you like (I've never met them before) nd offer you a welcoming smile". That is just a natural greeting! I do it all the time! Pay me!
"Or they do somethingabove and beyond what is generally done". Like what? Seriously!? A pedicure while I'm eating. Wash my car? What service "above and beyond". Realistically, I can't think of anything that doesn’t sound silly.
We'll still go out to eat. We still will tip as long as it is the custom. And, I will continue to point it out for the nonsense that it truly is.
Pardon me. I'm taking my wife to dinner. 20% tip included. 🫤

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Although I am not fond of familiarizing of a personal nature from people I don't know, like "Hon", "Sweetie", "Hair-lip", or "Babe", I assume the establishment would expect those that represent them to be polite. No more, no less.
Hands clean is a basic health/food safety requirement. No points for that. As for appearance not frightening, safe, clean and covered. Faces don't frightening me. But some of the tattoos I have seen were pretty off-putting I have to admit.
Remembering what you ordered? If it isn't written down, this is on the server. No points for remembering, but a chance of losing points if they bring me someone else's food. Oh, yeah. If my meal was delivered to and placed before the wrong person, don't bring it to me. You would be re-serving food already delivered to someone else. Like assuming those leftover fries can be reserved with the next burgers
Checking once after you have a chance to sample your food should be required as much for the restaurant as for customer satisfaction. You wouldn't want your customer sitting there with blody undercooked chicken or a half frozen halibut where everyone can see or smell it. Again, no points for basic requirements.
I am understanding if some accident happens. I am forgiving if the server is not at fault, or even if they are as long as there was no malice. But that doesn’t mean I think the customer is obligated to pay for the damage or inconvenience.
"Superior service is when they remember what you like (I've never met them before) nd offer you a welcoming smile". That is just a natural greeting! I do it all the time! Pay me!
"Or they do somethingabove and beyond what is generally done". Like what? Seriously!? A pedicure while I'm eating. Wash my car? What service "above and beyond". Realistically, I can't think of anything that doesn’t sound silly.
We'll still go out to eat. We still will tip as long as it is the custom. And, I will continue to point it out for the nonsense that it truly is.
Pardon me. I'm taking my wife to dinner. 20% tip included. 🫤

One time we scraped a rental car pulling into valet parking. While we were in the restaurant, the valet guys buffed the scrape out. Now that's "above and beyond." Big tip.

[Velvet]

Difference between a 3 star service and a 5 star service. When I visit my gf in a five star condo, the valet is there to take my car immediately. Greets me with a smile and my name (I am only a visitor) and gets the elevator door for me.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Difference between a 3 star service and a 5 star service. When I visit my gf in a five star condo, the valet is there to take my car immediately. Greets me with a smile and my name (I am only a visitor) and gets the elevator door for me.

When I visit my gf in four star condo, the valet is there to take my car immediately. Greets me by name, smile and a wink (I'm only visiting). I go into the lobby while he calls my wife. Maybe I should have tipped him.?.

[Rainger99]

I just checked the Villages website.

There is a position for a
GOLF SHOP SALES ASSOCIATE at TIERRA DEL SOL. The pay is $14 an hour.

I think that gate attendants make less than that. That is not a hard job but you are constantly busy. Busier than most waiters.

But we don’t tip them.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by CFrance

One time we scraped a rental car pulling into valet parking. While we were in the restaurant, the valet guys buffed the scrape out. Now that's "above and beyond." Big tip.

Agree! The fact they had the equipment shows me you weren't the first. Definitely tip worthy and entrepreneurial that they found a niche market for that kind of service.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just checked the Villages website.

There is a position for a
GOLF SHOP SALES ASSOCIATE at TIERRA DEL SOL. The pay is $14 an hour.

I think that gate attendants make less than that. That is not a hard job but you are constantly busy. Busier than most waiters.

But we don’t tip them.

Minimum wage is $13/hour in Florida. Gate attendants work for Community Watch. Golf shop sales associates work for The Villages.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just checked the Villages website.

There is a position for a
GOLF SHOP SALES ASSOCIATE at TIERRA DEL SOL. The pay is $14 an hour.

I think that gate attendants make less than that. That is not a hard job but you are constantly busy. Busier than most waiters.

But we don’t tip them.

Let me be the first. Tip: keep your head down. 😉

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

When I visit my gf in four star condo, the valet is there to take my car immediately. Greets me by name, smile and a wink (I'm only visiting). I go into the lobby while he calls my wife. Maybe I should have tipped him.?.

The HOA fees for the 2 bedroom condo are over $3500.00 per month, the tips for valet are included.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just checked the Villages website.

There is a position for a
GOLF SHOP SALES ASSOCIATE at TIERRA DEL SOL. The pay is $14 an hour.

I think that gate attendants make less than that. That is not a hard job but you are constantly busy. Busier than most waiters.

But we don’t tip them.

Gate attendants no walking or physical activity unless one considers pushing a button or holding a sign. Zero stress because nobody is going to get out of their car to complain. Busy??…. depends on the gate and if they actually get up or just press the button never leaving their chair.

Gate attendants don’t have to clean up your mess, deal with some obnoxious clients, food/hot coffee spill, and more slip and falls than one can count from food dropped/thrown on the floor.

But some find people who wait on your every want and need, still a lower class of human.

The only gate keeper that has ever been in danger was in Ghost Busters

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Minimum wage is $13/hour in Florida. Gate attendants work for Community Watch. Golf shop sales associates work for The Villages.

So we don’t tip people that make $1 above minimum wage but we tip people who make minimum wage??

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Zero stress because nobody is going to get out of their car to complain.

If they make a mistake, someone could get hurt in a car/golfcart accident.

If a server makes a mistake, you get a steak medium instead of medium rare.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

If they make a mistake, someone could get hurt in a car/golfcart accident.

If a server makes a mistake, you get a steak medium instead of medium rare.

If you want to tip the gate attendants, feel free. If you want to tip your airline pilot, feel free. No one is stop you from spending your money.

Neither of those positions are filled with the understanding that they will receive tips. Also, neither of those positions involve close interaction with the customer. Server positions on the other hand,…