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Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 1:45:20 PM

tazzygirl

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Every job has its problems. But i have found that the service industry is the one that isnt "allowed" to complain. So i started this thread as a place to come and rant about your lastest asshole/moron/knucklehead we had to deal with.

Last night was a slow night. Father's Day is typically a man's BBQ heaven. So we knew we would be slow. Which was fine, except....

My first table came in around 530. I didnt get my next till almost 6, so i had lots of time to spend on just them, a father, his wife and their son. I approached the table and introduced myself. Asked if they preferred anything to drink, took that order, and left with a promise i would return very shortly.

After grabbing their sodas, i returned. They asked a few questions, wanting to know more about the various pan asian dishes and what could be converted to vegetarian. After obtaining their appetizer order, i once again left to place that into the system, gave them just a few moments to contemplate the suggestions i offered, then returned.

They immediately made their decision and apps were at the table within moments of the menus leaving their hands. They waited for nothing, refills were offered and declined.

Apps were cleared and entrees and sushi arrived. No complaints. The wife kept smiling when i passed. I stopped twice, once to ask if their food was properly prepared, the second to return with asked for chiracha sauce.

Clean up was immediate (as i said, i had no other table until 6, and then only a 2 top).

The bill... 55 dollars, approximately... the tip... 5 dollars.

I went to my manager and showed him the tip, asking him if he had heard anything from the family as they left, thinking my service has somehow offended them. He stated no, that they stated i was a terrific server. He also said that its typical of people from India.

This seems to be a trend among them. I hate saying that about any group, but its been my experience that no matter how good the quality of service you give, they tip 10% or less everytime.

Others there have told me they give less time to those tables. Not substandard service, just not as much attention.

Its just frustrating to know you did your best and thats all your best was worth!

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 2:21:51 PM

pahunkboy

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It sounds like a cultural thing.

Being that they did not take a refill- maybe they were concerned with the cost.
(even if refills are included)

The co-worker has good advice.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 2:55:09 PM

tazzygirl

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pa, the refills were soda. I cant think of a single restaurant (those a step above McDonalds that is) that doesnt give free refills on those. Cost was not the issue.

< Message edited by tazzygirl -- 6/21/2010 2:57:03 PM >

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Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt.
RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11
Duchess of Dissent 1
Dont judge me because I sin differently than you.
If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 3:00:10 PM

LaTigresse

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I have waited tables in the past.......no sense in getting upset over people with different ideas of what a 'good tip' is. You will have those like you've described and then you will have those that give a $20 for a $30.00 meal. Just keep giving your best and it will work itself out.

I remember many a cheap ass, but I also remember far more delightful customers that were appreciative and generous.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 3:01:35 PM

pahunkboy

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Its just frustrating to know you did your best and thats all your best was worth!/snip

We all have had times like that. It sucks. It tho likely was not "you". Hopefully next week is better.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 3:13:05 PM

tazzygirl

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Thank you LT. Your right of course. I just needed to rant a bit, as we all do when working in an industry that doesnt allow us to vocalize our disappointment or ask.. why.

And, your right, pa, others did make up for the difference. It is just frustrating.

_____________________________

Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt.
RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11
Duchess of Dissent 1
Dont judge me because I sin differently than you.
If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 3:51:10 PM

sirsholly

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for you Tazzy

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/category/bite/

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 3:52:11 PM

fluffypet61

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The most recent Travel & Leisure magazine had an article on tipping in restaurants in different countries. The US and Canada are the only ones with tips of 10-20%. Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are 5-10%. Asia, Africa, and the middle East are 10%. Some countries have an automatic 10% service charge and tipping on top of that is no more than 5%.

Maybe people from other countries are only aware of the tipping customs of their own countries.

As PA said, maybe it's cultural.

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RE: Service Industry Workers Rant! - 6/21/2010 4:06:49 PM

cadenas

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Definitely cultural. In most countries of the world (and in a few restaurants in the USA, too), the waiters are paid a regular salary by the restaurant, and the tip is intended to be no more than a token; in some countries it's even illegal to tip.

Growing up in Germany, the rule was that the advertised price must be the price you pay. It must (by law) include taxes as well as the service fee.

Tipping isn't explicitly illegal. If you were very delighted with the service, you'd round up the bill to the nearest Mark, at best to the nearest five marks or so. So the tip would usually be pennies, not dollars, but your income would come from the restaurant owner and be built into the food price.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl
The bill... 55 dollars, approximately... the tip... 5 dollars.

I went to my manager and showed him the tip, asking him if he had heard anything from the family as they left, thinking my service has somehow offended them. He stated no, that they stated i was a terrific server. He also said that its typical of people from India.

This seems to be a trend among them. I hate saying that about any group, but its been my experience that no matter how good the quality of service you give, they tip 10% or less everytime.

Others there have told me they give less time to those tables. Not substandard service, just not as much attention.

Its just frustrating to know you did your best and thats all your best was worth!

(in reply to tazzygirl)

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Post #: 9