travelgourmet

I find it difficult to understand a system that relies on a customer having to look at a menu with prices which bear only an uncertain relationship to what one will be expected to pay

There isn't anything uncertain. Take the menu cost and add tax and 15-20% tip. How is that uncertain?

kerouac

Do waiters in expensive restaurants work so much harder than waiters in cheap restaurants? If you are paying 200€ for a meal, does the waiter deserve 40€ as a tip?

Trophywife007

>>On the other hand, if you are back to discussing hotel maids, I'm actually with you on that. If I've never seen the maid and she has done nothing specific for me -- why would I leave a tip just because I think she's underpaid? The hotel is supposed to provide me with a clean room -- and that's her job. That's a world different from a waiter spending lots of extra time being personally helpful to me.

NeoPatrick

Does an expensive restaurant deserve double the price for the same wine as the bistro down the block? Everything is supposedly "worth" more in a more expensive place. Do you think waiters are paid the same salary in a cheap restaurant as they are in an expensive one? It's all relative.

TheFlyingScotsman

"Now, I have a colleague who spreads tips like she's mulching and fertilizing her garden. It's just what she does. To each his taste, as we're so fond of saying."

I only wish that more people would say this!

NeoPatrick

By the way, does a restaurant NOT charge the same percentage for service on a $400 bottle of wine that they charge on a $100 bottle of wine? Does it take more work and do they "deserve" more?

What was your point again?

travelgourmet

Do waiters in expensive restaurants work so much harder than waiters in cheap restaurants? If you are paying 200€ for a meal, does the waiter deserve 40€ as a tip?

1) I find waiters at truly good restaurants to be better, yes.
2) There are more people sharing in the tip at a high-end restaurant.
3) A waiter at a high-end place will likely see fewer covers.

More importantly, there is no "deserve", there is just the price. If you don't value the meal at that price, including the appropriate tip, then don't go to the high-end place. But bickering about prices is gauche.

Does an expensive restaurant deserve double the price for the same wine as the bistro down the block?

To be fair, the cost of capital tied up in a massive cellar is not inconsequential. If you want a restaurant to have verticals of Petrus - and there is a market for that - you have to pay for it.

TheFlyingScotsman

"What was your point again?"

Between you, me and everybody else, I don't think he has one.

vincenzo32951

chart: >> One observation I would make about American culture is that despite all the talk of freedom, there is actually a more slavish following of rules than one finds elsewhere.

NeoPatrick

>>>>>"Does an expensive restaurant deserve double the price for the same wine as the bistro down the block?

To be fair, the cost of capital tied up in a massive cellar is not inconsequential. If you want a restaurant to have verticals of Petrus - and there is a market for that - you have to pay for it."

limmy

Oh boy, I have to tell this story, a conversation I had recently with someone going to Europe for the first time in a few weeks.

The person was under the impression that *they* (the Europeans) would just love getting american dollars for tips. When I asked why on earth they would want american dollars, what would they do with them? The person referenced something about being in Tijuana (25+ years ago) and how service staff loved getting a few bucks in USD for tips.

I don't know if this person thought that the current value of the Euro was on par with the value of the Peso in 1989 or what. Really scratched my head at that one.

I set them straight, but this person is going to be an ugly american I'm afraid. But we can't all be beautiful now can we oh haha

justineparis

I WISH we were like France ( and many other europeon countries) where the price on the menu IS the price you pay.. its WAY better then our add tax add service /tips system..

Our system sucks that way.. I have no problemo saying that.. but boy.. the sun shines out of Americas a*S to some folks here..

NeoPatrick

Yea, I hear you, justineparis,. Math is so hard, isn't it?

justineparis

Don't be such an *8s .. in Canada when a person purchases something they have to know the different ( and they are different province to province) rates for retail taxes, liquor taxes, and provincial sales tax.
Also.. just to be difficult.. when you purchase ONE cupcake you are charge GST.. but when you purchase six you are not.. head trip..

American tourist complain about it all the time. They seem to hate it.. but then I guess most of them find math " hard".

You must have so much fun looking in the mirror.. its like a lovefest for you, you don't need a partner do you.. you are your own cheering section.

Most europeon countries have it RIGHT and Canada and United States have it WRONG. Just admit it. Ok.. that's asking too much of you.. ha ha..

travelgourmet

I WISH we were like France ( and many other europeon countries) where the price on the menu IS the price you pay.. its WAY better then our add tax add service /tips system..

In what way is it worse? Even if math is hard for you, the advent of the smartphone should solve the problem.

travelgourmet

Most europeon countries have it RIGHT and Canada and United States have it WRONG.

Well I don't think that is true.

justineparis

Of course you don't.

travelgourmet

Of course you don't.

Yes, of course. No rational, mentally competent adult would think that tipping (or not) is "wrong" in a comparative context. They may not like it, but they'd recognize that it isn't "right" or "wrong". It is just different.

NewbE

<Most europeon countries have it RIGHT and Canada and United States have it WRONG. Just admit it. >
Finally she says what she's always saying in not so many words, lol. What a fool.

justineparis

Newbe that quote was in reply to a post about including taxes in listed price.

Try and keep up .

I am not a fool, you are.. a big dumb a&s American fool.

You want to trade insults.. fine.. I can give as good as I get..