How much to tip on a $1000 check -- waiter chased us out of the restaurant to complain
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:29 AM
#42
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Posts: n/a
Folks,
I wouldn't bring this up unless it were still a sore subject. There is no way you can have a discreet discussion at the table in front of guests about a tip and my husband picked up the bill and passed over his credit card and I didn't realize until they chased us down that there was an issue. So far the person who commented on waiters being taxed on 15% made the most logical sense. The real issue is twofold: 1) how to explain to people the American custom of tipping and 2) what about the demeanor of the staff of the place who knew it was our wedding day and chose to make a federal chase over $50 bucks anyway. As it happens my father felt badly and covered it later as he returned to look for the wedding certificate. This changes nothing about what happened.
I wouldn't bring this up unless it were still a sore subject. There is no way you can have a discreet discussion at the table in front of guests about a tip and my husband picked up the bill and passed over his credit card and I didn't realize until they chased us down that there was an issue. So far the person who commented on waiters being taxed on 15% made the most logical sense. The real issue is twofold: 1) how to explain to people the American custom of tipping and 2) what about the demeanor of the staff of the place who knew it was our wedding day and chose to make a federal chase over $50 bucks anyway. As it happens my father felt badly and covered it later as he returned to look for the wedding certificate. This changes nothing about what happened.
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:29 AM
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Folks,
I wouldn't bring this up unless it were still a sore subject. There is no way you can have a discreet discussion at the table in front of guests about a tip and my husband picked up the bill and passed over his credit card and I didn't realize until they chased us down that there was an issue. So far the person who commented on waiters being taxed on 15% made the most logical sense. The real issue is twofold: 1) how to explain to people the American custom of tipping and 2) what about the demeanor of the staff of the place who knew it was our wedding day and chose to make a federal case over $50 bucks anyway. As it happens my father felt badly and covered it later as he returned to look for the wedding certificate. This changes nothing about what happened.
I wouldn't bring this up unless it were still a sore subject. There is no way you can have a discreet discussion at the table in front of guests about a tip and my husband picked up the bill and passed over his credit card and I didn't realize until they chased us down that there was an issue. So far the person who commented on waiters being taxed on 15% made the most logical sense. The real issue is twofold: 1) how to explain to people the American custom of tipping and 2) what about the demeanor of the staff of the place who knew it was our wedding day and chose to make a federal case over $50 bucks anyway. As it happens my father felt badly and covered it later as he returned to look for the wedding certificate. This changes nothing about what happened.
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:33 AM
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
IMHO it was in totally bad taste for the restaurant to chase you! And yes, they should have been sensitive to the fact that your husband wasn't from the US {though now that Hubby is aware of the different custom, I think that he should follow it - when in Rome...}.
I would have expected such a presumably high-class establlishment to be much more gracious - disappointing.
I would have expected such a presumably high-class establlishment to be much more gracious - disappointing.
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:36 AM
#47
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People, people, people. We have been trolled. I called a friend of mine that works at the RC downtown (Battery Park City, NY) and she said that it is RC procedure *across the board* (meaning at all of their properties), to add the gratuity to a party of 6 or more. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:50 AM
#50
Guest
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I cannot believe you people are swallowing this hook, line, and sinker. There is no way on God's green earth that Ritz Carlton staff would "chase" anyone out of a restaurant to confront them about a tip. It will not happen. Period. End of story. The ONLY scenario that even could come close is that they were genuinely concerned that there WAS something wrong, hoped to make it right, and approached from that standpoint, then the embarrassed Leslie misinterpreted their intent...
And, if I'm mistaken Leslie, my apoloigies, and by all means, take it up with the GM, but in truth, their service mantra is so well ingrained and such a matter of pride, that I simply cannot abide by your initial account.
And, if I'm mistaken Leslie, my apoloigies, and by all means, take it up with the GM, but in truth, their service mantra is so well ingrained and such a matter of pride, that I simply cannot abide by your initial account.
Jun 18th, 2002, 09:50 AM
#51
Guest
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Seems to me Leslie is full of fishy stories
However, from what I read here, the waiter and maitre'd were asking if something was wrong not "you did not tip us enough"
As a former server, I only went after one person in 20 years of waiting tables. He ranted and raved about the great service, the bill was $250.00, he only left me $5.OO. I asked him what was wrong with my service. He stated nothing. "We had a great time". I then put my hand out to show him the $5.00 and I winced. He laughed, thanked me for coming after him and told me to look under the plate where he had been sitting. Folded neatly was a $50 dollar bill. He was curious to see what my reaction was going to be when I saw the $5. Interesting?
However, from what I read here, the waiter and maitre'd were asking if something was wrong not "you did not tip us enough"
As a former server, I only went after one person in 20 years of waiting tables. He ranted and raved about the great service, the bill was $250.00, he only left me $5.OO. I asked him what was wrong with my service. He stated nothing. "We had a great time". I then put my hand out to show him the $5.00 and I winced. He laughed, thanked me for coming after him and told me to look under the plate where he had been sitting. Folded neatly was a $50 dollar bill. He was curious to see what my reaction was going to be when I saw the $5. Interesting?
Jun 18th, 2002, 10:04 AM
#57
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Posts: n/a
I just think it's funny that she expects American restaurants to be more considerate of foreigners... While in the Bahamas I did not realize at first that the gratuity was added on to every check so I was leaving a tip on top of that. Do you think any of those servers pointed out to this foreigner that I was leaving too much?
No way! Moral of the story, it is your responsibility to know the rules of the country you are in, not theirs to teach you.
No way! Moral of the story, it is your responsibility to know the rules of the country you are in, not theirs to teach you.
