Lets discuss tipping

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

The next time you go to Ruth's just waive the wait staff off when they approach. Sit there for as long as they will let you and then go home. Compare that experience with the last time you went. The difference is the value added.

What does the waiter add the girl at Burger King or the button on a coke machine does not. They both perform similar functions, but I pay much less.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I guess one must also consider that I prefer Krystal's to Ruths Chris when it comes to service and taste.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

LAwl.

nG

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

What does the waiter add the girl at Burger King or the button on a coke machine does not. They both perform similar functions, but I pay much less.

The quality of the service is typically better at the Ruths than BK. But beyond that, you know going to Ruths that the wait staff earns their living through tips. You accept that as a customary part of the cost, even if it is not spelled out on the bill. If you don't want to pay the price (including tips and taxes) simply do not go.

I guess one must also consider that I prefer Krystal's to Ruths Chris when it comes to service and taste.

Each to their own. There are plenty of nights that I would much rather run through a drive through. And certainly if for some reason I did not have the cash to pay for the meal and tips I would not go to Ruths.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

That is why I get it "to-go". I am able to get the food at a lower cost. The tip is an optional cost. You can get the milk without feeding the cow. I have not noticed a signifcant difference in food quality, but there is a signifcant decrease in the time spent waiting on the food.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

That is why I get it "to-go". I am able to get the food at a lower cost. The tip is an optional cost. You can get the milk without feeding the cow. I have not noticed a signifcant difference in food quality, but there is a signifcant decrease in the time spent waiting on the food.

I even tip when I pick up:crap:

 

[crunktimes.com 5,000+ posts]

I even tip when I pick up:crap:

Me too haha just like a buck or two.. I guess it does seem kinda stupid but I usually pay with debit card and just seeing the 'Tip' line and not giving anything just makes me feel like a cheap bastard.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Futhermore can someone please define "quality of service"?

From my perspective, here is my expectations when going to a resturant:

1. Take order accurately

2. Give the right food to the right person

3. Fill drinks as appropriate (although I would much rather get them myself, paying tip or no)

4. Remove plates

5. Bring check

Like I have said, the same services are provided at Captain D's without tipping. What is this person do that Captain D's does not provide. Except for the social expectations of tipping. If it is a social expectation, then what qualifies the service of one resturant over the service of another. Is it the waitress is aethetically pleasing? They do thier job correctly and not mess up the order? I am curious how YOU differentiate the quality of service.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I even tip when I pick up:crap:

Really? Why? Who is it for?

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Futhermore can someone please define "quality of service"?
From my perspective, here is my expectations when going to a resturant:

1. Take order accurately

2. Give the right food to the right person

3. Fill drinks as appropriate (although I would much rather get them myself, paying tip or no)

4. Remove plates

5. Bring check

Like I have said, the same services are provided at Captain D's without tipping. What is this person do that Captain D's does not provide. Except for the social expectations of tipping. If it is a social expectation, then what qualifies the service of one resturant over the service of another. Is it the waitress is aethetically pleasing? They do thier job correctly and not mess up the order? I am curious how YOU differentiate the quality of service.

Okay, last post and then I have to go.

The typical difference in the quality of service between a nice rest. and a fast food place should be clear. At the nicer place I do not expect to have to repeat myself several times because the employee is not listening to start with. At the nice place the wait staff may not even be in a visible fight with other employees as she waits on me. Who knows, I may even get assistance on the menu. Moreover, the people working at BK would typically fVcks the order up big time if they were working at the nicer place.

But none of that really matters, the fcat is that I know that the employees at the rest. get paid by tips. Knowing this, I calculate it in the cost of the food. I don't see it as a social obligation. I see it as fair dealing. If I don't want to pay for the wait staff's services then I will not accept them. It really is that simple.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Really? Why? Who is it for?

To compensate the person for taking the time to take my order and see that it was accurately prepared.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I am afraid we have no dined at the same resturants, or had the same experiences. I have not found a signifcant decrease in the quality of service between the $50 per person returant and the $6 per person resturant, except perhaps the atmosphere. And that is not a function of the waiter's service. I found this to be true in the several different states of a variety of cusines at a variety of price points. I believe the server is being tipped for things that are not a function of their performance.

Here's why, I asked several people I know if the tip changes in any of these circumstances

1. Climate of Resturant (too hot, too cold)

2. The timing of the food

3. The quality of tea, soft drinks, mixed drinks

4. The quality of the food

5. The ambience of the resturant

6. Time until being seated.

I asked all the people to list 10 things that influence the tip. 76% of them included at least one item, upon further examination, was not a function of the sever's performance, but of the resturant's performance. Therefore, you are over-tipping if you base your tip on the RESTURANT's perfomance over the SEVER's performance. In which case one can over - or under-tip unfairly. If you are going to tip, you should have metrics which grade the individual's server's performance.

Here is a short list of things that do influence the tip, and are based on the server's performance

1. Did the waiter remember it or write it down. Extra tip for memorizing

2. Did the waiter hand the person the food they ordered, or did the discussion go "Beef Tips?", "Oh, that's John's"

3. Attire of the sever

4. Attitude of the server

5. Did the server chew gum

6. Was the server attentive to one's needs

7. Knowlegde of daily specials

8. Knowledge of the catch of the day...(even though most people don't order it. I don't understand why it matters, but it does)

Needless to say, you will probably say (like my professor) that I need more observations. But he does agree that the majority of customers who tip "on service" (by their own admission) do not accuratley grade the server's performance.

- Does the preparer at Burger King mess up the order or does the counter person record it incorrectly?

And I have never needed help with a menu. I dunno, it's just me I guess.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

To compensate the person for taking the time to take my order and see that it was accurately prepared.

That person makes regular wage at both o' Charleys and Chili's. Tips are just extra for them. A person who works at Lowe's used to work at both. This discussion come up at work before.

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

You're going way too far in depth with this. Nobody thinks about those things when deciding how much to tip.

 

[Duke 10+ year member]

I hardly ever get tips. I deliver pianos.