Dare to Flair

In my pub days I would always get stiffed when it came to take out.

People seem to think that take out is less work, so they don’t have to tip. Really take out is just as much work if not more because you have to anticipate anything the guest will need and make sure it is all tied up in a neat little bag for them.

So now, I always make sure to tip when I get take out.

What I have been finding lately, is that the kitchen guys pack up the take out, the server or bartender gets the tip and no one double checks to make sure that the order is correct.

It has been so bad recently that the last three times that I have ordered from this particular place, they have screwed up my order.

I get heated when I over tip in most cases, and the person receiving it is too lazy to double check the order.

It has gotten to the point where I have boycotted an entire pub chain, and will never go back!

So I am head down, pumping out cocktails. I see who is in line and what order they got there, and I hear this voice say. “Hey, all I need is a water man.”

I look up to see that the voice came from some random guy who decided that he doesn’t have to wait in line like everyone else, because he’s only getting water.

I reply, “You’re going to have to wait a second, these people are in line ahead of you.”

“I said all I need is a glass of water”, he chimes back. Without wanting to get into it, I take the time to get this guy his water, and without a please, thank you, or a tip he turns around and walks away.

Just for the record, a glass of water takes no less time to make than a rum and coke does. Just because it is free, does not mean that you do not have to tip. Or at LEAST say thank you!

Tip literally stands for To Insure Promptness.

Most people who work in the service industry rely on tips as a major part of their income. Because this is a known fact, most servers and bartenders are paid minimum wage if not less.

That being said, we all have to keep in mind that a tip is a gratuity and is not mandatory.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you give a server or a bartender a tip, it is not 100% theirs to keep. Servers must then turn around and give a percentage to busboys, bartenders, and hostesses, and in some cases they must tip out the house. (Give a percentage to the establishment.) Bartenders must give a percentage to barbacks and busboys, and usually must give some to the establishment also.

There is a perception from some people in the industry that a tip IS mandatory. I believe that if the service is adequate, than an average tip should be left. (Average being around 15%). If the service is excellent, then an above average tip should be left. However, if the service is terrible, I do not believe that there should be any tip left. If people tip when the service is terrible, then the server or bartender will not do anything to improve service. Hence, encouraging below average service.

If you are not sure who to tip, and how much, you can check out some guidelines by clicking here.

http://www.tipping.org/tips/us.html