I visited the US 3 years ago and tipping was a bloody pain in the bum. It added probably 20min to our meal as the waiters took a while to get change. Further, asking every 15 minutes how our meal was going was quite exhausting; mainly because we knew it was performative for more tips. We tipped 20% each time but it’s really, really frustrating not knowing the price up front.
Back home, I’m used to paying up front and then leaving as soon as we’re done. Waiters leave you alone, unless you’re a regular, and ask you how the meal was at the till if you pay after.
To be honest I hate tipping but I find that to be the positive thing about tipping.
The thing is, if you know you will be tipping 20% everytime then you do know the price upfront. It’s 20% higher than the menu price.
Then, if you get horrible service you can choose to give yourself a 20% discount by not tipping rather than fighting with management to give a discount.
It’s the same as the VAT. You can calculate it. But you shouldn’t need to do math before going into a restaurant just because the owners can get away with expecting you to pay more for something advertised as costing less. In most other countries, shops have to include VAT in the price they advertise. If I see a 25€ item, I know I will pay exactly 25€ for it. And if I see a 20€ meal, I know I will pay exactly 20€ for it.
If restaurants expect you to provide at least a 20% tip, they should advertise their menu with that 20% added to it. Else, I’m gonna pay exactly what’s on the sign.
I’m from Europe and I apprecaite a good waiter since majority of them really aren’t very good. I haven’t been to US but if its true that this “good service” means being interrupted for soda refills then that for sure does not mean good service.
You’re never interrupted. A good waiter will keep an eye on your table and will notice things like how fast you drink your soda, for example, and if it’s 3/4 gone and you’re only halfway through your burger they’ll come to your table and ask if you’d like more. They don’t randomly appear and ask if you need another soda refill.
I think you meant snob, and in all fairness I am snobby, but only when an expectation has been set. If I’m paying US $300 or more for a dinner for 2 then I’m going to expect that my waiter knows exactly when to come over and ask if I need another martini.
I visited the US 3 years ago and tipping was a bloody pain in the bum. It added probably 20min to our meal as the waiters took a while to get change. Further, asking every 15 minutes how our meal was going was quite exhausting; mainly because we knew it was performative for more tips. We tipped 20% each time but it’s really, really frustrating not knowing the price up front.
Back home, I’m used to paying up front and then leaving as soon as we’re done. Waiters leave you alone, unless you’re a regular, and ask you how the meal was at the till if you pay after.
To be honest I hate tipping but I find that to be the positive thing about tipping.
The thing is, if you know you will be tipping 20% everytime then you do know the price upfront. It’s 20% higher than the menu price.
Then, if you get horrible service you can choose to give yourself a 20% discount by not tipping rather than fighting with management to give a discount.
It’s the same as the VAT. You can calculate it. But you shouldn’t need to do math before going into a restaurant just because the owners can get away with expecting you to pay more for something advertised as costing less. In most other countries, shops have to include VAT in the price they advertise. If I see a 25€ item, I know I will pay exactly 25€ for it. And if I see a 20€ meal, I know I will pay exactly 20€ for it.
If restaurants expect you to provide at least a 20% tip, they should advertise their menu with that 20% added to it. Else, I’m gonna pay exactly what’s on the sign.
I don’t want my waiter to leave me alone. I want them to be attentive to my every need. A good waiter knows how to appear just when they’re needed.
I’m from Europe and I apprecaite a good waiter since majority of them really aren’t very good. I haven’t been to US but if its true that this “good service” means being interrupted for soda refills then that for sure does not mean good service.
You’re never interrupted. A good waiter will keep an eye on your table and will notice things like how fast you drink your soda, for example, and if it’s 3/4 gone and you’re only halfway through your burger they’ll come to your table and ask if you’d like more. They don’t randomly appear and ask if you need another soda refill.
Right? The service in Europe is fine as long as you never need anything.
Exactly.
You’re living in a fantasy land. Nobody appears when they’re needed, you just happened to look up when they had a moment free.
You act like a guy bringing you fish and chips is some genie in a bottle popping out when you need a top off on your Diet Coke. Give me a break lmao.
I see you’ve never been to a nice restaurant.
Says the guy whose comment makes him sound like an insufferable slob.
I think you meant snob, and in all fairness I am snobby, but only when an expectation has been set. If I’m paying US $300 or more for a dinner for 2 then I’m going to expect that my waiter knows exactly when to come over and ask if I need another martini.