The Jazz Kitchen Bill Cluster Fornication - Page 7

Kevy Baby · 04-28-2009, 04:05 PM

Yeah, that the waitress wouldn't apply the discount until AFTER the fact made no sense. That had me scratching my head as well.
_____________________

For me, the bottom line is that we will never know what caused the snafu. Probably a myriad of factors - a perfect storm if you will. I don't believe (or at least I don't want to believe) that there were any intentional shenanigans going on. And if there was, then that person(s) will have to deal with their own Karmic retribution.

keith - SuPeR K! · 04-28-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Yeah, that the waitress wouldn't apply the discount until AFTER the fact made no sense. That had me scratching my head as well.

Yes, I agree. We tried to get her to take our AP's several times before any bills were printed or issued and she wasn't having it. We mentioned that every single separate check would have an AP associated with it as well because of how we thought she would be splitting things, but apparently that all went out the window about 2 sections down the table...

Either way, I had a delightful meal with wonderful friends and I'd happily do it again soon!

Morrigoon · 04-28-2009, 09:59 PM

Not related to the incident, since I wasn't there, but since we're talking about good strategies for making sure sufficient tips are given:

My personal rule in groups is to take the raw cost of my food and add 25%. It's the easiest amount to figure, and covers tax as well as a higher than 15% tip, regardless of which county you're in. And then most of the time I'll round up to the nearest dollar.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-29-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Not related to the incident, since I wasn't there, but since we're talking about good strategies for making sure sufficient tips are given:

My personal rule in groups is to take the raw cost of my food and add 25%. It's the easiest amount to figure, and covers tax as well as a higher than 15% tip, regardless of which county you're in. And then most of the time I'll round up to the nearest dollar.

Actually, especially in LA county, 25% means just about right on a 15% tip now, with the latest sales tax increase.

innerSpaceman · 04-29-2009, 08:37 AM

Except when did the 'standard' tip go to 20%?

I have no problem with that change ... except that now if I want to leave a better than average tip, it's got to be at least 25% ... and fully one-quarter the price of the meal seems very out-of-line for a gratuity.

SzczerbiakManiac · 04-29-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

SM, I see your point about better service being expected in better restaurants, but I don't agree. I'm no more particular in a fine dining establishment than I am at a diner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

*This does not apply to anyone reading LoT.

You may not be more particular, but most other people very much are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I've been known to refuse to pay the level of "included gratuity" if the service is substandard.

And I fully support/endorse that philosophy. All I'm saying is that the service was so poor you feel you need to ding the server on the tip, you should also tell the manager.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Has someone suggested this snafu was deliberate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I suggested that the money may have been lifted. There was enough cash sitting around on the table with no one directly watching it and the cash was mis-handled by the server (combining all of the cash even though the bills were separate) for that to happen.

I meant to ask if someone had suggested one of us had lifted the cash. Sorry for not being clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Is it safe to post my address here?

Absolutely not! (I'm quite serious)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Those guys who open the cab door for you at Vegas casinos. Because doing so makes me feel like a whale (the good kind, not the kind I am).

I don't get it. What is the good kind of whale?

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

when did the 'standard' tip go to 20%?

Even back in the days that I was waiting tables (over 13 years ago), the "standard" tip was a range of 15 to 20 percent. So I can't say I find it surprising to hear that has nudged up a bit.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a side note, have restaurants stopped automatically adding gratuity to large parties? Did something happen to make them change that policy? It seemed ubiquitous not too long ago, but now I've encountered two unrelated dining establishments in the past week where I know for certain this policy has changed.

(Yeah, I know two does not a trend make.)

Chernabog · 04-29-2009, 09:13 AM

Standard tip is 15%, for average service. The person took your order and brought out your food and refilled your drink.

If you've ever waited tables (like I have) then you'll tip 20%. 20% is for good service (which you'll see more of obviously in a more expensive restaurant). The person explained the menu, offered selections, and was generally more attentive than your average restaurant.

Anything more than 20% is if the service was exceptional in some way. The wait staff went way out of their way to make sure that your dining experience was exquisite.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-29-2009, 09:28 AM

I aim high when tipping as part of a large party. Both in an attempt to avoid situations like we ended up with this time, and in recognition of the fact that handling large parties is a more difficult task for a server. One that probably slows down their overall service, meaning fewer total tips on their shift, and possibly lower tips from customers they are not able to pay as much attention to as they might otherwise due to having to deal with the large group.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-29-2009, 09:41 AM

A "whale" is Vegas lingo for the highest of high rollers, the people who drop so much money that casinos fall over themselves to cater to their every whim to get them to lose their money in their establishment.

And no, restaurants have not stopped adding automatic gratuity on large parties, you've just run across a couple anomalies.

And while no one has accused anyone of our friends of intentionally stealing any money, we have been told that we should feel shame for some reason.

innerSpaceman · 04-29-2009, 09:52 AM

SM, on the one or two occassions when I felt it necessary to tip below the 18% automatic grautuity, speaking to the manger was de riguer ... if only to inform them why we wouldn't be paying the bill in full.

And if it's more than anecdotal that the standard tip has "nudged" up to near 20%, I still maintain that a tip for great service near one-fourth the price of the meal is usurous.

Lastly, as far as the JKBCF is concerned ... either some person or persons seriously cheaped out on their bill, some person in our party is a dirty, rotten thief who stole some money (pfft, um not), or someone in the restaurant is a thief who steals money from guests' checks (um, also not bloody likely).

I'm not saying this is the resulting scenario then, but the most likely answer is piss-poor accounting, more likely a mistake by the restaurant on the bill.

Kevy should sue.

04-28-2009, 04:05 PM	#1
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Yeah, that the waitress wouldn't apply the discount until AFTER the fact made no sense. That had me scratching my head as well. _____________________ For me, the bottom line is that we will never know what caused the snafu. Probably a myriad of factors - a perfect storm if you will. I don't believe (or at least I don't want to believe) that there were any intentional shenanigans going on. And if there was, then that person(s) will have to deal with their own Karmic retribution. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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04-28-2009, 09:59 PM	#3
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Not related to the incident, since I wasn't there, but since we're talking about good strategies for making sure sufficient tips are given: My personal rule in groups is to take the raw cost of my food and add 25%. It's the easiest amount to figure, and covers tax as well as a higher than 15% tip, regardless of which county you're in. And then most of the time I'll round up to the nearest dollar. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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04-29-2009, 08:37 AM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Except when did the 'standard' tip go to 20%? I have no problem with that change ... except that now if I want to leave a better than average tip, it's got to be at least 25% ... and fully one-quarter the price of the meal seems very out-of-line for a gratuity.
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04-29-2009, 09:13 AM	#7
Chernabog Biophage Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Moon Posts: 2,679	Standard tip is 15%, for average service. The person took your order and brought out your food and refilled your drink. If you've ever waited tables (like I have) then you'll tip 20%. 20% is for good service (which you'll see more of obviously in a more expensive restaurant). The person explained the menu, offered selections, and was generally more attentive than your average restaurant. Anything more than 20% is if the service was exceptional in some way. The wait staff went way out of their way to make sure that your dining experience was exquisite. __________________ And they say back then our universe Was a coal black egg Until the god inside Burst out and from its shattered shell He made what became the world we know ~ Bjork (Cosmogony)
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04-29-2009, 09:28 AM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I aim high when tipping as part of a large party. Both in an attempt to avoid situations like we ended up with this time, and in recognition of the fact that handling large parties is a more difficult task for a server. One that probably slows down their overall service, meaning fewer total tips on their shift, and possibly lower tips from customers they are not able to pay as much attention to as they might otherwise due to having to deal with the large group. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-29-2009, 09:41 AM	#9
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	A "whale" is Vegas lingo for the highest of high rollers, the people who drop so much money that casinos fall over themselves to cater to their every whim to get them to lose their money in their establishment. And no, restaurants have not stopped adding automatic gratuity on large parties, you've just run across a couple anomalies. And while no one has accused anyone of our friends of intentionally stealing any money, we have been told that we should feel shame for some reason. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-29-2009, 09:52 AM	#10
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	SM, on the one or two occassions when I felt it necessary to tip below the 18% automatic grautuity, speaking to the manger was de riguer ... if only to inform them why we wouldn't be paying the bill in full. And if it's more than anecdotal that the standard tip has "nudged" up to near 20%, I still maintain that a tip for great service near one-fourth the price of the meal is usurous. Lastly, as far as the JKBCF is concerned ... either some person or persons seriously cheaped out on their bill, some person in our party is a dirty, rotten thief who stole some money (pfft, um not), or someone in the restaurant is a thief who steals money from guests' checks (um, also not bloody likely). I'm not saying this is the resulting scenario then, but the most likely answer is piss-poor accounting, more likely a mistake by the restaurant on the bill. Kevy should sue.
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