Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why some US restaurants are banning tips

bbc.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

261–270 of 416 posts

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#261

Post by garbawarb »

tossandthrow wrote: post #138
getfacl wrote: post #31

The biggest barrier to ending tipping in the USA is that restaurants are almost always over staffed there. The owner wants the maximum ratio of servers to customers possible. In the typical USA system, being paid primarily in tips means the server is highly incentivized to upsell the customer as much as possible and do everything they can to increase the total bill, and therefor increase their tip. Essentially a comm…

> Instead of checking on the customer every few minutes This is likely one of the absolute worst features of the US dining system. So many times I have been sitting in deep conversation with friends or colleagues just for a waiter to claim all attention to ask if we want to have refilled water. That they can even push themselves to such rude behavior is entirely insane to me.

"Is everything okay here?"

The answer is always yes. I'd come get you if it weren't.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#262

Post by sofixa »

niels8472 wrote: post #85
catoc wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> European dining is the worst Europe has 40+ countries with what, a million, restaurants… let’s conflate them all! Horrible! The whole continent! 1 star (and not a Michelin one)!

To be fair US states are like that, too.

Yes, the dining experience in California and New York is just so, so different. One waiter might call it pop, the other soda, it's like being on a different planet!

It's wild the extents to which Americans overestimate the cultural differences between their states and literal entire countries with actual differences. Scandinavia and the Mediterranean are quite different, Americans speaking in a different accent and maybe being slightly friendlier or not is nothing.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#263

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

In Japan, I think the servers are paid well, and they don't accept tips. If you leave money on the table, they will chase you down, and give it back.

And the service is incredible. Japanese service culture is pretty amazing, if you are used to the US. You really want to tip them -much more than in the US.

I think the US underpays waitstaff pretty badly. They desperately need the tips, but in some places, they can do fairly well. I know lots of [former, mostly] bartenders, and they tell stories of bringing home hundreds of untaxed dollars, every night.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#264

Post by xyzelement »

neetle wrote: post #256
xyzelement wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're telling on yourself. Most people I know are happy to leave a tip - especially to reward great service as part of a great night, or in cases where you have a long term relationship with an establishment and its staff. I can only imagine the staff is likewise happy to see the nice tip from us at the end of the night. If you can only imagine "unnecessary bad feelings" - I can only imagine the tip you leave and ho…

"If you are so poor" Is poverty the only reason to dislike tipping in your eyes? I'm absolutely fascinated by how sheltered you are, and I'm desperately trying to be charitable here as that's one of the more cunty things I've read on this site.

It is the only semi sympathetic reason.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#265

Post by KptMarchewa »

inigyou wrote: post #240
ricardobayes wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my opinion, low birth rates can't be attributed to income, or income inequality. I feel like it's more about optimism, to have kids you have to be optimistic about the future.

A lot of pessimism is caused by the current inequality.

A lot of pessimism is caused by the relative change of inequality.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#266

Post by sofixa »

ghaff wrote: post #178
mschuster91 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> European dining is the worst, every time I am back stateside I feel like im being waited on in the white house or something fancy. Part of European dining is the social aspect, that gets ruined when you're constantly being asked if you want another drink.

So you say "I'm good or maybe in a bit." Was that hard? (Versus trying to chase someone down to get your beer refilled.)

And if you say you're good, you'll get the check (assuming end of meal). If you don't pay it, they'll come back and ask you if you want something else. If you say no, they'll give you a few minutes and come back. They want you to get the fuck out of there as quickly as posible.

In the average place in most European countries (excluding places with a queue outside or highly sought after reservation only places), nobody would bat an eye if you stay talking an hour after you're done.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#267

Post by jjgreen »

sofixa wrote: post #257
hammock wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also tip 10% in Europe unless I see a table/service charge added, and I will gladly stop if you say so

In France it's added in the cost of items - sometimes there is a mention of it somewhere on the menu.

service compris

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#269

Post by ghaff »

briHass wrote: post #258
tossandthrow wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Instead of checking on the customer every few minutes This is likely one of the absolute worst features of the US dining system. So many times I have been sitting in deep conversation with friends or colleagues just for a waiter to claim all attention to ask if we want to have refilled water. That they can even push themselves to such rude behavior is entirely insane to me.

Experienced servers will usually try to 'feel out' a table to understand if they are in a rush, demanding, want to converse, etc. The same behavior that feels rude when you're catching up with old friends is often welcomed by a table that might have limited time to eat or that prefer to have things done without waiting or flagging someone down. You do realize that it's perfectly acceptable and commonplace to explain…

In NYC or London theater district (or an airport) at least, it's pretty common for the server to ask at the beginning about time constraints.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#270

Post by infecto »

It’s quite funny to read the comments. Europeans consider their system one of culture. Americans don’t care about the culture but the time wasted.

I am just sitting here thinking everyone is creating a reason why their system is better while trying to diminish another’s.

Post reply on HN