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SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

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Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#2
That's a cafeteria.

My favorite dining experience in SF was when I got half of a deviled egg for $9, and the server was just too fucking bothered to tell me that I should order another half for my date.

I'll bet they're still going to try to slip in the "healthcare" fee for the non-existent full timers.

Just one more thing: people will absolutely pay $20 for a burger. Many places sell more expensive burgers, and at some they are the most popular and profitable menu item.

Raise prices.

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#3
So, a question from a foreigner, if you buy something at a counter, should you tip? I would think the answer is no, but in states where minimum wage laws are different for tipped workers, I would expect the answer to be yes, but are there other guidelines? Does it matter if you eat in vs take out? What are the damn expectations?

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#4
post #3

So, a question from a foreigner, if you buy something at a counter, should you tip? I would think the answer is no, but in states where minimum wage laws are different for tipped workers, I would expect the answer to be yes, but are there other guidelines? Does it matter if you eat in vs take out? What are the damn expectations?

I'm sure you'll get as many answers as people you ask, but I personally do not.

I tip waiters who come around to refill my water and ask how the meal is.

I tip delivery-people (like, delivery to an off-restaurant location. Not someone who brings my plate out and that's it).

I don't tip other employees at eateries.

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#6
post #3

So, a question from a foreigner, if you buy something at a counter, should you tip? I would think the answer is no, but in states where minimum wage laws are different for tipped workers, I would expect the answer to be yes, but are there other guidelines? Does it matter if you eat in vs take out? What are the damn expectations?

If you buy something at a counter, there is no social expectation that you tip (bartenders are the sole exception, but just give them a dollar not a percentage.) Nor for takeout, but you should definitely tip for delivery (those guys get a raw deal anyway, their pay sucks and they're almost always putting miles on their personal vehicle. Tip them with cash when possible, to make sure they get to keep it...)

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#8
post #3

So, a question from a foreigner, if you buy something at a counter, should you tip? I would think the answer is no, but in states where minimum wage laws are different for tipped workers, I would expect the answer to be yes, but are there other guidelines? Does it matter if you eat in vs take out? What are the damn expectations?

I tip when I take out from somewhere that also has seated, tipping customers. In that case I tip 10-15%.

I don't tip more than a buck or two at other places (coffee, burrito, pizza, etc) and if I don't tip at all I don't feel bad.

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#9
post #3

So, a question from a foreigner, if you buy something at a counter, should you tip? I would think the answer is no, but in states where minimum wage laws are different for tipped workers, I would expect the answer to be yes, but are there other guidelines? Does it matter if you eat in vs take out? What are the damn expectations?

I'm sure you'll get as many answers as people you ask, but I personally do not. I tip waiters who come around to refill my water and ask how the meal is. I tip delivery-people (like, delivery to an off-restaurant location. Not someone who brings my plate out and that's it). I don't tip other employees at eateries.

[deleted]

Re: SF Restaurants Can’t Afford Waiters. So They’re Putting Diners to Work

#10
The small menu is so appealing and the place itself so charming that you almost forget, as a diner, that you have to do much of the work of dining out yourself. You scout your own table. You fetch and fill your own water glass. And if you’d like another glass of wine, you go back to the counter.

A lot of low-range restaurants work in Australia and New Zealand. Is this really that rare in America?

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