Observations from a Tipless Restaurant

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by mythealias on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @01:04PM (#6128330)

not sure if you are trying to be sarcastic or just lack experience. while you can always shout or call out politely, you can also waive at the passing server (it doesn't have to be the one that served you). and if you find shouting too crude you can just excuse yourself from the table and walk to the waiter. at most restaurants the servers are on standby if their guests need any attention, but that does not require them to show up at the table to check if you enjoying your meal.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by NegativeK on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @01:57PM (#6128733)

I don't think it's a common experience in America.

I was eating at an Italian restaurant in Miami. Two beachgoers came in a bit after me, stared at the menu for 15 minutes, and left in a huff. Even if they had looked around the restaurant in a grumpy "where the fuck is our waiter" manner, he would've been at their table in 10 seconds.

The normal hover/frequent checkup behavior of American waiters and waitresses seems to be counter to this in almost all ways. It seems as though the rounds they make to check on everyone makes it much harder to get their attention when needed, in comparison to a waiter who stands back and watches.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by ripter on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @02:51PM (#6129150)

In america, if a waiter doesn't come to your table within the first 15 min of you sitting down, then there is something wrong.

It shouldn't take more than a min or two for the waiter to come over, give you some water, and introduce themselves.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by kybernetikos on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @03:26PM (#6129395)

Introduce themselves? That's exactly the kind of cultural thing I think people are talking about.

I'm not here to be taken on a 'journey' by the server, I'm here to eat good food and enjoy the company that came with me.

A good server is one you barely notice.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by sejje on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @03:49PM (#6129549)

There's no journey, they give you their name and proceed to take your drink orders.

No need to be condescending here, he even prefixed it with "in America," and what he said is absolute fact. If you aren't waited on in the first 15 minutes, in America, you aren't in a good restaurant.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by ripter on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @03:49PM (#6129543)

It's normally something like "Hi, my name is Kybernetikos, I'll be your server today. If you have any questions just let me know. I'll bring out some water and take your drink order."

It's something you typically ignore until it's not there.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Observations from a Tipless Restaurant by Gormo on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @06:01PM (#6130336)

As a South Floridian, I'll point out that Miami is a culture unto itself, and what goes on there cannot be taken as an example of the typical way of doing things in America (or Florida, for that matter.)

[ Parent | on HN ]