Minimum wage, food costs & tipping guidelines in other countries

[Tiger926]

I should probably back out of this discussion, but I'm just too bull headed for that.

Thanks for the clarification on the Federal minimum wage, everyone. My daughter dates a guy who is 17, and my son started working at Pizza Hut over the summer. He was 16 at that time, and just turned 17 himself 3 days ago. I couldn't count the number of times those boys had me pulling up minimum wage information. PA went to $7.15 per hour in July and these 2 were on cloud 9. I must have gotten confused with the Feds raising it to $7.25 (in like 2 years) somewhere along the line. So, I do stand corrected on that and appreciate you taking the time to show me where I was wrong.

Now, I wanted to address the OP and this is where I should have probably backed out of the discussion. If you feel paying help even $10 per hour, not giving them benefits (though you have insurance in Canada that we don't here), expecting them to work terrible shifts, practically every weekend of their life is paying someone well, that tells me how you view the employees in your family's restaurant. Those guys in the kitchen sweat their butts off from the time they walk in to work, till the time they leave. Maybe you should try it and see how you'd like it? I find myself getting very resentful of your posts.

Everyone who works in the restaurant business busts their butts. Luckily for the wait staff that they do get tipped, not all are so fortunate. Those who don't are extremely underpaid, IMO. Now, I can understand someone who has never worked in a restaurant a day in their life thinking otherwise (and I know a lot can be said for other professions as well, but I don't address them in this thread because we're discussing wait staff here), but you're different as you seem to have had some experience in the field. I just find it appalling that anyone in the know could say how well they pay, then go on to say that their country will be raising the minimum to $10 per hour. That suggests the staff isn't even paid that much, yet the claim is tossed out at how well you pay.

The restaurant where I worked, the UN tipped staff was in to the $15 category (still not big bucks for what they do and no benefits), if they've been there for any length of time. True that you don't walk in the door making that, but if you stick it out, you get there. At least it's some incentive. Do you know what Disney pays the non tipped positions? I'm not talking to start, either. IMO, you're making a rash judgement, without having all the facts in front of you.

And for the record, I'd be curious where you eat at Disney. While it's true that some restaurants use cheaper ingredients, that's not the case for all of their restaurants. For the record, there is a reason they closed Alfredo's down. I didn't care much for it myself. I also tend to think the buffets have a poor quality to them (overall, there are exceptions), so I take that into consideration when I choose not to eat there.

Truly, I have never in my life heard from someone in the business (and you do have tipping there), complaining about having to tip the wait staff. I'm not being smart, but I have really, never experienced that in my life.

What in the world are you talking about? I said many times that I'm horrified that Disney pays their servers so little money, and also said that many times, my family's employees make more money than my family does, as when times are lean, it comes out of my family's pockets, they never, ever not pay their employees as they know how hard they work. Your comment about how hard people in restaurants work is silly too, as I grew up with my father spending most of his days and nights at the restaurants, so you don't need to lecture me on how hard restaurant employees worked - I've lived it my whole life.

By the way, how is paying someone almost $10.00 an hour (our minimum wage will go up to this next year), plus they also get tips, not good wages, yet Disney's employees only get $2.00 or $3.00/hour? You have me really confused with that statement. I posted because it had no ideas that state minimum wages were that low, but on the other hand, I also don't like to be forced into tipping with Disney making it mandatory. Also, I never once said that we don't tip - we tip every time when vacationing in the U.S., even if we get bad service, as we know it's not really tips, but wages that we are paying. I also said that never, ever would I penalize a server for bad food, yet I've seen it, and read about it many times on these boards - totally not fair to the servers at all. It's very interesting to me to see how other countries handle the situation, and that is why I posted.

I'm also not sure why you are asking what restaurants I've eaten in at WDW? Why is that relevant? For the record, we eat only Table Service, and have eaten at almost (a few signature restaurants left to try) all restaurants multiple times, so we've had some great meals and great service, and some not so great meals, and not so great service.

I've had a very long day, as we are having some serious family medical issues to deal with, so I am going to not respond to your post any further, lest I say something that I may get into trouble for.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

 

[kaytieeldr]

By the way, how is paying someone almost $10.00 an hour (our minimum wage will go up to this next year), plus they also get tips, not good wages, yet Disney's employees only get $2.00 or $3.00/hour?

Sigh... because this is not Canada, therefore Disney is not in Canada, therefore Disney pays its CMs based solely on United States wage laws - EXACTLY as is done in comparable businesses throughout THIS country. Yes, I know there's nothing like Disney - but the businesses they operate are equivalent to businesses throughout THIS country and are subject to the SAME wage laws as those businesses. \
Disney restauant = non-Disney Florida restaurant = non-Florida restaurant.
Disney store = non-Disney Florida store = non-Florida store.

Nobody yet has provided a valid, lucid argument as to why Disney should pay its employees differently than comparable individual businesses in the United States; nor has anyone provided a valid argument for why Disney should pay its employees wages comparable to OTHER countries with different wage laws/requirements.

 

[Tiger926]

katieeldr - I was commenting in direct response to this statement by N. Bailey:

Now, I wanted to address the OP and this is where I should have probably backed out of the discussion. If you feel paying help even $10 per hour, not giving them benefits (though you have insurance in Canada that we don't here), expecting them to work terrible shifts, practically every weekend of their life is paying someone well, that tells me how you view the employees in your family's restaurant. Those guys in the kitchen sweat their butts off from the time they walk in to work, till the time they leave. Maybe you should try it and see how you'd like it? I find myself getting very resentful of your posts.

He has determined that since I think $10.00 is a good wage, and he does not, I must have no respect for the people who work in my family's restaurants, nor must they, as the staff works very hard, and therefore is worth more than that. I absolutely disagreed, as $10.00/hour, plus tips, is a good wage here - in fact, my family gets people applying to work in the restaurants with multiple university degrees, because they are offered office or retail jobs in their field that pay less than $10.00/hour, plus, they don't get tips. I still am confused as to how paying someone $10.00, plus tips, isn't a good wage, yet N. Bailey didn't comment on paying someone $2.00 or $3.00/hour, which is much less than $10.00?

I don't want to put words in his mouth, but I think his feelings are pretty clear from the above quoted post. Something along the lines of: My family as the owners must just sit and collect the money that comes pouring in on the backs of the employees who are sweating it out in the kitchen, or on the floor serving people. That statement is totally uncalled for, since N. Bailey doesn't know me, or my family and doesn't see how hard-working (they are sweating alongside their employees, and always tip them) or generous they are, and doesn't see that when there isn't that much money to be had that week as every food item went up in cost, and the heating bill tripled, that instead of raising costs like Disney does, they protect the customers, and always, always pay the staff, and continue to donate food when called upon. What does that mean for my family? No paychecks are brought home that week for our family. If that doesn't show how much you value your customers, staff & community, then I don't know what does? My family doesn't run a corporation like Disney does, and I totally get that, but my point in mentioning it all along is that my family, and the millions of other small businesses just like it across North America, are very dedicated to their employees and customers, whereas Disney is dedicated to making more profit, as they should be as this is the mandate of the corporate world. For me then, it's a little frustrating to see people defend when Disney continues to raise prices on food & pays employees so little, when small businesses would never think of doing this, yet if they did, they would surely lose customers.

I totally now understand that there is a huge discrepancy between U.S. and Canada in regards to this, and totally understand just how different the small business world is, as compared to the corporate world - had an interesting discussion with my dad last night about it as well. He's been a restauranteur for over 40 years, so it was interesting to hear his take on hourly wages, tips, etc. I won't bother to post our discussion here as I don't want to bore anyone.

I posted because I truly didn't realize how little servers are paid in some parts of your country as I've never worked there. I didn't post to be a troublemaker, as I truly have learned a lot from this discussion as this is something that I have grown up in my entire life.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger

 

[kaytieeldr]

katieeldr - I was commenting in direct response to this statement by N. Bailey:

My apologies, then. Ten dollars actually IS a relatively (compared to the current requirements) reasonable wage in this country. Of course, more is better... for the worker, not for the employer.

 

[N.Bailey]

My comments are based on the NON tipped positions. You want to only make it about the tipped positions. In fact, the tipped positions are paid pretty well in most every restaurant in this country. My point is, you have no idea what Disney, or any other restaurant in this nation, pays the OTHER employees. You do realize there are more non tipped positions in a restaurant than there are tipped ones, don't you? If the server is paid even $3.00 an hour, that could leave an additional $4.00 or more per wait staff to divvy up between the other positions.

I think it's appalling that your family who owns a restaurant thinks 10% is acceptable, though. That speaks volumes to me. I agree if the service is downright bad it's an entirely different ball of wax. I'm 40 years old and I can't tell you a single time that I've had downright bad service. Yes, I've had excellent service and just acceptable service, but never bad service. If I did, it would be reflective in the tip. I feel that's an entirely different subject than what this thread pertains too, though.

Oh and for the record, $10 per hour may be an acceptable wage in the industry, but you put out the claim that your family paid well. Well, $10 isn't being paid well. It's not even a living wage.

BTW, I am a she, not a he.

 

[Tiger926]

My comments are based on the NON tipped positions. You want to only make it about the tipped positions. In fact, the tipped positions are paid pretty well in most every restaurant in this country. My point is, you have no idea what Disney, or any other restaurant in this nation, pays the OTHER employees. You do realize there are more non tipped positions in a restaurant than there are tipped ones, don't you? If the server is paid even $3.00 an hour, that could leave an additional $4.00 or more per wait staff to divvy up between the other positions.

I think it's appalling that your family who owns a restaurant thinks 10% is acceptable, though. That speaks volumes to me. I agree if the service is downright bad it's an entirely different ball of wax. I'm 40 years old and I can't tell you a single time that I've had downright bad service. Yes, I've had excellent service and just acceptable service, but never bad service. If I did, it would be reflective in the tip. I feel that's an entirely different subject than what this thread pertains too, though.

Oh and for the record, $10 per hour may be an acceptable wage in the industry, but you put out the claim that your family paid well. Well, $10 isn't being paid well. It's not even a living wage.

BTW, I am a she, not a he.

I am sorry about the mistake with gender.

Again, I'm not sure if you are reading my posts? I never said my family only tips 10% - I said at times we have issues because my hubby and I feel we should tip more because we are so used to tipping based on U.S. wages as we travel in your country quite a bit, and they remind me that it's not necessary to make up wages here in my country as employees get $8.00+/hour, plus tips here, and it will go up to $10.00 next year. Maybe I've misunderstood something in regards to the charts that were posted, but do Disney's servers not get $2.00-$3.00/hour? If they do only get that amount, then that is far below $10.00/hour, so again, I'm not sure what you are referring to? I don't understand why you are being so rude about it - if I've misunderstood something about the wages, then I apologize. All you need to do is point out that I've made an error in wages, and that would be fine.

I don't wish to argue with you about this - $10.00/hour plus tips is a good or fair wage around here. I made the same amount as a private tutor (with 3 university degrees), with no tips - just a little perspective for you. It may not be a ton of money, but I can assure you that when my family has to pay staff $10.00+/hour (some staff gets more, obviously, but no one can make less, as that is law), it is going to cost them dearly as they just can't raise prices as easily as Disney does.

I'm not sure why you are picking on my posts as I really don't feel you are understanding what I am posting - nowhere did I say we only tip 10%. I've already said a million times that we tip between 15-20% while at Disney as we know we have to supplement wages, end of conversation. Perhaps you may want to read through many of the posts on the Restaurant Board in which members say they routinely stiff servers and direct your frustration on them - we do not do this, nor will we ever do this.

Thanks again for the discussion - I posted to get info about server's wages, tips, etc., as we travel quite frequently to the U.S and I didn't realize just how little servers in general in the U.S. make.

Tiger

 

[kaytieeldr]

My comments are based on the NON tipped positions. You want to only make it about the tipped positions. In fact, the tipped positions are paid pretty well in most every restaurant in this country.

I disagree. It's not a matter of semantics, but of fact. While tipped positions may EARN* pretty well in most every restaurant in this country, in most states these workers are only PAID $2.13 an hour.

*including tips

 

[N.Bailey]

We can hopefully call a truce then, Tiger. You made your posts out in the beginning to say that your family expects top of the line service (not your exact words of course) and even you felt they didn't tip enough or feel they should tip according to the service they received.

I also realize that many in the industry make minimum wage (state rates here, and $8.00 per hour in Canada). I'm not denying that many work for these wages every day of the week. I just took exception when it seemed to me that you thought this was a good wage. It's nothing more than the law mandates. That's a far cry from a great or even a good wage. I am well aware that many other people work for this amount of money in other fields as well. I would stand firm in the fact that these employees weren't being paid a good wage, too. I'm not selective. I wish that minimum wages everywhere = a living wage.

We'll also call a truce, hopefully anyway, on the product quality at Disney vs. non Disney establishments. I just don't believe it's fair to equate Chef Mickey's with many signature restaurants at Disney, where they do use many quality ingredients.

I have no doubt that the wait staff makes very good wages in both of our countries. You may pay more per hour ($8.00 right now, right?), but if people aren't normally leaving the 15-20% gratuity in your country, perhaps the wait staff actually makes out better here? I live in a very small area and back in '99 I made $2.34 per hour. I also made between $700 and $1000 per week in tips (yes, even more than some managers). IMO, if the wait staff had to rely on the employer for their entire pay, many things would be different. For starters, service wouldn't be as good as it is if you have to go above and beyond for it. You'd get Mickey Dee type service (perfectly acceptable when you have no expectations and I'm sure most of us don't have high standards when dining at McDonald's). 2ndly, not many would stay with the job and the turnover rate would be huge.

I've always been amazed at the quality of employees the restaurant I used to work had for the non tipped positions. Those guys (and some ladies) worked so hard, were loyal, did very little complaining, were always courteous and respectful, and still went above and beyond every day of the week. These individuals are some pretty amazing people, IMO.

 

[N.Bailey]

I disagree. It's not a matter of semantics, but of fact. While tipped positions may EARN* pretty well in most every restaurant in this country, in most states these workers are only PAID $2.13 an hour.

*including tips

I don't know the exact amount in each and every state, but I do believe most are hitting closer to the $3.00 per hour mark. It's the hourly rate PLUS tips. Tips are where the money is. The hourly rate is normally used to cover taxes.

 

[DOOM1001]

I don't know the exact amount in each and every state, but I do believe most are hitting closer to the $3.00 per hour mark. It's the hourly rate PLUS tips. Tips are where the money is. The hourly rate is normally used to cover taxes.

I think it's around $3.38 in Florida,but as a former server I can tell you that depending on what you claim in tips every day when you punch out and how many hours you work are somehow put into a formula that decides your paycheck.I knew for a fact that most of the servers who worked the most hours and worked the busiest shifts basically got a paycheck for $0.I never worked a full 40 hour week as some of these servers and only worked lunch shifts therefore claimed less than some of these servers and my paycheck for 2 weeks would be around $50 working 25 hours a week or so.

 

[bavaria]

Sigh... because this is not Canada, therefore Disney is not in Canada, therefore Disney pays its CMs based solely on United States wage laws - EXACTLY as is done in comparable businesses throughout THIS country. Yes, I know there's nothing like Disney - but the businesses they operate are equivalent to businesses throughout THIS country and are subject to the SAME wage laws as those businesses. \
Disney restauant = non-Disney Florida restaurant = non-Florida restaurant.
Disney store = non-Disney Florida store = non-Florida store.

Nobody yet has provided a valid, lucid argument as to why Disney should pay its employees differently than comparable individual businesses in the United States; nor has anyone provided a valid argument for why Disney should pay its employees wages comparable to OTHER countries with different wage laws/requirements.

Once again the voice of reason.

I have been trying to follow this thread since it was first posted, but frankly am having a hard time understanding the OP's posts, perhaps as English is not my first language.

I would surmise however that I have been to far more cities, towns, and villages in America, Canada, Asia and Europe than almost anyone else posting on this thread. In addition, I trained in the restaurant industry (and Kaytie knows who my employer was in Bavaria.... )

SO... a few thoughts from me!

• tipping rates are no different in Canada than in the US. Tipping is an average of 15-18% with larger cities perhaps seeing slightly higher rates. I refuse to believe that all these years my colleagues and I have been 'overtipping' while dining in Canada
• wage rates are not easily compared between countries. Let me assure you that cost of living and tax rates vary greatly between Canada and the US. Comparing wages and making assumptions based on hourly wages or minimum wage has no relevance unless once considers other factors
• I fail to understand the logic that I often see here that 'foreigners' are somehow responsible for automatic gratuity being added to some dining programs in WDW in future (including the OP's original post). I can assure you that tipping practices are different in Germany, yet Germans who travel know that tipping practices differ, and do some research. Any time I travel to a 'new' country I do research online, or via my company, or via travel guides. Others do as well. While some foreign travellers may not be aware of local customs, I refuse to believe that the great majority of foreign travellers are 'stiffing' the WDW servers. I would suggest that a number of American customers also fail to tip the 'standard' amount while in WDW

 

[bavaria]

This must be dependant on the location, & whether or not it's a tourist area. My family had a few meals in Vancouver, a tourist destination, that cost over $150 for the 3 of us. That's w/o alcohol. After our experience, you'd have a hard time convincing us that Canada has cornered the market on great food at a cheap price. We had some good meals, but they definitely weren't cheap. That was fine with us, because we don't mind paying for good food, when we're on vacation. Being American, we also tipped 20%. It never occurred to us not to tip that much. I'm sure our servers loved us.

Your experience reflects exactly what I am trying to say - there is not much difference between the cost of a meal in a large American city vs a large Canadian city. Nor is there much difference in tipping practice... so perhaps your servers didn't love you QUITE as much as you think!

 

[bavaria]

And now compare suggested tips in US, Canada and Germany.... not that much different! (in Germany service is included in your bill)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

United States:

Restaurants with table service: Tip 15% of the bill, based on the quality of service. If you receive exceptional service, 15-20% is customary.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-s606/Canada:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Canada:

It is customary to tip 15% on the total bill before tax, 20% for exceptional service.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187275-s606/Germany:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Germany:

A service charge of 15% is included in the menu price in restaurants, bars, etc. all over Germany. Still, it is typical to "round up" the amount to some more-or-less round figure

 

[cmwade77]

You see, for me in order to get a "standard tip" you have to give at least decent service, at one of the buffets at Disneyland I actually got the manager to refund the tip portion of my meal (his suggestion), as I received no refills on my drink and the plates were never cleared from my table and I was there for a good 30 minutes. If tip is automatically added to my bill and I receive that same poor level of service, I will not hesitate to ask for it to be taken off. At a buffet the server only has two jobs, refill the drinks and clear the dishes, if he/she does neither then he/she if failing to do 100% of his/her job and deserves no tip. On the other hand I have been to buffets here that include the tip that I got such great service from that I left an additional tip, so servers bear in mind that your tip can still reflect the quality of job, even if it is "automatically added" it can be taken off just as easily, if the guest simply knows that they need to talk with a manager about the level of service. Also, in New York there was the case that a restaurant was automatically adding a tip to the bill, the dinners chose not to pay the tip portion, the restaurant pressed charges and the judge ruled that they had the right to not pay the tip if the service was poor, even if it is automatically added; however, he added that the dinners should have asked to speak with the manager to take it off due to the poor service, but he dropped all charges in the case. The bottom line was tips are not mandatory, even if they have been automatically added to the bill for one reason or another.

 

[willsmiller]

Hi to all!
I am also planning trip for vacations but i had lack of information. All the information provided by all of you will greatly help me.

 

[sjaakie]

I refuse to believe that the great majority of foreign travellers are 'stiffing' the WDW servers. I would suggest that a number of American customers also fail to tip the 'standard' amount while in WDW
[/LIST]

As a matter of fact I saw more Americans leaving a tip of a few dollars on the table then I ever would have believed.

Paying with their CC and then putting a few note's of one dollar one the talble seems te be a regular habit.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Here is an example....

The other night we ate at one of our fave restaurants in our town... very nice Italian restaurant. We always have great meals, and great service. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and usually have the same waitress....for some reason we did not ask for her, stupid us, or the manager who knows we like her, did not give her to us as she was full up...

Anyway, we had this nice young and very good looking man waiting on us. He was the worse.. unattentive, he acknowledged us when we sat down and then said he would be back to take a drink order, 15 min later, he showed up... we almost walked out, took our drink order, we asked for some bread, 10 min, the bread shows up, 4 little pieces of bread for 4 people.. we are talking french baguettes sliced in small pieces... then the drinks come... we can finally order.. woohoo. our meal came to us slow. Actually one of the people sent back their cold soup.

Anyway, it was not good.. the bill comes.. both my husband and the other person split the bill and decide that he does not deserve 20%... this does not happen too often. He got 15%, and probably deserved 10% for his lack of service, but we could not do it.

I will speak to the manager next time I go in. He will never wait on me again. Yet...it did bother me to only leave 15%....I am programmed to leave 20%.

 

[paulh]

[*]I fail to understand the logic that I often see here that 'foreigners' are somehow responsible for automatic gratuity being added to some dining programs in WDW in future (including the OP's original post). I can assure you that tipping practices are different in Germany, yet Germans who travel know that tipping practices differ, and do some research. Any time I travel to a 'new' country I do research online, or via my company, or via travel guides. Others do as well. While some foreign travellers may not be aware of local customs, I refuse to believe that the great majority of foreign travellers are 'stiffing' the WDW servers. I would suggest that a number of American customers also fail to tip the 'standard' amount while in WDW
[/LIST]

yep think your spot on there why blame the english or outher foreigners as they dont know the local customs.many more americans visit WDW resturants than overseas visitors.so the majority arnt leaving the 18%+ tip more likley less,thats why weve had lots of uproar over making it standard to leve 18%.most of the posts against the 18% are from americans
Paulh

 

[sjaakie]

Just found this atricle and I read it witgh great intrest.


Forget the Tip...
Market Trends Drive a Wage

I laugh when people in the United States say, "It is so confusing in Europe, because I never know whether or not to tip [the waiter.]" Blame your confusion on the way of life in the United States -- not the way in which Europe protects working restaurant staff.

Not tipping --a standard across Europe minus the odd spare penny-- is not confusing at all...it is as easy as sipping Hoegaarden. Europe has the right idea when the cost of food includes the costs of food, food preparation, and a descent living wage for staff.

The United States is confusing... 10 percent? 15 percent? 18 percent? If the waiter is so damn good do you tip him 50 percent and add him as a dependent on your W-4?

I'm basically a "no tipper." And I'm damn proud of it.

When I'm in Europe the only fiddling I do on money is with the currency exchange. In the United States I'll leave $1 for good will. (Now, before you waiters print my picture and post in with "Wanted as a Tight Wad" by your time clock, hold on Mac, this is all about you not me.)

I do make two exceptions in the United States: Family-owned bistros (where one spouse is in the kitchen and the other is serving,) and when I'm waited on in a classic diner environment by a woman who has waited tables for 50 years; both instances will find a fair tip of 15 percent when I leave the table.

For the rest of you, fault your management for your poor wage. Your salary is not the responsibility of your customers.

On 1 September, the restaurant Per Se --meals for under $350 each-- in Manhattan will add a 20 percent service fee to the bill, which begins at $175. Chef Thomas Keller says that the "service charge" will take the place of a tip, which he said is about 2 percent less than what patrons currently leave at the restaurant located in Columbus Circle.

Staff at Per Se will earn hourly wages. Per Se offers 15 tables and charges a flat rate per person for a five-course "French-style" dinner (a similar meal in Paris would cost $25 maximum.) But Per Se does not rush you out the door...in a typical European fashion expect to spend the evening.

The service charge at Per Se is meant to create a unified work culture with the restaurant, and afford a better wage for all employees against a double-digit rate of inflation in New York City.

If all restaurants followed suit, what would be the outcome? The $17 entree is now $21, but that is all you pay? And the waiter's hourly wage is no longer $2.74 per hour plus tips, but increases to $20 per hour?

Hypothetically, if a full-time waiter earns $109 per week in current wage, he waits on four tables and shifts groups of three people every two hours, with an average tip of about 18 percent, the waiter could earn about $48,000 per year -- with two weeks non-paid vacation.

If the restaurant management pays the waiter $23 per hour, plus benefits (two weeks paid vacation per year) that waiter now has a guaranteed, livable salary. But fundamentally too, that waiter no longer worries about pushing you out of the restaurant to fill your seat for another tip. Per Se has the right idea.

For those of you in the United States, which according to the federal government is less that 4 percent, who travel to Europe already know that when you engage a restaurant the most difficult part of the evening is getting the waiter to provide a bill. Dinner could easily be a six-hour event.

In Europe, and certainly in family-style bistros in Paris, when patrons dine for the evening the most the waiter can hope for is to shift the table once during the night. In the meantime, the waiter is: Making sure the table is served, chatting with the bartender, having a smoke, and visiting with friends who come in on a regular basis to dine or sip wine. It is perfectly normal behavior because in these cases, the waiter is the glue that holds the restaurant together. He is their public relations guy. Not accounting for size (30 tables is a big restaurant) it is not unusual to find no more than two waiters, plus the kitchen staff or the chef, serving meals -- with pride.

In the United States, waiters wouldn't be permitted to smoke, even if they wanted to, and they would not be hanging out at the bar waiting for something to do, and certainly, waiters wouldn't be chatting and laughing with friends.

The restaurant culture in the United States puts a gang of waiters in the wings to rush out food, with the main goal of serving well while getting you out as quickly as possible.

That behavior is not worthy of a tip, especially for a meal that more often than not is no match for my own gourmet cooking.

If waiters organized, went on strike, and demanded regular pay, restaurant management companies across the country would have no alternative but to give in. In the meantime don't fault this patron for your lousy wage.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As a matter of fact I saw more Americans leaving a tip of a few dollars on the table then I ever would have believed.

Paying with their CC and then putting a few note's of one dollar one the talble seems te be a regular habit.

Respectfully, if you are talking about Disney World - unless you were at a given table, or paying VERY close attention to it, you likely don't know if what the Guest was using to 'pay' for their dinner was a room key with the Dining Plan on it, or a credit/debit card - or both, as in the case of a DDP Guest ordering non-covered items. Given that from its inception through the end of this year, Disney pays the gratuity - it's possible/likely what you observed was an additional tip for excellent service. It's also extremely likely that if a Guest was actually providing the full tip they'd put small bills on the top - so only the server or someone rifling through the money would know how much is actually there... although, in my experience, for the MOST part, whenever a check folder is provided, the tip would be placed in there and entirely invisible, unknown, and indeterminable, to any party other than the server.