No, not cow tipping silly, tipping in restaurants for service. In North America, waitering staff assume they will always receive a fine tip. Most take it for granted and do not realize it is for specialized customer service or going beyond your regular duties. Waitering staff just take it for granted that they will make $200 in tip on a good night for taking your order, bringing your food, and then bringing your bill.
Well, some of us went to the Soho pub on Davie Street for cheap wings and beers last night. When it was just three of us and the place was busy, service started out great. Our waitress was attentive and responsive. The first batch of wings came slowly. Folks were starving.
Then another three people showed up and we switch to a larger table--same waitress though. The place started to thin out. The service began to slide. She missed coming back to check on our drinks. Mid-way through, she apologized to one side of our table for the wings being slow stating that the kitchen was short staffed. That was fair, it's not her fault and she let us know the delay. I appreciate that, but that's not specialized service.
However, missing refills on drinks, forgetting to bring drinks, bringing the wrong kinds of dips, and not splitting the bill correctly are all kind of a drag. Then when you receive a tip under 15 percent and coming back to us when we are leaving to whine about it is quite petty. People who rely on tips to survive should really get a job that pays a higher wage, or they should really try to do a better job serving their customers to earn higher tips.
I almost got a job bussing tables at a funky restaurant downtown for the summer. It would pay me $8 hour plus tips. Tips would maybe be $20 on a good night. When I worked it out, it would be about $10 per hour--on a good night. I doubted all nights would be good nights. I figured I could not survive basic cost of living on my own on $8 to maybe $10 an hour. So I opted out on the job offer.
I usually go by the rule of starting out at 15 percent, then going lower or higher depending on the service. When I was at Cactus Club on Broadway and Granville the other day, our waitress was very attentive, smiling, always bringing refills, checked on us serveral times, and overall very pleasant. It was effortless for her, she was naturally good at her job (or very experienced). We tipped her 20 percent because she did a good job. The place was packed too. Usually, when a place is busier the service slides.
I'm even starting to get annoyed at tipping cups at food service shops. I get sucked into leaving a dollar or my change for them. It's a minimum wage gig. If you want tips, get a higher paying job. I sometimes forget I'm a student again. I need to keep my change for my own expenses.
I know most restaurant waitering staff have to tip out of their tips to the hosts, bussers, and some kitchen staff (usually about 17 percent). That's a tough deal. But everyone going into waitering and food service industries know the deal. Some waitering people argue that eating out is a luxury. I agree it is. You are using disposable income (or credit) to pay for your luxury spree.
I remember in Australia tipping is not required. If you feel extra pleased with your experience, you can insist on tipping. The wages are higher there, so food service staff are very pleasant and give great customer service to patrons knowing they will receive a good wage regardless. It's such a nice change, but it will never happen here.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
First Weekend of Spring
Yesterday, was the first *real* weekend of spring. I did not have to work my retail job , so I had a full weekend off. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and it was nothing but blue skies.
I met Becky at Laurel & 8th. We were going to walk over the overpass on 6th Avenue to Charleston Park. I had not been there in several years. We walked along the seawall on False Creek South towards Granville Island. We walked past the playground next to the water park. We walked by the marina to look at the sailboats and then had lunch at the market.
The market was bustling; many cars and suvs were circling and circling trying to find parking. We were relishing in the fact we walked over. We looked around Net Loft. I shopped in Paper-Ya. Then we checked out Creekhouse, including Rhinoceros Accessories, a First Nations arts store, and Dragonspace.
We walked along Johnston Street past the musician who plays a South American flute instrument, Emily Carr School, and Granville Island Hotel. We walked past the Community Centre and lay down on the grassy hill by the Canada flag pole.
In the evening, we made steak and salad and watched Derailed. It started off slow and predictable, but quickly picked up and became more interesting. The movie was better than I thought it would be. An enjoyable fun day and a relaxing night. I really relished every minute walking in the sunshine with the beams warming my face. I have made it through another dreary, bleak, and gray winter. Nothing but clear skies ahead!
I met Becky at Laurel & 8th. We were going to walk over the overpass on 6th Avenue to Charleston Park. I had not been there in several years. We walked along the seawall on False Creek South towards Granville Island. We walked past the playground next to the water park. We walked by the marina to look at the sailboats and then had lunch at the market.
The market was bustling; many cars and suvs were circling and circling trying to find parking. We were relishing in the fact we walked over. We looked around Net Loft. I shopped in Paper-Ya. Then we checked out Creekhouse, including Rhinoceros Accessories, a First Nations arts store, and Dragonspace.
We walked along Johnston Street past the musician who plays a South American flute instrument, Emily Carr School, and Granville Island Hotel. We walked past the Community Centre and lay down on the grassy hill by the Canada flag pole.
In the evening, we made steak and salad and watched Derailed. It started off slow and predictable, but quickly picked up and became more interesting. The movie was better than I thought it would be. An enjoyable fun day and a relaxing night. I really relished every minute walking in the sunshine with the beams warming my face. I have made it through another dreary, bleak, and gray winter. Nothing but clear skies ahead!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
In Bloom
Well, a few things have happened over the past week. All of which have contributed to my positivity and overall well-being. Who knew a change of environment, some greenery, and a weekend getaway can achieve a new spring in my step?
First, a few weekends ago I went up to the Sunshine Coast for Burning Man Vancouver Recompression VI. It was my fourth year in attendance. I found the event to be more mellow than usual (which is what I needed). Kelly and I coordinated our 80s-themed cabin complete with retro-stylin', music, movies, and mayhem. Typically, we arrive mid-morning Friday and take our time settling in. However, I started a new job (information to come further), so I left after work on an evening ferry to Langdale.
All is not lost! We managed some audio/visual difficulties and finished the 80s trivial pursuit for prizes. Fun theme cabins included Puddle Pirates, Trailer Park Trash, Champion Kissers, Mustache, and Space Virgins. The people were fabulous (of course!), the food was good, and the camp staff were friendly. I volunteered for a Harm Reduction shift on Friday night. I met some new people and got to know some I had only known by name. The fire show was spectacular. I was happy having coordinated Rangers and Harm Reduction staff during the event.
The weekend seemed to fly by and the weather could have been slightly better. It was awesome having two fire performers, two rangers, and a couple who gave me a banana guard in our cabin. A fun thing to do is hold the banana guard to your ear and sing banana phone.
Second, I accepted a new job as an administrative assistant at a publications office. The office publishes several local magazines. Upon entering my third week at this job, I realized what a difference there is to working with a great group of friendly, euthusiastic circle of women who believe in equality and positivity. The previous two jobs I have worked in have been male-dominated and focused around power hierarchy, aggressiveness, and competitiveness. I realized how I have been longing for a place that centres around equality and positivity. It feels good to have found it while attending school part-time.
Third, I just finished final exams in Macroeconomics and Precalculus. (*jump in the air Breakfast Club style*) I am awaiting my grades. I will be going to Langara for second year and continuing to finish Calculus at Vancouver Community College.
Fourth, we started planning our annual road trip. We will be going to Golden, Radium, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper with another couple. The Rockies has been on my to-do-list for awhile now. We are planning a ten-day road trip through each area to camp, hike, swim, and explore. I am so excited!
I had to put off my trip to Amsterdamn because of the new job (only 1 week of holidays this year). No worries. I plan to do Europe for a month next year. I am hoping Jesse will still be in Europe somewhere and we can somehow meet up.
Fifth, I bought my first house plants. I do not know why I have not bought plants before. Maybe I'm not a plant person? My father is a plant person--almost a jungle person. I bought a tropical plant, a weeping fig, and a airplane plant. I am debating naming them. No cat-plant conflicts as of yet. I made sure to buy cat-friendly (non-toxic) plants.
Other than that, I'm catching up on tv shows on DVD (Angel, Dead Like Me, Lost, L Word), watching movies, reading, cat herding, and socializing.
Ahh... the smell of spring. It makes me think of beaching, walking, card playing, camping, pot lucks, movie nights, board game nights, and overall socializing. Suddenly, the school term ends and I have a life.
First, a few weekends ago I went up to the Sunshine Coast for Burning Man Vancouver Recompression VI. It was my fourth year in attendance. I found the event to be more mellow than usual (which is what I needed). Kelly and I coordinated our 80s-themed cabin complete with retro-stylin', music, movies, and mayhem. Typically, we arrive mid-morning Friday and take our time settling in. However, I started a new job (information to come further), so I left after work on an evening ferry to Langdale.
All is not lost! We managed some audio/visual difficulties and finished the 80s trivial pursuit for prizes. Fun theme cabins included Puddle Pirates, Trailer Park Trash, Champion Kissers, Mustache, and Space Virgins. The people were fabulous (of course!), the food was good, and the camp staff were friendly. I volunteered for a Harm Reduction shift on Friday night. I met some new people and got to know some I had only known by name. The fire show was spectacular. I was happy having coordinated Rangers and Harm Reduction staff during the event.
The weekend seemed to fly by and the weather could have been slightly better. It was awesome having two fire performers, two rangers, and a couple who gave me a banana guard in our cabin. A fun thing to do is hold the banana guard to your ear and sing banana phone.
Second, I accepted a new job as an administrative assistant at a publications office. The office publishes several local magazines. Upon entering my third week at this job, I realized what a difference there is to working with a great group of friendly, euthusiastic circle of women who believe in equality and positivity. The previous two jobs I have worked in have been male-dominated and focused around power hierarchy, aggressiveness, and competitiveness. I realized how I have been longing for a place that centres around equality and positivity. It feels good to have found it while attending school part-time.
Third, I just finished final exams in Macroeconomics and Precalculus. (*jump in the air Breakfast Club style*) I am awaiting my grades. I will be going to Langara for second year and continuing to finish Calculus at Vancouver Community College.
Fourth, we started planning our annual road trip. We will be going to Golden, Radium, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper with another couple. The Rockies has been on my to-do-list for awhile now. We are planning a ten-day road trip through each area to camp, hike, swim, and explore. I am so excited!
I had to put off my trip to Amsterdamn because of the new job (only 1 week of holidays this year). No worries. I plan to do Europe for a month next year. I am hoping Jesse will still be in Europe somewhere and we can somehow meet up.
Fifth, I bought my first house plants. I do not know why I have not bought plants before. Maybe I'm not a plant person? My father is a plant person--almost a jungle person. I bought a tropical plant, a weeping fig, and a airplane plant. I am debating naming them. No cat-plant conflicts as of yet. I made sure to buy cat-friendly (non-toxic) plants.
Other than that, I'm catching up on tv shows on DVD (Angel, Dead Like Me, Lost, L Word), watching movies, reading, cat herding, and socializing.
Ahh... the smell of spring. It makes me think of beaching, walking, card playing, camping, pot lucks, movie nights, board game nights, and overall socializing. Suddenly, the school term ends and I have a life.
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