I think this new waitress must have worked at all the restaurants I've been to recently. Prices have been coming with a sticker shock, not to mention that 30% tip button when cashing out. Last receipt i looked at included new state taxes, one for beverage and the other for food handling. Last time my girl and I went out for lunch at a burger place, i was surprised to see that the prices have almost doubled since our last visit. On top of that, the fries and drink was a separate charge. Lately we have been putting our culinary skills to test aataying homr, instead of going out.
I've always considered myself to be a very good tipper. I learned that from my grandfather.
But, the whole tipping thing has gotten out of control! My little hardware store has a tip screen that comes up now. Who on earth tips at a hardware store? Crazy. And a way for business to avoid paying their employees a fair wage.
I've not spoken to the owner yet, but I'm fairly confident they will make it up to me one way or another.
But, many customers would not return. I only will because I know the people well enough to realize that it was a mistake by someone untrained to use the POS system.
1. I love how you and your wife have your favorite regular bar. I think this is something lost on the younger generations. Growing up, there were a handful of local bars in our neighborhood, all served some sort of limited food, either Italian or burgers. My other half and I also have our favorite local spot where most of the staff knows us 🙂. I feel like this is only left to small towns now, though I hope this trend comes back.
2. Yes, whisky. Though I prefer mine neat or one ice cube 😉
3. I now have another book to add to my never ending list. I just started Awakening the Mystics, but I can probably get one of my sons to read How to Die and give me the Clif Notes until I have time to read it 😂
Holy smokes! If we had a local dive bar that served Italian, we'd be there! Alas, all our dives seem to be limited to burgers or chicken.
I'm also a lover of whisky neat. But, the good stuff. The cheap stuff I've got to have that little splash of ginger ale.
I'll have to check out Awakening the Mystics, and I think you'll enjoy How to Die. It is though a really quick and easy read, Clif Notes would probably not cut any time at all off of it! 🤠
Coming very quickly on 30 years in the Service industry as a small business owner, I know this all too well. You can’t let your guard down; even if you’re working with a long-time client who knows you well, you still have to put on your best impression when the stranger comes in from off the street.
Maintain your gentleman manners, as if women and children are in the room. Be patient. LISTEN. Don’t talk over clients or argue with them. Some of this stuff may seem elementary and common sense, but if bad habits have crept in over time, they will catch up with us eventually.
Now, there are those people who are “One strike and you’re out” with their loyalty – you’re eventually going to lose them, no matter how well you do. DO YOUR BEST ANYWAY. You can’t pick and choose which clients you cater to when you own the business. You have to “play a consistent game.” Like we say in Lodge, “Do good unto all.” It’s good advice! But then again, you do have to defend your business – if a customer is truly rude, belligerent, obnoxious, or otherwise detrimental to your business, the customer is NOT always right. Do what you need to do. But do it in a manner that’s proper for all those who witness your actions.
You're right, there are a lot of people who are 'one strike and you're out' when it comes to businesses. I probably am a bit like that myself, if it is a place new to me.
These are good folks though, so we'll be back. I have no doubt that what happened is that they have zero experience managing employees, so just haven't actually managed them. To the point of probably not teaching them how to use the point of sale system, which likely is why all the odd charges were on my bill. Hit the whiskey button, hit the ginger ale button, &c.
I think this new waitress must have worked at all the restaurants I've been to recently. Prices have been coming with a sticker shock, not to mention that 30% tip button when cashing out. Last receipt i looked at included new state taxes, one for beverage and the other for food handling. Last time my girl and I went out for lunch at a burger place, i was surprised to see that the prices have almost doubled since our last visit. On top of that, the fries and drink was a separate charge. Lately we have been putting our culinary skills to test aataying homr, instead of going out.
I've always considered myself to be a very good tipper. I learned that from my grandfather.
But, the whole tipping thing has gotten out of control! My little hardware store has a tip screen that comes up now. Who on earth tips at a hardware store? Crazy. And a way for business to avoid paying their employees a fair wage.
Kids making nuances of themselves - there’s an interesting if unintended phrase. I like it!
Certainly unintended! 😎
Right.
As former WSP, I think I know the place you are talking about.
I used to look for intoxicated just as an excuse to buy a burger.
Sure its insulting and passive aggressive...
It's worth it.
No worries mate
I imagine it would have been a really good place to pick up DUI people. Now it is pretty tame.
Wow,
100 for 3 burgers.
I mean you must be rich.
I mean forgive me; i would have been right up there at the counter jokingly trying to get some of my money back.
In a dive bar no less.
I've not spoken to the owner yet, but I'm fairly confident they will make it up to me one way or another.
But, many customers would not return. I only will because I know the people well enough to realize that it was a mistake by someone untrained to use the POS system.
Good thing you did pay cash. They’d have charged you 3-4% on top of what you paid too, including the tip !
Good point!
A few points from your latest…
1. I love how you and your wife have your favorite regular bar. I think this is something lost on the younger generations. Growing up, there were a handful of local bars in our neighborhood, all served some sort of limited food, either Italian or burgers. My other half and I also have our favorite local spot where most of the staff knows us 🙂. I feel like this is only left to small towns now, though I hope this trend comes back.
2. Yes, whisky. Though I prefer mine neat or one ice cube 😉
3. I now have another book to add to my never ending list. I just started Awakening the Mystics, but I can probably get one of my sons to read How to Die and give me the Clif Notes until I have time to read it 😂
Holy smokes! If we had a local dive bar that served Italian, we'd be there! Alas, all our dives seem to be limited to burgers or chicken.
I'm also a lover of whisky neat. But, the good stuff. The cheap stuff I've got to have that little splash of ginger ale.
I'll have to check out Awakening the Mystics, and I think you'll enjoy How to Die. It is though a really quick and easy read, Clif Notes would probably not cut any time at all off of it! 🤠
Coming very quickly on 30 years in the Service industry as a small business owner, I know this all too well. You can’t let your guard down; even if you’re working with a long-time client who knows you well, you still have to put on your best impression when the stranger comes in from off the street.
Maintain your gentleman manners, as if women and children are in the room. Be patient. LISTEN. Don’t talk over clients or argue with them. Some of this stuff may seem elementary and common sense, but if bad habits have crept in over time, they will catch up with us eventually.
Now, there are those people who are “One strike and you’re out” with their loyalty – you’re eventually going to lose them, no matter how well you do. DO YOUR BEST ANYWAY. You can’t pick and choose which clients you cater to when you own the business. You have to “play a consistent game.” Like we say in Lodge, “Do good unto all.” It’s good advice! But then again, you do have to defend your business – if a customer is truly rude, belligerent, obnoxious, or otherwise detrimental to your business, the customer is NOT always right. Do what you need to do. But do it in a manner that’s proper for all those who witness your actions.
You're right, there are a lot of people who are 'one strike and you're out' when it comes to businesses. I probably am a bit like that myself, if it is a place new to me.
These are good folks though, so we'll be back. I have no doubt that what happened is that they have zero experience managing employees, so just haven't actually managed them. To the point of probably not teaching them how to use the point of sale system, which likely is why all the odd charges were on my bill. Hit the whiskey button, hit the ginger ale button, &c.