Restaurant workers quit at record rate

[JSOP]

That's why Americans are well Iiked in the European service industries. They are generous with their money while European are used to service included and see tipping as unwarranted, although some European are worse than others.

Europe is not the only country that has all service charges included. Attended a destination wedding several years ago (the good ole days pre-covid) in Mexico. Stayed at this beautiful seaside resort in Cancun all-inclusive, never needed to pay one cent throughout the whole trip besides the hotel bill at the end of the stay. We were told that we didn't even need to tip the housekeeping staff but we decided to leave something for them still because they really did an impeccable job keeping our rooms clean and we wanted to show our appreciation.

Honestly tipping is just an American thing I find.

 

[virtusa]

although some European are worse than others.

and some Americans are worse than others too I suppose...

 

[VicBee]

Europe is not the only country that has all service charges included. Attended a destination wedding several years ago (the good ole days pre-covid) in Mexico. Stayed at this beautiful seaside resort in Cancun all-inclusive, never needed to pay one cent throughout the whole trip besides the hotel bill at the end of the stay. We were told that we didn't even need to tip the housekeeping staff but we decided to leave something for them still because they really did an impeccable job keeping our rooms clean and we wanted to show our appreciation.

Honestly tipping is just an American thing I find.

Same here in Singapore. No one tips.

 

[VicBee]

and some Americans are worse than others too I suppose...

Rare. For European it's cultural. Germans are known to be stingy, French usually pretend they don't know the tipping rules and apologize profusely if reminded that tipping is not included, Brits take out their calculators to make sure they leave the expected 15% to the penny...

 

[Snarkhund]

You people are just trolling without even reading ppl's post. But I am bored and have no life so I will indulge. You think people give s*** about having a job? To really have the "honour" of working to earn a living?? People are working because they have to. As the multiple stimulation checks have demonstrated, as long as they keep getting $$ in their pockets, they couldn't care less whether they work or not and they much rather prefer not to work. So all those restaurant workers or whatever workers, as long as they get paid, they would have no problem staying home. They couldn't care less if their jobs are taken over by robots and machines. These people who have quit "in droves" did not quit to protest about their wages being low; they quit because they could. SO why would they rebel?? LOL Rebel against whom?? The government who's now feeding them stimulus checks?? LOL You guys are delusional.

Accuracy right up in here...

Cooks are getting something like $35 an hour (Chicago) in unemployment and other Covid hustles. Why on Earth would they go back to work?

I love the Kitchen Culture. Lots of shouting, unnecessary drama and epic ganja consumption.

Like a jazz band lol.

I retired some time ago from engineering. After a couple of years as a ski instructor it dawned on me that I needed to learn haute cuisine and stop eating Lean Cuisines and there was only one efficient way to learn. I took a job as a prep cook in a French restaurant. After about a year I moved up to line cook. Did only 2 years total but it left me well equipped to cook really good food at home. Everything rue based etc. My hand speed has slowed a bit but I'm still faster with a knife than most mortals lol.

Nobody is going back to work while there are largish unemployment checks still coming.

The states can stop that anytime they want. Florida cut the federal gravy train early so many have gone back to work here but the rest of the country is a mess.

 

[Branos]

I feel that in the nearest future profession of a waiter will die.
I am in earnest, this profession doesn't require any intellectual abilities or maybe some art. This profession is all abour accepting the orders and delivering food from the kitchen to table. More than that, there are already plenty of restaurants, where there are no waiters at all and there are robots intead of them. THey are very effective and never forget orders or drop the dishes. Sometimes I really dream of having a robot instead of a waiter because some of them are not serious about their job and I have to wait for too long for my ordered food.
Unlike waiters, I believe that the profession of barmen will nevee die. Some people may think that it is not a big deal in preparing the cocktails, but their profession is not only about mixing liquids, they create some atmosphere in the bar which makes it cozy and friendly.

 

[BMK]

I've never been served by a robot in the USA. I'm not saying they don't exist. And I don't live in NYC, Los Angeles, London or Tokyo. But I've never seen a robot server.

I would much prefer to be served by a competent human server than a machine. And I generally do not like "self-serve" style restaurants where you order on a screen and then go pick up your food at a counter when it's ready. That might be okay if I'm in a rush. But I really prefer to sit down and order from a human server.

BMK

 

[VicBee]

I feel that in the nearest future profession of a waiter will die.
I am in earnest, this profession doesn't require any intellectual abilities or maybe some art. This profession is all abour accepting the orders and delivering food from the kitchen to table. More than that, there are already plenty of restaurants, where there are no waiters at all and there are robots intead of them. THey are very effective and never forget orders or drop the dishes. Sometimes I really dream of having a robot instead of a waiter because some of them are not serious about their job and I have to wait for too long for my ordered food.
Unlike waiters, I believe that the profession of barmen will nevee die. Some people may think that it is not a big deal in preparing the cocktails, but their profession is not only about mixing liquids, they create some atmosphere in the bar which makes it cozy and friendly.

...that's right... sit, relax and have another drink while I get your pills...

 

[Overnight]

One of the things that plays on the minds of Europeans like myself when we travel to the US is "Do we have to tip in this situation? How much is the norm? If I un-intentionally under-tip, will I be ridiculed?"
A simple matter which Americans take for granted and know how to do well (cos they've grown up with it) can be source of dis-comfort for foreigners.

Here's an example - a few years ago in Las Vegas, on the strip, we literally moved from one hotel to the next and used a taxi, due to having suitcases. The fare was $5. I handed over $8. The taxi driver gave me a dirty look as if to say "What the f**k?!", so, I gave another 2 to make it a round $10, and he literally said "That's better" like I was some child who had done something naughty and had to be reprimanded. (Luckily Uber now reduces that problem.)
I just felt violated in some way - it wasn't even the money, just the attitude.

An American friend who lives in the UK tells me that when he and his friends go out to a fancy bar in NYC, they'll give the barman a tip equal to the cost of the first round, so if the drinks cost $100, they'll tip $100, and then the barman looks after them for the rest of the night. I asked what happens if people don't tip the barman, or give a low tip, and the reply was that then you'll just get ignored all night. Hmmm.

PS - In England, you don't need to tip in a bar or pub. Buy your drinks, pay money, no drama.

Traditionally, the standard gratuity in a restaurant in the US is 15% of total bill, excluding tax. For everything else, such as taxicabs, room-service, bars etc, it's whatever you damned-well feel like, whether it be 0% or 150%.

That Vegas cabdriver? He took you for a ride all right, because he smelled your vulnerability. Guilting you into forking over an undeserved tip. A fair tip for a $5 fare would be at MAXIMUM $1. I should know, I've driven cabs in NYC and Florida, both metered and radio-dispatched. He was a scum-bag asshole. Next time, just say NO! lol!

 

[yana hansen]

It is sad to hear that people in the food service industry have to work in such stressful environment.