So who do u tip??

[polly]

Originally Posted by Eric

We should not need food banks in Canada, but we do. There is more than enough wealth in this country, yet like all rich countries, much of that wealth is concentrated in a relatively small number of hands. We are not as bad as some countries, but it is immoral that in a Country as rich as ours anyone should go hungry, or not have adequate shelter. However, I still hold to the point that one has to help the poor with charity at the same time as working to change the system.

Perhaps if you stopped paying for the LT Govenour or the Govenour General or whoever you could afford your poor?

[Eric]

Originally Posted by polly

Perhaps if you stopped paying for the LT Govenour or the Govenour General or whoever you could afford your poor?

c'mon: you know it doesn't work that way .... you don't change the accidentals; you change the substantives. It's that simple; and that difficult

[entwisi]

when I worked in the restaurant trade I was taxed assuming that I made a certain amount. Working as I always have to the very best of my ability no matter what teh job I could earn a decent amount when I worked in one place but at another the service culture was different and tips were a fraction of the first place. The service I gave was no different yet the impact to me was significant. Whilst there was no 'rule' to share tips I had agreements with some of the other staff where we would share our tips as a way of 'smoothing' those rough days with the good ones. I would also often buy the chef a pint or three if I'd had a good shift, I worked on the principle that look after those who can look after you. always seemed to work for me.

Service is not a 'dead end' job. it used to annoy me those business types that would treat you like something they stood in for no more than being a waiter. yet the decent folk were those who pulled up in some huge expensive car wearing suits costing more than I earned in a month but still took time of day to have a proper conversation and appreciate what you do for them. it wasn't always about money either. A genuine "Thank you" said with sincerity was worth something to me in that I knew I had done a good job.

Is UK culture better than US? no, its different. why is the "British Butler" seen as the ultimate in service if we are so bad at it.

I usually tip unless there has beena reason not to, bad food, poor service etc. Usually working on between 5 and 10% of the bill as a measure. If service has been included I ask if it goes to the staff, if it doesn't I take it off and give the staff cash. I've already paid for my food as part of the bill along with a percentage to cover wages etc, service is about how they have made me feel.

One lovely story is when Julie and I were in the IOM at the TT one year. We went in the restaurant owned by the celeb chef whose name escapes me just now. we were early so had a drink in the bar. as we were on hols at a bikers do we had jeans, T shirt etc on. Just before the restaurant opened a group of business men in suits came in. we all went up to the rest and started looking at menus. The Maitre D was clearly faffing round the business men whilst we were left to sit and read the menu in peace. when he took the orders the business men all ordered the tea time 'special' cheap deal, Julie and I ordered full a la carte with a VERY nice bottle of plonk. It was quite amusing to see his attention switch to the point that they sometimes stuggled to get more drinks whilst we didn't even touch our bottle of wine as he was there to freshen our glasses at the mereast hint that we needed it. First impressions were clearly wrong on that day