So,
Do you think that a "mandatory" service charge would work for most folks who dine out?
While I agree that compensation to those in the kitchen should increase food quality and timeliness from the kitchen, how do you address excellent performance by service staff vs. the slacker who is getting paid well for "under preforming" without showing favoritism or becoming a revolving door for employees to staff your business?
I will always tip for what I percieve as attentiveness and helpfulness to our dining experience and to reward our server for their efforts, otherwise the reward gets the percentage of the minimum that is suggested/required. I also understand the need for the "minimum" when you have a group of "fill in the blank" or more.
Folks that hustle and make my experience a pleasant one make the difference a lot of times for me. Crappy food? Send it back. Crappy waitron? Hope they don't spit in your food. Or worse. I really try to be patient and understanding when I am paying for service, I also I expect a little more than the garden variety company picnic. I could just stay at home and clean up my own mess but isn't that part of the reason why we go out in the first place? The experience?
Maybe said person(s) is/are having an off night, but surely one can sense that. Maybe there was a table with a crowd of plain out jackasses that had to be reckoned with. Trust me, I have seen a family of gypsies come in and trash my favorite BBQ joint on more than one occasion. Additionally, I have had my share of unruly family members ruin my dining experience.
Or is there a reason why the staff is huddled together in the corner cracking jokes and having a good time while the facility is less than busy or may be a tad understaffed while the place is exploding with consumers on a busy night?
A tight ship is a happy ship. bwtfdik.
I am just asking and not trying to put a bad taste in anybody's mouth or start any crap. I realize a lot of folks here are/were in the foodservice industry in variety of positions..... It is an open ended question. How does the "mandatory service fee" work for you?
I do agree though, it was an interesting article!
Kind regards.