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There is the downside that the service is generally not as good as in Nth America. But most of the world do not tip in the way that you do, Europe tends to be very much like here.
There is the downside that the service is generally not as good as in Nth America. But most of the world do not tip in the way that you do, Europe tends to be very much like here.
I’m not sure if tipping is the real reason behind it. From personal experience, it looks like there is a lack of accountability in the service industry. I’ve seen a number of stores open over an hour late on regular business days, food delivery running late or discount retailers like Big W being understaffed and lacking individuals knowledgeable about the wares being sold. I think it comes from Australia’s laid back attitude. That’s just one major fault that is easy to pinpoint, but I thoroughly enjoy most things in this fine country.
There is the downside that the service is generally not as good as in Nth America. But most of the world do not tip in the way that you do, Europe tends to be very much like here.
But equally, I think a lot of Aussies would genuinely not want to have super attentive wait staff hovering around their table. Similarly the dynamic behind tipping would grate somewhat with the social perspective of many.
I’m not sure if tipping is the real reason behind it. From personal experience, it looks like there is a lack of accountability in the service industry. I’ve seen a number of stores open over an hour late on regular business days, food delivery running late or discount retailers like Big W being understaffed and lacking individuals knowledgeable about the wares being sold. I think it comes from Australia’s laid back attitude. That’s just one major fault that is easy to pinpoint, but I thoroughly enjoy most things in this fine country.
What type of stores do you see opening late, just out of interest? Something I have not noticed much. I agree service can be pretty bad in large stores. The staff are very often casual, often students. We do not have a source of cheap labour so businesses cut their staff too much because of cost as well as availability.
Australians are fairly adverse to conflict, in the British way, so will often not confront situations with bad service but have a big whinge about it privately. I agree that we generally do not want fawning and intrusive service, but sometimes I feel it would be nice not to have to wave down the waitstaff to bring me a drink!
What type of stores do you see opening late, just out of interest? Something I have not noticed much. I agree service can be pretty bad in large stores. The staff are very often casual, often students. We do not have a source of cheap labour so businesses cut their staff too much because of cost as well as availability.
Australians are fairly adverse to conflict, in the British way, so will often not confront situations with bad service but have a big whinge about it privately. I agree that we generally do not want fawning and intrusive service, but sometimes I feel it would be nice not to have to wave down the waitstaff to bring me a drink!
Most of the stores opening late are privately owned ones. I know it's their right to do as they so please, but on multiple occasions I've seen them open well beyond their advertised working hours.
I'm not too keen on intrusive staff either, but would like if some of them had a better grasp of what's on offer.
Not from what I’ve experienced. Greek style yoghurt made in Australia tends to be quite affordable.
I'm thinking of fruit and veg. The cheap stuff is imported, the expensive stuff is Australian grown. Seafood too.
I live in California and in Sydney. To be honest, I don't notice that big of a price difference eating out once tax and tip is included. That's the thing in Australia the price on the menu is the price that shows up on the bill.
Australians are fairly adverse to conflict, in the British way, so will often not confront situations with bad service but have a big whinge about it privately.
I’ve found Aussies span the full spectrum when it comes to raising complaints, from perhaps too accepting to pretty blunt and direct. Perhaps it’s a generational and background issue? But I think Aussies do at times like to retain at least a veneer of friendliness more than others; when there’s no attempt to do that the situation is usually pretty terminal.
We were last in the US in 2014, in Hawaii, and we found the food to be quite expensive. But when you are a local anywhere you know where to get better value. There are lots of specials in the pubs and clubs and most suburban restaurants are BYO in Sydney.
I'm thinking of fruit and veg. The cheap stuff is imported, the expensive stuff is Australian grown. Seafood too.
I live in California and in Sydney. To be honest, I don't notice that big of a price difference eating out once tax and tip is included. That's the thing in Australia the price on the menu is the price that shows up on the bill.
Depends on where you want to go, what Australia really does miss out on the is the mid-range family stuff. I agree the high end is much of a muchness but it's the $20 stuff where Sydney misses out a bit (compared to Melbourne).
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