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I have been in France the past few days for business and this thread has been on my mind.
There is no tipping the wait staff here, it is included in their wages. I must say service has been horrible - no checking back after the food has been delivered, no checking on whether I need another drink, waiting for my check, etc. I know the culture here is much slower, but when it takes me almost 3 hours for a nice meal it is not enjoyable. And I'm not even in Paris.
I'll choose tipping over paying a full wage any day of the week. I like to have a few beverages with my dinner and had to flag the waiter down every time I needed a refill.
The UK is a bit better, there are some tips involved. But France is not the place to go for good service. You would think the restaurant owners would realize quicker turnover means more sales, but it seems to be lost in this place.
Tips are that tips. You tip for your server. Not the food or price of the food. If I get a server that is good. I tip them. If the food is bad is it their fault or the cooks? If the server is bad and the food great is the tip the same? NO!!! I will leave what I feel is right. If it be in cash or on a card. It is their to earn it. Not expect it.
Disagree with that statement if the food sucks the waitress needs to go the the manager and then the manager needs to handle it. If they don,t do anything then they just don't care. Find a new restaurant.
Tips are that tips. You tip for your server. Not the food or price of the food. If I get a server that is good. I tip them. If the food is bad is it their fault or the cooks? If the server is bad and the food great is the tip the same? NO!!! I will leave what I feel is right. If it be in cash or on a card. It is their to earn it. Not expect it.
Disagree with that statement if the food sucks the waitress needs to go the the manager and then the manager needs to handle it. If they don,t do anything then they just don't care. Find a new restaurant.
I know the culture here is much slower, but when it takes me almost 3 hours for a nice meal it is not enjoyable. And I'm not even in Paris.
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What does this even mean? Is this a not so subtle stab. What does "slower" actually mean? Are you refering to France or this area? I would put the service I get in local restaurants against the best in the U.S. and even overseas.
If the waiter in France or other European countries, where the gratituity is included, do a good job, the change from the check is usually left. People in European cities, especially southern Italy, make dining an all evening event. They are not in and out in 30 minutes. They have their wine first and eventually order, not like generally done in the U.S. That is why coffee is so expensive in most cafes in Europe. People order coffee or a drink and sit at the table for hours. The extra charge covers the tips that would have been lost if it were a "fast food" establishment. It isn't a matter of being slow, the waiter is there to serve you but not annoy or rush you. My years of dining experiences in Europe have generally been excellent.
Last edited by Stella Artois; 11-03-2011 at 02:01 PM..
What does this even mean? Is this a not so subtle stab. What does "slower" actually mean? Are you refering to France or this area? I would put the service I get in local restaurants against the best in the U.S. and even overseas.
If you wouldn't have taken my quote out of context you would have known where I meant - in France. I never have a problem with service in Charlotte.
There is a difference between relaxing for hours drinking coffee in a restaurant, and between having an empty wine glass for 10 or more minutes before someone comes and asks if you need a refill. I am referring to the latter.
If you wouldn't have taken my quote out of context you would have known where I meant - in France. I never have a problem with service in Charlotte.
There is a difference between relaxing for hours drinking coffee in a restaurant, and between having an empty wine glass for 10 or more minutes before someone comes and asks if you need a refill. I am referring to the latter.
My apology. I just wanted clarification. I do agree with your second paragraph. I have been lucky. I have had minimal problems. The most memerable problems have been when the waiter keeps coming to my table and asking me if there will be anything else while he is just trying to get rid of me. Lots of French waiters aren't real happy to see us Americans anyway.
Thanks for the clarification.
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