6 ms·

The showmanship is actually a critical component. In addition to the knowledge, and the ability to taste, service is (talking to the customer, understanding wha

by slyrus 8y ago

The showmanship is actually a critical component. In addition to the knowledge, and the ability to taste, service is (talking to the customer, understanding what they might like, opening the bottle, pouring (and washing) the glasses, are all key skills upon which sommeliers are measured. Clearly there's an element of showmanship (I don't mean this to be derogatory) involved in service.

crankylinuxuser 8y ago
Given the markups, sommeliers are used car salespeople of the wine world. I go for what I like. Ive had some $40 bottles that tasted like musty vinegar, and $7 wines that I bought a crate of. I dont need someone flashy doing what amounts to tricks to try to sell me 55% markup instead of the 30% markup.
- cycrutchfield 8y ago
  More power to you, but a sommelier is not meant to upsell you on a more expensive bottle. Their service is meant to assist you in finding a wine that you would like (by itself or paired with a meal).
  - crankylinuxuser 8y ago
    Who pays the sommelier? I'm not paying them directly. The establishment is. Its the same analogy whom HR works for. Cause they sure don't represent my interests.
    - cycrutchfield 8y ago
      Who pays your waiter? Do you think your waiter is secretly conspiring to push you to order the most expensive entree? If you're going to call a sommelier a used car salesman, why stop there with the hyperbole?
      - crankylinuxuser 8y ago
        > Who pays your waiter? The company in which they represent does. And tips are a way to shove the responsibility to directly pay them on me. > Do you think your waiter is secretly conspiring to push you to order the most expensive entree? Secretly? It's no secret that you're 'supposed' to tip on percentage of the bill. So the bigger the bill, the more presumed tip. And the IRS makes this assumption as well (even if it is false). https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/may/08/restaurant-menu-psychology-tricks-order-more https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/ma... http://www.buzztime.com/business/blog/upselling-tips-z-26-phrases-servers-say-bigger-sales/ http://www.buzztime.com/business/blog/upselling-tips-z-26-ph... > If you're going to call a sommelier a used car salesman, why stop there with the hyperbole? Its not hyperbole. They both know the product. They both know how to discuss and address it. They both are compensated upon price. And both are not returnable after sale (or opening).
        cycrutchfield 8y ago
        Well at least you live up to your username
        emj 8y ago
        > you're 'supposed' to tip on percentage of the bill. Except in places where the waiters are paid by salary. We have sommeliers or wine educated sales persons in most wine shops, they really help you choose wine. I can walk in describe the food and my price range, then almost always get out with something good/perfect. They are prohibited to upsell alcohol though.

by slyrus 8y ago

crankylinuxuser 8y ago

Given the markups, sommeliers are used car salespeople of the wine world. I go for what I like. Ive had some $40 bottles that tasted like musty vinegar, and $7 wines that I bought a crate of. I dont need someone flashy doing what amounts to tricks to try to sell me 55% markup instead of the 30% markup.

cycrutchfield 8y ago
More power to you, but a sommelier is not meant to upsell you on a more expensive bottle. Their service is meant to assist you in finding a wine that you would like (by itself or paired with a meal).
- crankylinuxuser 8y ago
  Who pays the sommelier? I'm not paying them directly. The establishment is. Its the same analogy whom HR works for. Cause they sure don't represent my interests.
  - cycrutchfield 8y ago
    Who pays your waiter? Do you think your waiter is secretly conspiring to push you to order the most expensive entree? If you're going to call a sommelier a used car salesman, why stop there with the hyperbole?
    - crankylinuxuser 8y ago
      > Who pays your waiter? The company in which they represent does. And tips are a way to shove the responsibility to directly pay them on me. > Do you think your waiter is secretly conspiring to push you to order the most expensive entree? Secretly? It's no secret that you're 'supposed' to tip on percentage of the bill. So the bigger the bill, the more presumed tip. And the IRS makes this assumption as well (even if it is false). https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/may/08/restaurant-menu-psychology-tricks-order-more https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/ma... http://www.buzztime.com/business/blog/upselling-tips-z-26-phrases-servers-say-bigger-sales/ http://www.buzztime.com/business/blog/upselling-tips-z-26-ph... > If you're going to call a sommelier a used car salesman, why stop there with the hyperbole? Its not hyperbole. They both know the product. They both know how to discuss and address it. They both are compensated upon price. And both are not returnable after sale (or opening).
      - cycrutchfield 8y ago
        Well at least you live up to your username
      - emj 8y ago
        > you're 'supposed' to tip on percentage of the bill. Except in places where the waiters are paid by salary. We have sommeliers or wine educated sales persons in most wine shops, they really help you choose wine. I can walk in describe the food and my price range, then almost always get out with something good/perfect. They are prohibited to upsell alcohol though.