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This is a question of the restaurant's culture, not an inevitable result of not tipping. I went to a prominent no tip restaurant in New York, and I've never exp

by rquantz 13y ago

This is a question of the restaurant's culture, not an inevitable result of not tipping. I went to a prominent no tip restaurant in New York, and I've never experienced better service. The servers were warm and friendly, so every interaction them felt human, but they somehow managed not to interfere with the meal at all. They knew when to stick around so we could ask questions, and they disappeared as soon as we didn't need them. But I'm sure a lot goes into creating that kind of service. Adding or subtracting tipping is one of many variables.

rm999 13y ago
I totally agree with you that bad service is not inevitable from no-tipping - some of the best service I've ever gotten has been in countries without tipping. And I do think The Linkery had particular issues, especially with the way it was managed. But I left feeling the lack of tips enabled poor service. I personally am uncomfortable with the concept of tying someone's pay to an arbitrary decision, but a small or zero tip sends a very strong message to a server in a targeted way. I think it's hard for a manager to micromanage service; the way they can do it is pretty inelegant and probably often inefficient. The manager could have fired the waiter, but maybe he was just having a bad day. The manager could have cut the waiter's hours, but that doesn't fix the issue. Also the manager likely doesn't hear about a lot of issues that go on - many people prefer not to complain except in the most extreme circumstances.
- corresation 13y ago
  but a small or zero tip sends a very strong message to a server in a targeted way Such a system is completely broken- -servers simply write off people who leave small or no tips as cheapskates, and... -cheapskates do take advantage of this to take offense at all opportunities and save themselves a tip, leading to an vicious circle. It all just leads to an unfortunate cycle of assumptions and posturing. Getting rid of it would be fantastic.

by rquantz 13y ago

rm999 13y ago

I totally agree with you that bad service is not inevitable from no-tipping - some of the best service I've ever gotten has been in countries without tipping. And I do think The Linkery had particular issues, especially with the way it was managed. But I left feeling the lack of tips enabled poor service. I personally am uncomfortable with the concept of tying someone's pay to an arbitrary decision, but a small or zero tip sends a very strong message to a server in a targeted way. I think it's hard for a manager to micromanage service; the way they can do it is pretty inelegant and probably often inefficient. The manager could have fired the waiter, but maybe he was just having a bad day. The manager could have cut the waiter's hours, but that doesn't fix the issue. Also the manager likely doesn't hear about a lot of issues that go on - many people prefer not to complain except in the most extreme circumstances.

corresation 13y ago
but a small or zero tip sends a very strong message to a server in a targeted way Such a system is completely broken- -servers simply write off people who leave small or no tips as cheapskates, and... -cheapskates do take advantage of this to take offense at all opportunities and save themselves a tip, leading to an vicious circle. It all just leads to an unfortunate cycle of assumptions and posturing. Getting rid of it would be fantastic.