[|Zach|]

I remember reading a blog based on a book called "Manhattan Waiter" Based on a series of interviews of people who waited tables in NYC. Always foind some interesting stuff...a perspective from the other side of the table...

Some funny stuff...interesting stuff.

http://blogs.salon.com/0003612/2004/04/30.html

There is probably nothing quite as controversial as tipping. Some people do it, and some don't. Well, what I mean is that some people do it properly, and some people don't.

And I guess that's where we get into all the tipping drama, by attempting to define a "proper" tip. Most sources will say 15% - 20%, but some people tip more, and many Europeans tip less.

So let's listen in on Blummy explaining his thoughts on tipping. If you're just stopping in, Blummy works at a two star restaurant in the teens.

And by the way, today is Friday, so for those of you who plan to eat out...please tip!

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One thing I learned was never judge a book by it's cover. People are what they are. What are you gonna' do? Look at a guy and see if he's rich? Sometimes the wealthiest people are the cheapest bastards on Earth.

I find it's usually the blue collar people who tip the most 'cause they understand that you're breaking your back. However, depending on the restaurant...When working in higher scale restaurants, these clients are familiar with dining out on a current basis. They understand the role of etiquette, that you give at least 15-17, 20 percent. Some people just do 20 percent because they don't feel like doing the math. But some people...

And I always find it's the people you do extra for, that either tip you amazing, or tip you horrible. It's the average people that go undernoticed.

Tipping...I don't know. You win some; you lose some, but there's no way to go about it. You can't approach a table and pass judgement on them, because you just never know.

Sometimes the most demanding are the hardest to satisfy, so therefore, they are just never satisfied with you, no matter what you do, so they tip you less. It's usually the people who are demanding a lot from you, like up and out of the ordinary, if their friend who is eating with them pays for the check, and notices that their friend is being difficult and you are doing your best, then that person will tip you good. But the person making all these ****ing requests, they're just assholes. Ya know?

I don't know what's going on with them. Me myself, as a server, I sometimes find myself being nasty to waiters when I'm being served. Only when they make stupid mistakes, or if they underestimate that I know what's going on. And I see them trying to use, you know, some of that magic. That behind the scenes magic?

The average sheep, restaurant patron doesn't know what goes on behind the scenes. I do and that gives me the ability to see in different dimensions, through walls. And when I see them trying to put one over on me, trying to use one of the tricks...I don't like that. Slacking off, or doing half ass work, or ignoring my table. Just doing little things. I'm very picky, but when I get service, I tip a hell of a lot. If I get mediocre service, I give them twenty percent.

If you're gonna' work at a diner, chances are you're gonna' get shitty tips all the time. I work at a good restaurant where the check average is $90 to $100 per person. So what's a bad tip? What if a guy orders $400 worth of food but a $900 bottle of wine? That's a $1300 check. You expect him to give $260 in gratuity just because you opened a bottle of wine?

Give me $100 for that and I'll be happy. 'Cause right next to that is a two top that's only a $120 check and I made $24 on a twenty percent tip. So it's all about how ridiculous your mind works. If your like, "Oh, I'm entitled!" You're not entitled to shit.