Eating out- Is it really worth it.

[chazt]

Now there is the rub. Minimum wage should be high enough to live off without having to work two jobs and depend on tips to make ends meet. Here the health benefit coverage is semi universal. By that I mean doctors visits and hospital stays/surgeries are covered but you have to pay for your own prescription drugs, dental and eye care. So that is less of an issue here but again a good job generally includes those coverages as part of the work contract.

Bob

Apologies to the OP for the rambling hijack…

We agree completely in regards to the minimum wage. Currently in NYC and surrounding counties the minimum wage is $15/hour. It will increase to $17 by 2025. A 40 hour work week will then provide an annualized gross salary of barely over $37K per annum. Take out taxes and other deductions, that is not enough for one person to live on. It’s my impression that the minimum wage has always provided a paltry existence. I earned $1.50/hour at 15. My first job was slinging ice cream cones at Carvel, a chain of soft serve ice cream yummies. I can count the number of tips I received on one hand. Still, I saved enough cash after six months to buy my first Martin guitar.

Here, when one has reached the age of 65, Medicare A covers the hospital portion. Then we must buy a Part B policy that covers doctors and other non-hospital related expenses. Part D if one chooses to purchase such a plan, covers prescriptions.

Mrs. chazt and I are retired NYC employees having worked for the department of education. Upon hiring we were promised that in exchange for lower salaries (compared to the private sector) our health benefits while employed and in retirement would be second to none (with the possible exception of members of the United States Senate); full and complete health insurance was guaranteed in writing. Now in an effort to trim $600M from the budget the City is trying to break that promise. They are trying to force us into a Medicare (Dis)Advantage plan (Part C). Our former unions have sold us out and are in cahoots with the Mayor’s office in this dastardly effort. You should also know that 1.1 million children can eat breakfast and lunch on the city’s dime, 12 months a year. I’m not suggesting denying children food, but do you have any idea of the waste involved with this? Sooo much food is thrown out every day! Further, our moronic mayor has floated the idea of paying for college educations for the recent influx of migrants, over honoring the city’s commitment to it’s former employees. Come on, man!

Well, retirees from all city agencies have banded together and are involved in lawsuits attempting to right this wrong. Sympathetic members of the City Council have just this past week introduced legislation to put past promises into law. Our collective fingers are crossed, but as of right now they don’t have the votes to pass the legislation into law.

Apologies again for the hijack.

 

[Smiffy]

Another point of view was given to me when I was in Australia in the 1990s. First meal there with my Australian nephew, we had good service and the bill was about $25, I made this up to $30. My nephew suggested I take the $5 back, some Australian waiting staff would regard any tip as borderline insulting, as if they would only provide good service for a tip.

I think that this has changed now.

 

[R181]

Another point of view was given to me when I was in Australia in the 1990s. First meal there with my Australian nephew, we had good service and the bill was about $25, I made this up to $30. My nephew suggested I take the $5 back, some Australian waiting staff would regard any tip as borderline insulting, as if they would only provide good service for a tip.

I think that this has changed now.

Similar experience as when in OZ about the same time period. We took a cab to the airport and I added a tip to the fare. The driver was down right insulted and said they made good enough money not to need tips.

Bob

 

[chazt]

It seems a matter of societal/cultural differences. My daughter has long said that as a general rule, European tourists don’t tip as generously (even occasionally not at all) as do American tourists.

When my wife and I traveled to Spain in ‘17 and UK in ‘19, waiters, bartenders and cabbies all appreciated our tips very much.

 

[Shave to the grave]

In 1994 I worked and lived as a jobbing carpenter/joiner in various towns/cities across the USA. I enjoyed my time there very much but the thing I remember most was how the local folk would prey upon unsuspecting tourists/foreigners, almost demanding a tip from them!
I don't think Europeans have the same attitude towards tipping. Thank God!

 

[Twelvefret]

I thought eating out was for relaxing and relationships? Carry out also is nice.

 

[chazt]

In 1994 I worked and lived as a jobbing carpenter/joiner in various towns/cities across the USA. I enjoyed my time there very much but the thing I remember most was how the local folk would prey upon unsuspecting tourists/foreigners, almost demanding a tip from them!
I don't think Europeans have the same attitude towards tipping. Thank God!

Yes, it’s very off putting when establishments and businesses suggest that tipping is appreciated, even offering suggested amounts (“but of course, feel free to tip whatever you think is appropriate.”) Lately there’s a new strong-arm tactic among many establishments. When picking up a take away (take out here) order; if you pay by credit card you intentionally have to manually bypass a suggested tip screen before finalizing the transaction.

 

[Shave to the grave]

Yeah it was pretty hardcore! I must confess I got caught with it in my very early days but wisened up extremely quickly!
Back then they were expecting tips that were more than my hourly wage. Criminal!

 

[R181]

Yes, it’s very off putting when establishments and businesses suggest that tipping is appreciated, even offering suggested amounts (“but of course, feel free to tip whatever you think is appropriate.”) Lately there’s a new strong-arm tactic among many establishments. When picking up a take away (take out here) order; if you pay by credit card you intentionally have to manually bypass a suggested tip screen before finalizing the transaction.

That is happening here too. They can file that where the sun does not shine.

Bob

 

[Twelvefret]

I tip 20%

 

[alex1921]

Well, not sure how things are in other European countries but in Greece an 18% tip is included in the price, at least that's what our menu said at the bottom of each page.
Years ago while at school I used to work during my summer break at a restaurant. When people left a small tip it was always appreciated but in general I got paid daily at the end of the shift. When we were busy we got paid more than what we had agreed upon with the owner but we didn't rely on tips. US is different of course.

 

[Blademonkey]

For many years we rarely ate out, but a few years ago decided to take out a widowed friend for Lunch. We often combined this with a trip into the country to find a nice venue. We found a few venues that served nice food and offered decent 2/3 course fixed price meals.

Then Covid kicked in and our trips out were ruled out.As restrictions were lifted we have made a few trips out.However, we have ruled out going to establishments which no longer have set price offerings,and generally Chains are not good value, and find eating at home preferable.
A rather nice local Chain, has intoduced Pizza Ovens, and we find food choice and Standard has dropped so they are off our places to go list.

I am not keen to use run of the mill places, and prefer to use places that offer fare that is not the norm.We have a a Steak Chain in Town, which started off nationally in a small way and was good- now poor quality overpriced offerings.

Do you think that Eating Out is rather overrated, and seldom matches what you get at Home. There of course a few Ethnic Restaurants which offer dishes that you normally do not cook yourselves.

My parents live in kent, ( Isle of Sheppey ) and since the lock down they have found a lot of their favourite eating out places have closed down altogether and now have far less choice, they still find somewhere to eat though, determined to spend any inheritance I might have had coming one day!


Paul.

 

[Chris]

I am generally opposed to tipping, I don’t get tipped for doing my job. If it’s voluntary and people feel like doing it fine, but it should not be expected.

The system in the US is broken when it comes to paying waiting staff.

 

[Blademonkey]

On the subject of tipping, I will only tip if the table service was excellent, it isn't always!
10 -15% of the bill should be acceptable, good service should be recognised imo, but of course it's totally up to you.


Paul.

 

[Twelvefret]

I tip 20%.