Shalom,

— Prof. Leland Milton Goldblatt, Ph.D. ®

http://www.prof.faithweb.com
http://drgoldblatt.blogspot.com/

We are weaker because of the Iraq war! (The war based on lies.)

After all Jesus hates George Bush and is Pro-Choice. WWJD

After Christmas they took everything I had to offer.

Too bad that money is funneled to Tony Soprano in order for them to keep the route.

Minister, Music Specialists at Church, Office Cleaning Service folks, Barber, Primary Care Physician’s scheduler, Fellow Officers in a Charitable Organization, gifts as opposed to tip.

But here’s another way to look at it.

I have a client who is very high maintenance but she is wily. She makes impossible demands on our office all year long, then frequently makes her situations worse by not following instructions. The interesting thing about her is she KNOWS she a disaster client and tries my patience. She knows the way to my heart is to do something nice for my bride. She gives my wife wonderful, personal gifts, the kind that require thought and effort. She pretty well knows that’ll keep me from firing her for another year. That’s nice for my wife and pretty effective gifting.

Under your plan the owner would have to raise prices in order to cover what the servers would have made in tips, correct?

The survey is not a bad idea if it is not cumbersome. But I sure would not do a survey and still tip, that defeats the purpose.

Who the hell would leave a case of beer out by the curb by accident?

Someone who just finished the first case of beer?

Stevo,

You make reasonable points, but my fear is that if you eliminate tipping, your doomed to the type of service you get at McDonald’s. That wouldn’t make for an enjoyable dining experience.

I’ve mentioned here before an idea I had that would retain the incentive that tipping provides the wait staff, while switching the monetary burden to the restaurant owners. The owners would still pay their staff at a rate below minimum wage. At the end of the meal, in lieu of figuring out the tip, the customer would be asked to fill-out a brief survey. The individual staff members would then receive additional compensation from the owner based on their rating from each customer. I think most people would be fair in their ratings, since it isn’t their money on the line. And of course you’d still be free to leave a tip of your own if the service is superb.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

I tip very generously when I go to eat, usually 20%. And I usually give at least 15% no matter how good the service is. But I never feel right doing it. Why doesn’t the owner just raise the prices and eliminate the guesswork for both the customer and the employees?

I know, I know, tipping is a way you can tip according to the type of service you get. Whatever. How about you simply not go back to the restaurant if you have poor service? Lord knows Springfield is not short of places for people to spend their hard earned State coffer proceeds at.

I say eliminate the tipping, that way the customer doesn’t feel “pressured” to reward someone for smiling, writing down your order, and keeping your water glass filled. It also will eliminate the chances that the waiter/waitress will get stiffed by the cheap-asses in the world.

PayPal. I forgot about PayPal. It’s too late now, but I did make a donation in your name to the Human Fund.

Marie,

I’m usually up and about before five; my problem is that we don’t get trash pickup until after I leave for work at 7:30. Fortunately my wife was able to catch them this year. I’m leery of leaving cash filled envelopes taped to the cans.

Kathy,

I’m sure your sacrifice will pay off in the future. Don’t give up on the degree.

Manny,

Why so cynical?

Nancy,

A BFS party would be fun, or at least interesting. I’d like to see Monkey Boy and Mick Shrimpton in the same room.

Anon,

The fact that you changed your kids’ diapers, cloth ones no less, should excuse you from ever having to clean their cat’s litter box. Do they at least tip you?

Dave H.,

Yours is an interesting case. Are you sure he knew it was a gift to him (was their a bow or a card) and not left out by mistake?

If he did know, maybe Allied has a policy against accepting gifts, especially alcohol. Perhaps he is a recovering alcoholic, in which case you’re one cruel bastard. Or maybe he is morally opposed to intoxicants. If I were you I’d leave a little something from Penny Lane out for him and see if he takes it.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan