Who knew, tips would generate so many comments? I love it. Everyone has valid points. It’s interesting to see what people will tolerate and remunerate.
In my books, if someone chose to be in the service industry (behind a bar, waiting tables or such), then they should act accordingly. When I did wait tables (in restaurant and bar) I knew I had to hide my true nature away for the time I was on the floor.
You see, my true nature would be to tell someone she was stupid when she proceeded to tell me the salt wasn’t fresh (this is not a joke, I’ve been told this by a lady in a restaurant!), but because I needed the tips (and the job), I smiled and said: “I’m so sorry let me go to the kitchen and get you a new, fresh one, right away!”. I did go to the kitchen, told the chef about it, laughed some and then changed the top of the saltshaker. I went back to that lady’s table, apologized again and said: “Hope this one will be fresher”. She salted her dish and thanked me: “Yes dear, I believe it is!”
I think that is when I realised, people are special (we all are!), but some are a little more than others.
I think it would be so cool if employers would start to apply pay cuts to employees who don’t perform the way they should. If someone messes up an order, or is often late to hand in their work, completely forgets something, the employer would apply a percentage cut on their pay.
If that was to happened, I can only imagine the incentive that would represent for many employees. That would go both ways. The clerk who super applies him/herself, and tries a little more to please the customer would also get a percentage increase on their pay.
Trust me, that would make a HUGE difference in the service we would get everywhere. No more waiting on hold for twenty minutes before talking to someone, or getting the wrong item and nobody is accountable for it. That would change the whole service industry, and I’m not only talking about wait staff. Imagine that… if only management would go for such an idea, but then again, I know that here, in Québec, land of unions, it would never work. Oh well, that was an idea... one can dream!
8 comments:
Plus that would mean supervisors would actually have to pay attention to their employees. I've noticed over the last few years that management in the service industry has gotten almost as bad as a lot of the servers.
Speaking of Quebec (were we?), one time I went in a restaurant in Montreal and asked the server something in English. He answered me in French. Luckily my 7 years of French allowed me to understand what he was saying (and respond in English), but is that common practice, to try to speak French when you think the tourist won't understand? :-)
If my supervisor actually did some work (get off her fanny) perhaps
we all could be team players.
In the U.S., the minimum wage for tipped employees was $2.13 an hour (I think it has increased some), and that's all non-union restaurants pay. Therefore, they can't go below the minimum.
In one of my lives, I was a public accountant for over thirty restaurants. "Managers" do little but babysit the help and the customers--otherwise, they are usually in the sitting position in the office.
Maybe you should move to South Park Arizona and open up a little cafe?
;)
Hugs!!
P.S. I always consider all the aspects of a restaurant experience. I usually look on the bright side since I'm not cooking or cleaning. And, after working in retail for 16 months, I know that nice people aren't the majority of people. Some people are down right rude and condescending to people in retail and the service industry. (My dad.)
Speaking of, I think you'll enjoy this blog: The Ultimate Productivity Blog
Marius: Oh but it would work both ways, i.e. for supervisors as well.
3c: I can't say if it's common practise or not, but when in Québec/Montréal, one must expect French. We are, after all, the only French speaking province.
Anon: Like I answered Marius, my idea would work in regards to management as well.
Charlie: Wow! Here, the min. wage is $9.00/hr and a lot of restaurants are unionised.
GEM: I'd love to, if only for the weather! ;-)
Barb: Love that Blog - thank you for that!
In Australia tipping is a bit different...we don't do it. Service staff get paid 'enough' (whether they do a good or bad job)
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