Morgans wrote:


"Jeff Shirton" wrote

And that's the *problem*.

This all boils down to a "cultural thing".

In the US, tips for waiters are the norm. In other places, it is not. Do
whatever is the custom in the area you are in.

In Europe, I had some of the worst service I have ever had in a
restaurant.
Tipping was not the custom, in that country. There was no incentive to do
a great job, IMHO.

I like it when you get to vote on the service you get, with your wallet.
It
makes me feel better, when the service is poor. When the service stinks
where there is no tipping, you live with it, and you leave. Period.

It seems to me the "cultural" part pertains more to the "culture" of the
restaurant than of the locale.

I get good service in most places, whether they are in Europe or here. I get
more bad service here in the US, but it seems more related to the people
involved and how the establishment is run than whether or not tips are
involved.

I will say that regardless of quality of service, politeness, as measured by
the use of the phrase "thank you", is much better in Europe. It's getting
to the point where I am now surprised when I hear it here in the US.

--
Frank....H