North American Tipping Culture vs the Rest of the World

[Bill Bumface]

I also really like having a real server. Sometimes the whole menu looks amazing, and I like asking someone to help me pick between a couple things. Interacting with people is generally a positive addition for me.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GomerPile

Have experienced this previously in Asia. Didn't love it. I think it takes away from the actual experience of eating out/felt like a McDonalds. McDonalds has also claimed the they needed to hire more backend staff, as people have no shame ordering 6 cheeseburgers from a machine vs a person.

Yeah, sorry, I like interacting with a person at a restaurant/bar. Fast food? Sure. But if I’m sitting down I want the full experience and that little bit of human connection. Yes it’s their job and I’m paying them so I understand it’s super transactional, but some places are made better by the people.

[Looch City]

Maybe restaurants need to have two separate sections:

1. Please me.
   
2. Let me please myself.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I also really like having a real server. Sometimes the whole menu looks amazing, and I like asking someone to help me pick between a couple things. Interacting with people is generally a positive addition for me.

I have the ability to pick the one gross thing on the menu.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I also really like having a real server. Sometimes the whole menu looks amazing, and I like asking someone to help me pick between a couple things. Interacting with people is generally a positive addition for me.

Enjoy it while it lasts because it’ll be changing to AI recommendations based on the most ordered items plus everything you’ve ever ordered anywhere. With dynamic pricing based on how much you generally spend on an item plus surge pricing.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by Looch City

Maybe restaurants need to have two separate sections:

1. Please me.
   
2. Let me please myself.

This would be a fascinating experiment. Same menu from the same kitchen, but two sides, one traditional server model, one self ordering. Make the prices on the self ordering side 10% higher to account for additional expo staff, but no tip and let the public speak.

I honestly wonder which side would be busier. It could be very situation based, for myself if I’m with people, I’d probably pick the self order side every time, but if I was away on a work trip solo for the week, I might choose to interact with a server.

But what an option to have available.

[5abi]

We’re at the banff park lodge right now and I was looking at room services, the menu states cost + 18% grarudity +4$ delivery fee.

Now that’s all no choice, just hard cost which takes their menu prices burger from 25-34.

That just doesn’t make sense

[GomerPile]

Originally Posted by 5abi

We’re at the banff park lodge right now and I was looking at room services, the menu states cost + 18% grarudity +4$ delivery fee.

Now that’s all no choice, just hard cost which takes their menu prices burger from 25-34.

That just doesn’t make sense

It’s like ordering from any delivery service. Skip the dishes/uber eats add on to the menu prices and add service charges. You pay extra to stay in your pj’s. Makes complete sense.

Would it be better if it was labeled “Extra comfort fee”?

[Sainters7]

I'm in France in 2 weeks, just looked at the exchange rate...yikes. Tipping not being a thing there is the only monetary advantage I can think of.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Looch City

Maybe restaurants need to have two separate sections:

1. Please me.
2. Let me please myself.

... just what kind of restaurants are you dreaming of going to?

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Buff

... just what kind of restaurants are you dreaming of going to?

The jerkoff joint and winebar fondue house.

[5abi]

Originally Posted by GomerPile

It’s like ordering from any delivery service. Skip the dishes/uber eats add on to the menu prices and add service charges. You pay extra to stay in your pj’s. Makes complete sense.

Would it be better if it was labeled “Extra comfort fee”?

I dunno, on uber tip is optional.

Sure the delivery fee, but tip is optional

Reminds me of vat

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by 5abi

We’re at the banff park lodge right now and I was looking at room services, the menu states cost + 18% grarudity +4$ delivery fee.

Now that’s all no choice, just hard cost which takes their menu prices burger from 25-34.

That just doesn’t make sense

Surprised there are still hotels that offer room service. Most hotels scrapped it over the last decade.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Surprised there are still hotels that offer room service. Most hotels scrapped it over the last decade.

What?
I have never been to a hotel without room service. Are you staying in motels?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by 5abi

We’re at the banff park lodge right now and I was looking at room services, the menu states cost + 18% grarudity +4$ delivery fee.

Now that’s all no choice, just hard cost which takes their menu prices burger from 25-34.

That just doesn’t make sense

That's all perfectly reasonable. The $24 is the same price as the dine in menu, so the product price is not inflated. They then add a delivery fee, which is reasonable, and a gratuity, which, given the nature of international visitors not familiar with tipping, is also a good policy. You know exactly how much the final price is, and don't have to work out a tip, or interact with anyone after you order, which, again, is good for visitors who don't speak English, and may have heard you need to tip, but have no idea how, or what that funny multi-coloured coin is worth in their own currency.

If you want you can order takeout, pick it up yourself, and avoid the extra costs(though you should still tip 10%).

So you do have a choice. Tip grinder denied.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

What?
I have never been to a hotel without room service. Are you staying in motels?

Searching Banff(the ave area) on Google Maps with and without the room service filter, it's 7 vs 32.

For Calgary downtown it's 13 vs 24.


A little surprised Banff is so low, but this is not in-depth research.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

What?
I have never been to a hotel without room service. Are you staying in motels?

… you solely 5 staring it out there?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

… you solely 5 staring it out there?

Life’s too short to slum it at the Days Inn

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

I'm in France in 2 weeks, just looked at the exchange rate...yikes. Tipping not being a thing there is the only monetary advantage I can think of.

Don't worry, tips are not expected in France.

The exchange rate has actually been a bit better right now since Trumps war in Iran.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

What?
I have never been to a hotel without room service. Are you staying in motels?

As of 2016, only 22 per cent of American hotels offered room service. And that number has declined further since the pandemic.

https://lifehacker.com/why-hotels-ar...-to-1848637783