busker

Tipping Point

Well judged inclusion by the editor of a letter from the grandly-named Theodore Eberspecher, hoping we "Don't forget to leave a nice tip".

In fact, I rather pride myself on nicely judged tips which is why my eye was drawn to read this impudent - not to mention slightly imprudent - offering.

But first a bunch of thorns in the direction of the Metropolitan Grill on whom so much praise is lavished.

For my brother's first visit to Seattle, he wanted to dine at the best so, seeing as how he was paying, I mentioned that the MG was highly spoken of among purveyors of steak.

It was among the most disappointing - nay, angering - insolent experiences either of us have had, starting with an unconscionable hour's delay in being seated (despite a phone check before catching the ferry). In fact, we got the distinct treatment of it being an honor to even wait, let alone being granted a table.

As we waited, we were treated to a highly inappropriate comment by a waiter on a passing lady guest, the evening capped by a disgraceful and audible telling off by our waitress.

When my brother finally decided to call it quits and have them bag the excellent steak to take home, he catalogued for the waitress why he was leaving no tip. In full voice, she explained how her tips were shared and how she would now have to pay out of her own pocket to reimburse the back room staff. An extraordinary outburst that also caused other diners to look away in embarrassment.

The same mealy-mouthed attitude oozes from Eberspercher's letter, and i have a mind to take up pen again and challenge him in the same arena.

TE's stance is that these promo coupons lower the price for us punters which then lowers the end sum on the total bill on which we are said to be used to calculating our "standard 15 percent" pourboire.

"Your server did the same amount of work for the total of the bill before the coupon as they would do without the coupon." Thank you for that lesson in observation.

He then gives us a lesson in mathematics, ending with the snotty reminder that, "It's simple restaurant etiquette that an unfortunate percentage of our community does not follow."

This is some nerve and his own words rebound on him more than any comment I can make.