Chains. Better, worse or the same?

Oh gosh I remember that restaurant. We had one here in Atlanta. Couldn't you order a steak or a lobster and a seafood buffet came with it?

I met friends for brunch today at a Pappa's restaurant. It was an all you can eat brunch. The omelet stations had tip jars. So what, if you don't tip you only get half an egg? In my opinion having tip jars in the buffet line is extremely tacky. Originally Posted by Ansley

I think it is tacky as hell as well. I see them most often at omelet stations at the breakfast buffet in hotel restaurants. I mean I'm already paying 15.95 or whatever + tax + tip. Yes I said tip! Should I half the tip for my server because I already threw a couple of bucks at the omelet guy? Not to mention at a hotel I'm often not carrying cash....the advantage of the hotel restaurant is I can room charge everything.

I don't like tip jars in general (Starbucks, Subway), but the one I'm conflicted on is catered events (for example wedding receptions or corporate functions) where the bartender, where there is open bar, throws up a tip jar. On one hand some people will want to tip no matter what, whether it is altrusitic or for better service. On the other the bill at the end of the night already has an 18-20% gratutity that your host is paying that will be split by the serving staff including the bartender.

I think it is tacky as hell as well. I see them most often at omelet stations at the breakfast buffet in hotel restaurants. I mean I'm already paying 15.95 or whatever + tax + tip. Yes I said tip! Should I half the tip for my server because I already threw a couple of bucks at the omelet guy? Not to mention at a hotel I'm often not carrying cash....the advantage of the hotel restaurant is I can room charge everything. Originally Posted by atlcomedy

OTOH, I make an exception for Embassy Suites. Breakfast and made-to-order omelets are free, and I'm not adverse to tipping a buck for that service. At the end of the morning, the staff is probably splitting a hundred bucks or more.

I don't like tip jars in general (Starbucks, Subway), but the one I'm conflicted on is catered events (for example wedding receptions or corporate functions) where the bartender, where there is open bar, throws up a tip jar. On one hand some people will want to tip no matter what, whether it is altrusitic or for better service. On the other the bill at the end of the night already has an 18-20% gratutity that your host is paying that will be split by the serving staff including the bartender. Originally Posted by atlcomedy

I agree with you there. Years ago I used to tend bar at private parties. I could never bring myself to place a tip jar on the bar. I felt doing so, would not reflect well on the hosts.

I agree with you there. Years ago I used to tend bar at private parties. I could never bring myself to place a tip jar on the bar. I felt doing so, would not reflect well on the hosts. Originally Posted by Ansley

I think the tip jars are so commonplace nowadays they don't actually reflect negatively on the host but for me it is the principle of the thing. If I'm "hosting" you and you are my "guest" I don't want you lifting your wallet: not at the bar, not at the carving station, nowhere! I'll work out a deal on parking & if I could I'd build in valet tips I would, but I don't think anyone's ever going to stop valets from expecting tips....

I often dislike the personality of staff at chains, and am terribly annoyed at going to different cities all over the world and seeing the same things.

Chains can certainly have the aura of an independent business when they put the work into it - but few do, and when they do, it usually doesn't last.

Really at the end of the day, it's still individuals that own these places - whether it's a specific McDonald's restaurant or a small business eatery.

However, coming from a creative background, and from a culture of tradesmen, I like the idea of seeing people working for themselves - not a giant conglomerate. It creates an environment of a lot of staff, a lot of employees and not enough entrepreneurs. There is definitely an adventure to places that are started from someone's imagination, there are amazing small businesses of all kinds that get lost and forgotten amongst the familiar and easily accessible chains. I know people that don't trust a brand unless it is a chain.

I personally like supporting unique good quality businesses in hopes that they continue to succeed, be part of their local community and move their products/ideas forward. It's nice to go into a butcher and talk to the owner of the place at the counter, it's nice to go to the teashop and know the person who personally sourced everything in the store and make a suggestion only to find it on the shelf the next week. It's nice to go to my tailor and have a coffee with him and catch up on life before we talk about what alterations my suite needs. I love going into a dress store and being able to talk to the dressmaker. It's nice to know a cobbler who will create for me a custom made shoe for a price that I can afford. For me it's a matter of feeling connected to the people and places I do business with, and with the items in my home, remembering the people I came into touch with. I don't have that when I shop at chains, it's just another object, with an obscure person and place behind it that has no weight in my memory or in my life.

One can argue that any successful small business could theoretically become a chain...

There's no right and wrong, but in a world with internet, I like to find the little guy who has something unique and wonderful going for them, and be able to share the story when someone asks me where I got my cut of steak, tea, my dress, my shoes....

I don't mind tip jars, no one is insisting that you do and enough people go through there that they hardly process who is tipping and who isn't - I never found they care. I do know that anywhere I've seen a tip jar they've always been jobs where the people don't necessarily earn a lot of money, and some change out of my pocket doesn't affect my day or life. However the collection of change at the end of the day from all those that bothered makes a small difference in their day, and that's good enough for me.

And really, I earn a majority of income based on the kindness and appreciation of others. I'm am at the mercy of their good will. So I think it's only right for me to pass it on, as they too are counting on good will...

@LS

Word!

Small addition to my post:

The other reason I like supporting small businesses: I want to encourage youth to find personal success with talent - not everyone works well in corporations, not everyone can stand an office environment, the cookie cutter world is a claustrophobic coffin for some. Helping entrepreneurs become successful in their trade or craft gives other people hope.

Whether they want to be a metal smith that makes cool bracelets or a talented tailor that likes making their own style of clothing - I want them to feel there's a chance they can survive doing what they love and are good at, without having to settle for being a spoke in a wheel.

Curious? Do they still have a restaraunt in Houston called...Boston Sea Party? I went there in during college and it seemed pretty high end to me back then. But my perceptions were quite a bit different back then. But that was the first "white tablecoth" place I ever remember going to. Originally Posted by Rudyard K

OMG, I went there for my junior year’s Homecoming. I remember there and The Old San Francisco Steak House – with the swinging lady – as being kind of the same kind concept. You’re right; it was my initial benchmark of white table cloth. Though, I went La Tour d’Argent for my junior year prom. I might as well have been at Buckingham Palace.

I don't like tip jars in general (Starbucks, Subway), Originally Posted by atlcomedy

What annoys me about places like that (amongst others) is that the tip jars you speak of are tantamount to the company saying, "we are not prepared to pay our staff enough...so you, the customer, have to pony up too."
I am not averse to tipping for great service at all..but really what "great" service am I getting at the counter of starbucks or DD's?

C

Oh gosh I remember that restaurant. We had one here in Atlanta. Couldn't you order a steak or a lobster and a seafood buffet came with it? Originally Posted by Ansley

OMG, I went there for my junior year’s Homecoming. I remember there and The Old San Francisco Steak House – with the swinging lady – as being kind of the same kind concept. You’re right; it was my initial benchmark of white table cloth. Though, I went La Tour d’Argent for my junior year prom. I might as well have been at Buckingham Palace. Originally Posted by OliviaHoward

Well if was like Old San Francisco Steak House...then maybe it wasn't that High Cotten. But for me...at the time...I was in a bit of awe.

It was steak and lobster...it seems it was kind of buffet...but you went through several courses. I am remembering this all from some 30+ years ago though...and drugs and alcohol were involved...lol. I just remember eating there with a couple of buddies...we were having a really large night...and we left there and went to an all-nude strip club. Yep, we were quite a catch back then...lol.

Well if was like Old San Fransisco Steak House...then maybe it wasn't that High Cotten. But for me...at the time...I was in a bit of awe.

It was steak and lobster...it seems it was kind of buffet...but you went through several courses. I am remembering this all from some 20+ years ago though...and drugs and alcohol were involved...lol. I just remember eating there with a couple of buddies...we were having a really large night...and we left there and went to an all-nude strip club. Yep, we were quite a catch back then...lol. Originally Posted by Rudyard K

Ya it was high cotton for me too. For a long time in my life it all had to be high cotton. Now, I eat in taquarias as often as I eat in high brow places. I still like fast cars though.....can't seem to find middle ground there .

@CiCi -- I can't help but when I see you weigh in here...

There is a local/regional/national??? chain of pizza places with your name that are always on TV offering a full buffet meal for like $4 or $5... Originally Posted by atlcomedy

It's short for Cecilia, patron saint of music and also my maternal grandmother's name - one of the most exceptional women I've ever met. But I'm glad you got a kick out of it.