Going Out to Eat After Church

[saturneptune]

While I realize that this thread is about being a good tipper on Sunday, May I suggest that Christians should NOT eat out on the Lord's Day. You are actively supporting with your hard earned money, folks to work on Sunday and thus violate the Christian Sabbath. :jesus:

This is not just about being a good tipper, it is about Christians being respectful of the person serving, and not being rude and demanding as has become our reputation over time.
As far as forcing someone to work on Sunday with our money, or working on Sunday, well, that is a matter of opinion as to how the Lord viewed the Sabbath in the Gospels, and the subject of another thread.

 

[preachinjesus]

I have seen and heard plenty of church people acting foolish on Sundays when they go out to eat.

We don't put up with this kind of foolishness. Our staff will make it a point to say something about once a quarter or so from the platform. Something simple like "Hey if you're going out to eat after our services please make sure you are positive, helpful, and leave a tremendous tip. It is your Christian obligation."

I really think there are just some people who are mean spirited and so tight with money they come across poorly.

Our standard tipping is take the the bill, what is 10%, double it, round it. On Sundays we try to add a couple of bucks to the tip just to compensate for mean people.

I honestly don't understand high maintence people who don't tip well. Makes me mad.

 

[Revmitchell]

There is a common tipping etiquette in restaurants. It is a flat 20% of the check. This is what any server generally expects but often does not get. When restaurants add a gratuity to large parties they add 20% of the check. Anything else is discourteous and rude unless there was a problem with the service.

 

[Bob Alkire]

There is a common tipping etiquette in restaurants. It is a flat 20% of the check. This is what any server generally expects but often does not get. When restaurants add a gratuity to large parties they add 20% of the check. Anything else is discourteous and rude unless there was a problem with the service.

You could be correct, but I'm still in to 10 to 15 percent group. In fact I believe even Emily Post had 10 percent in her book.

 

[Baptist Believer]

You could be correct, but I'm still in to 10 to 15 percent group. In fact I believe even Emily Post had 10 percent in her book.

I know lots of people who believe just as you do.

However, in my opinion, I think we should be characterized by generosity, not just what is expected. Just as God has been generous with us, we should be generous with others.

I'm with RevMitchell on this (mark it down!), 20% is the minimum standard unless the server (not the kitchen) did not provide good service. I often tip 22.5-25% or more if I think the service was very good or there were issues that made us particularly difficult to serve (fussy child or baby crying) or a complicated order.

If I frequent a restaurant and I get to know one of the servers over a long period of time, they may get a VERY large cash tip on occasion (particularly during the Christmas season) as a thank you. Sometimes I'll leave an extra $20 to let them know we care. I've had the opportunity to share the gospel with a number of servers over the years by building a relationship and being generous with what God has given me. The servers will remember the tip and will usually open the door for that type of conversation at a later date.

 

[blackbird]

In the last ten to fifteen years, there have been several members of my family or other young adults I know who were or are waitresses or waiters. Every week, they will argue amongst themselves about who has to work the shift from noon Sunday until close. The reason is that groups of customers who come into restaurants after church are the rudest, most arrogant, demanding, and cheapest tippers among the general population either on that day or any other day.

At first, I thought it was an exageration, but after hearing it from several people, and seeing it myself quite a few times, it is a real phenomenon. Although a fact, I am at a loss as to understand why. One would think it would be just the opposite, especially in light of being a witness wherever we go. Does anyone have any explanation, or have you experienced this? What waiters do to the food of those who act like this is the subject of another thread.

Here's one way of looking at it---one would THINK that "fresh out of worship service" they would be willing tippers at established cafes--but see--thats when we are most vunerable for a staged fall from praise to cheap skate rude prunes---

Apostle Peter climed Mt Hermon with the Lord Jesus and got in on His glory----and within a matter of a moment---the Rooster was tattling--we say to ourselves---"Lord! I'll be a good witness--blah, blah, blah!" only to hear moments later in the cafe---"Cockel Doodle Dooooooo! Cockel Doodle Doooooo!"

 

[Bob Alkire]

I know lots of people who believe just as you do.
However, in my opinion, I think we should be characterized by generosity, not just what is expected. Just as God has been generous with us, we should be generous with others.

Please don't take me wrong, a little of what I'm going to say here is tongue in cheek. You are free to tip any amount you want.

You are also free to pay your employees 20% over what your competition is paying. That would be characterized being using generosity, directly.

I'm with RevMitchell on this (mark it down!), 20% is the minimum standard unless the server (not the kitchen) did not provide good service. I often tip 22.5-25% or more if I think the service was very good or there were issues that made us particularly difficult to serve (fussy child or baby crying) or a complicated order.

This isn't tongue in cheek now. I agree tip goes with service. When I pull off the road, I have up to a half an hour most of the time, sometimes less than that. Most of the time I'm having just coffee, and on that my tip might be higher or over your 20%, most truck stops coffee with tax is between $1.19 and a $1.59, I just leave 2 dollars. Not that I'm a big tipper but time is number one and if she gave good service she can keep the change, I don't have time to wait. And if I have a meal, it is about the same way, if it is $4.09 she is getting a better tip than if it is $4.49, but no matter what I leave at lease 10%. But if I wait much over 10 minutes for the coffee, I have to leave so service is number one to me.

If I frequent a restaurant and I get to know one of the servers over a long period of time, they may get a VERY large cash tip on occasion (particularly during the Christmas season) as a thank you. Sometimes I'll leave an extra $20 to let them know we care. I've had the opportunity to share the gospel with a number of servers over the years by building a relationship and being generous with what God has given me. The servers will remember the tip and will usually open the door for that type of conversation at a later date.

I ask my wife before I came into this subject and she said we aren't talking about the same thing, as far as eating out and she might be correct. We had a restaurant( she ran it) for about 15 years and for a single person or a couple 10 to 15 percent was correct. For a group it should be higher because of the lack of tables the waitress has to wait on. Two, I'm talking about eating not dining out, or that is her view. Three I'm talking about truck stops that aren't of the top places to eat.

I know this deal was about eating out after church, but tipping is what I'm talking about, not where or why I eat out or not.
But we will differ on tipping.

 

[tinytim]

This is not an imaginary situation, and it appears to be nationwide. What is the common thread here? Why is it when a group of Christians are put in this setting, especially right after a service, this kind of attitude emerges, just exactly the opposite of what is should be?

I think I have figured out the common thread....Across America.

First of all, I think ABCGrad is exactly right. Go back and absorb what she said about it.
I used to be a cook at a family restaurant, and NOONE could ask off on Sundays.. simply because it was our BUSIEST day.

Ask anyone in the Restaurant business and they will tell you the same thing.

Christians swamp the Restaurants on Sunday.

I think the common thread is simply the sheer volume of service that is expected between noon and 3 o-clock on Sunday. It is MUCH more than any other time of the week.

So, because it is sooo busy.. the cooks get backed up, orders start coming in.. in such a rapid pace around 12:30- 1 pm... it is unreal!...

The restaurant I cooked in seats about 150... and every seat would fill up about 12:30... with people standing in line waiting on a table. And the line would be unending until around 2:30...

Some would have to wait in line for over 30 minutes.. with children.. That already has the customer in an irritated mood.
Then combine what ABC said from the server's point of view...

Then the cooks are backed up. Imagine cooking for and preparing a nice plate for 150 people in 1/2 hour!... And the most cooks that could be on the line was 7 at one time, in order to be efficient, and not get in each others way. OH, and we practiced through the week for Sunday!... we would have trial runs, just so we got it right, because we knew the waitresses and waiters would suffer if we got the food wrong... and as a cook, there is NOTHING worse than an angry waitress!

So I think the common thread is simply the flood of people that overloads the restaurants between noon and 3 on Sundays... Restaurants cannot simply accomodate that many people efficiently.

Here are some ideas to help solve the problem...

1) Eat at home!
2) Go to fast food drive thrus..
3) Go when the Restaurant is least busy... Normally this would be a Saturday afternoon, around 2-4 or anytime on Monday.
4) IF you do go to a Restaurant on Sunday after church... DON'T GO if you are in a hurry, expect to be there at least 2 hours! with a LOONG wait on a table, then a long wait on your food... and be respectful to others... once you are finished, don't just hang around... GO HOME!... (and get that nap... you cranky person, you!)... LOL And servers are trained with certain phrases that are hints for you to leave when you are finished.. learn these phrases, and then LEAVE when you hear them out your server's mouth.

5) and this one is for the preachers... PREACH very LOOOONG messages, so that by the time your people get to the restaurant, the crowds are gone, and your church can then be goood Christians!

 

[Johnv]

20% of the ticket is the appropriate tipping rate for great service.

20%? Only if the service is absolutely phenomenal. I tip 10% for adequate service, and it goes up to 15% from there. I rarely tip only 10%, because the service is usually more than adequate.

I've tipped as high as 20%, but on rare occaision.

But to the OP, I've witnessed this frequently, especially when the church groups are youth. They haven't yet learned appropriate guidelines on restaurant etiquite.

BTW, I very much enjoy my table service meal time with family and friends after church. It's a great time to bond and interact with those we love.

 

[ccrobinson]

I found this about tipping.

We almost always tip around 20% and higher if it's a busier day like Mother's Day.

And servers are trained with certain phrases that are hints for you to leave when you are finished.. learn these phrases, and then LEAVE when you hear them out your server's mouth.

Help me out here, Tim. What are some of these? I've never worked at a restaurant, so I want to make sure I don't miss it if the server says one of these. Or, is it something that I couldn't miss it unless I was trying to?

 

[tinytim]

You will know them when you hear them, ... Some are obvious... like, "I'll be right back with your check."...

Or, if after your last course, they ask to take your plates. And when they take them, they make sure they take your silverware.

Or, when giving you the check, they say, "Have a nice day"... that means.. .get outta here, I need this table, and I am NOT coming back to offer you a refill!

Or the all time classic, "If there is nothing else you would like, I will bring your check."

 

[Salty]

Or, if after your last course, they ask to take your plates. And when they take them, they make sure they take your silverware. ... "

First, most waitresses do NOT ask if they can take my plate- they just take it - at least they try. I will put my newspaper over it or some other action. I do NOT like to sit at a table with out my plate - even if I am done. Of course I really get upset when they take my plate and there is still food on it.

Years ago, when I was single, I would go to a steak house on Sundays. I would stay for 3 or four hours - unless the place was busy.

Salty

 

[Edward 1689er]

The christians of the confederate union would like to say that I guess this means that "oBAMA" is king.

 

[Salty]

QUOTE=Edward 1689er;1489405]The christians of the confederate union would like to say that I guess this means that "oBAMA" is king.[/QUOTE]

what is the "confederate union? and what does that have to do with tipping?

 

[tinytim]

First, most waitresses do NOT ask if they can take my plate- they just take it - at least they try. I will put my newspaper over it or some other action. I do NOT like to sit at a table with out my plate - even if I am done. Of course I really get upset when they take my plate and there is still food on it.

Years ago, when I was single, I would go to a steak house on Sundays. I would stay for 3 or four hours - unless the place was busy.

Salty

Cute waitresses? LOL

 

[abcgrad94]

The christians of the confederate union would like to say that I guess this means that "oBAMA" is king.

What on earth are you talking about?

 

[tinytim]

What on earth are you talking about?

The christians of the confederate union would like to say that I guess this means that "oBAMA" is king.

lol...

 

[ReformedBaptist]

What on earth are you talking about?

No kidding eh?

 

[Edward 1689er]

What on earth are you talking about?

I think that christians should not be afraid of political discourse. That is what I mean. Thanks!

 

[Edward 1689er]

I think that christians should be a model of what is considered to be the best tippers. Thanks!