There's a rule made popular by Modern Drunkard that says "if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to drink in a bar. Go to a liquor store." This is a rule I generally believe in and try to live by. But events over the past several weeks have me asking questions about this.
On my way back from New York I was in a bar wasting time. The server was an outspoken man, in his mid-twenties, and while I was there enjoying my beer and burger he started chatting. In what was a horrific moment he began to complain about customers over the past several months who weren't tipping the amount he was used to. I was mortified, this sort of conversation is so completely inappropriate I finished my one drink and food, left a not-so-generous tip and left, certain I'd just be another point of evidence that people today are cheap because of gas prices and the economy in general.
Then there's been the other bars since then, the empty ones. I think most people understand Rule 28 and don't want to be the dick that orders his or her drinks, at happy hour price, and leaves with little tip left. I was curious enough at this that I've spoken with some bar owners to get some feedback, opinions, and right about now I admit I'm a bit befuddled.
Is it cool to cheap on a tip? Hell no. But is it so bad that we stay at home to drink bottled beer bought at places with shitty service and marginal quality? I guess I'm thinking about the owners of the bars more than I am about the servers, and maybe that's where my argument goes south, but I just can't help but think it's better to drink and be "cheap" (or economical) than it is to stop patronizing your local watering hole - be it a bar, brewery or pub. Is it cool to just order drinks, cut the food (eat at home), and call it a night?
I know where you're sitting this must just seem like an absurd post, but I'm really trying to wrap my head around things. I don't claim to have the answer and don't want to be used as an excuse for being cheaper than you need to be. If you can spare the buck, leave the buck... but then it all goes to pot for me.
I'll be thinking about this topic for some time, it's just the way my brain works. If you have thoughts or different perspectives, I'd love to hear them. For now I am leaning to supporting the bar to the extent possible (reasonable), especially if it's a small place that provides good beer and good service - it's a shame every time one of these closes because people stopped coming in.
I have to close with the reality check. If you're counting pennies to make rent or pay bills, then hopefully the answer is clear - it's only beer.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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9 comments:
Not an absurd post at all! I've pondered the same dilemma over the past few months:
I can eat at home and same money and gasoline. But if I do that, the fine people I know who own restaurants will be hurt, as will their employees. It's a dilemma!
The cost of drinking + tipping is a big reason I don't drink in bars and rarely go "out" for beer, save for brewpubs or breweries. I just can't afford it.
Unless an establishment is serving something I really want that I can't buy over the counter, special releases, or "draft only" beers - I do my drinking in the comfort of my home, or drink coffee or water.
The price of beer/wine/drinks anywhere that involves a server is exceptionally high, and getting higher all the time. It's a primary reason I don't go to many live sporting events - even when the tickets are FREE. I can't watch a game (any sport) without enjoying a beer - even tennis. It just goes hand-in-hand for me. Even macro-swill is expensive in these places (9 to 12 bucks for 16 ounces, depending on the venue). And if you're lucky enough to find something you like (Sierra Nevada, etc.) be prepared to pay $9 or $10 for a 12 ounce bottle. That's extortion.
I simply can't justify paying 5-8 bucks for a pint of beer that I could enjoy in the comfort of my home for a fraction of the price. Atmosphere be damned, it's still not worth it. Then to tip the guy who poured the beer a dollar on top of that - no thanks.
Bartenders and waiters that complain about tips, wages, rude customers, etc, need to check themselves. They chose to do that job, so quit complaining. If you don't like it, get into another line of work. You knew the risks. Listen, in my job I rely on profit sharing as part of my salary. When the company doesn't make a lot of profit for a particular quarter, my profit sharing is less. Do I complain about that? No. I do whatever I can to make sure the company makes more profit in the next quarter. That's how it works.
And sorry if I sound a bit dispassionate about these people, but I've been there myself. I never complained about shitty tips, I just moved on to bigger and better things.
Lastly, lest you should feel bad for these guys/girls - remember something else. They're hooking up on Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights like nobody's business. It's practically a fornication license, being a bartender.
So don't buy into the "Oh, woe is me" bit too much.
Rick - I don't think you should frequent a bar unless you are going to tip fairly (fairly meaning tipping for the regular price of a beer, for instance, rather than the happy hour price).
The brewery owners, supervisors, regular workers - basically everybody - I've been visiting in our travels all talk about the notion of a brewing team.
I think a good bar is just the same. The servers are at least at important as the owners.
If you are determined to support bars drink less overall (so not much at home) and put whatever the drinking dollars in your budget toward on premise.
Just my two cents.
Wow! Some great feedback on this - and differing views.
Stan and Maureen - I agree with you, I think, maybe mostly?
Phil - dude, love the ending on that comment.
I started to write a comment but went a bit longer than I thought. The abstract: Tip your servers appropriately. If your bartender complains to you about bad tippers that is in really poor taste and results in an appropriate tip for his behavior.
When the social contract, economics, and beer collide! My thoughts, in no particular order, are these:
1. There's a huge value to the community--not to mention beer community--of pubs. Drinking at home alone is cheaper, but you end up poorer if you do it exclusively. Pubs catalyze beer culture.
2. Tipping is one of those strange and wonderful aspects of culture. There's no law against not tipping, or tipping poorly. It's just an issue of the social contract. Personally, I tip religiously, because food service sucks ass and I appreciate someone treating me decently. But even if you wish to tip well, there are some solutions: go out slightly less frequently; go to places where a pint is cheaper; go, as someone mentioned, during happy hours when pints are cheaper. Sometimes I skip the food or order lightly to save money. A tip on ten bucks is more manageable than thirty.
3. Go with friends and buy pitchers. Buying in bulk can save you some cash.
Thems me suggestions. Good drinking. (And nice post.)
Jeff - I love the additions you made to this. Wish I'd thought to mention those myself. Yes, drinking with friends? A pitcher is a great way to go. Eat at home before hitting the bar, also a good tip.
Peter's long reply is posted on his blog: sacbrew.blogspot.com
Per my girlfriend, who is an ex-bartender, I tip $1 per drink. Obviously, if the brewmaster goes back to the secret stash and gets me something, a **censored*** may be more appropriate tip. However, perhaps an additional couple bucks would be a good second best in that situation. :)
It's all pretty simple really. If your server does an adequate to good job give them a decent tip of 10-15%. If they enhanced your pub/restaurant experience with their attention and friendliness.. tip them according. If you can't afford to hold up your end of the deal then stay home and look for things hidden in the back of your fridge. I also believe tips are exactly that....an indication and reward for the job you did. Good or bad. If you just sucked despite no reason that prevented you from giving good service...such as understaffed and/or just too busy.... then you deserve little compensation... And obviously the reverse has to be true as well.
The idea of drinking with friends to take advantage of pitcher prices is a good one. And eating at home is something that allows me to go to the pub more often than I otherwise would.
So that's my two cents worth ... perhaps I should have just saved it to help pay for that next pint and tip eh?
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