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Served: The Ballsy Waitress
There appears to be just as much dissent as praise among these comments with quite a spectrum devoted to each. Let me say this:
When you work as a server, as I do, the whole purpose of your being at the workplace is to be friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to the needs of your customers. If you've read Hannah's previous columns, you're already aware that these features are what she loves about her job. I also work in a small establishment, typically only serving a few customers at a time. When the friendly exchange seems reciprocal throughout, I often wonder what happened when the tip is practically non-existent. Especially in cases where you've been complimented during the experience by the party on your service, you can't help but take it personally. You wonder what went wrong or what you did to upset them. You also wonder (frequently the case in "group" situations) if perhaps a mistake was simply made. Maybe everyone else in the group assumed that one person was taking care of the tip, etc.
I think Hannah was courageous to do what she did, though, keep in mind, that she also had the support of her management and co-workers behind her. There are numerous times that I wish I could have handled similar situations as she has here but I know that my employers would probably not support such an approach. NYC is a tourist market and this is a tough economy. It is important in that environment to learn how to appropriately inform guests not in the know of local customs. I recently had a group of guests from Sweden ask me straight out the amount they should leave as tip. It was terribly uncomfortably but I am glad I got through it.
Hannah, I think you're lucky to work in a restaurant that values the work ethic of their employees as much as yours.
25 Random Things about Food and Me
@brook29: I do the same thing (sort of) and I also didn't realize I was doing it until one of my parents pointed out that I "always" do it. Mine is more of a little side to side dance that my head and shoulders get in on.
In Videos: Ich Bin dein Gummi Bear
Call me crazy but I think the ear with the bite in it keeps changing from the right to the left. Scariest Gummi Bear Ever.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
NE Style Seafood Shack on the North Shore of Long Island?
Head all the way out on the North Fork for The Seafood Barge or Frisky Oyster in Greenport which is phenomenal. Bypass Lobster Roll, it's super touristy. I second Roanoke and Paumanok and don't miss Macari!
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
There appears to be just as much dissent as praise among these comments with quite a spectrum devoted to each. Let me say this:
When you work as a server, as I do, the whole purpose of your being at the workplace is to be friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to the needs of your customers. If you've read Hannah's previous columns, you're already aware that these features are what she loves about her job. I also work in a small establishment, typically only serving a few customers at a time. When the friendly exchange seems reciprocal throughout, I often wonder what happened when the tip is practically non-existent. Especially in cases where you've been complimented during the experience by the party on your service, you can't help but take it personally. You wonder what went wrong or what you did to upset them. You also wonder (frequently the case in "group" situations) if perhaps a mistake was simply made. Maybe everyone else in the group assumed that one person was taking care of the tip, etc.
I think Hannah was courageous to do what she did, though, keep in mind, that she also had the support of her management and co-workers behind her. There are numerous times that I wish I could have handled similar situations as she has here but I know that my employers would probably not support such an approach. NYC is a tourist market and this is a tough economy. It is important in that environment to learn how to appropriately inform guests not in the know of local customs. I recently had a group of guests from Sweden ask me straight out the amount they should leave as tip. It was terribly uncomfortably but I am glad I got through it.
Hannah, I think you're lucky to work in a restaurant that values the work ethic of their employees as much as yours.
25 Random Things about Food and Me
@brook29: I do the same thing (sort of) and I also didn't realize I was doing it until one of my parents pointed out that I "always" do it. Mine is more of a little side to side dance that my head and shoulders get in on.
In Videos: Ich Bin dein Gummi Bear
Call me crazy but I think the ear with the bite in it keeps changing from the right to the left. Scariest Gummi Bear Ever.
Served: Happy New Year
I liken Amateur Night in the bar and restaurant world to Black Friday in
retail: those in the know do not partake. Outside of the city, the scariest thing about New Year's Eve is having to get on the road for any reason with all of the unexperienced drinkers.
Since you're off for two days, you should get someone from your job to host a brunch for New Years Day. Dinner party + holiday brunch > broke + hungover. You are certainly making the right choice!
Exploring Eggnog
I learned how to make eggnog last year watching Good Eats, but this seriously looks like an awesome recipe as well. Bourbon is the way to go spiked.
Serious Eats Gift Guide: Books For Young Foodies
I love "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" so much that I decided to make the page where he takes a bite of everything the mural for my first baby's nursery.
Death of the Girl Scout Cookie?
As a former scout, I feel the need to also contribute seriously to this matter.
I don't remember doing much as a Brownie other than earning merit badges in outdoor skills (similar to the boys) and subjects, like reading or art, that suited my interests. I, however, remained a girl scout until I was 13 because, in a small town, there wasn't much else to do! As a Junior and later Cadet Girl Scout the focus is shifted from selling cookies to doing community service. I think this is where I may have picked up some of the leadership skills that scouting is supposed to be about.
In recent years, I've seen commercials sponsored by the Girl Scouts of America advertising resources for parents to get their kids interested in math and science. If cookies contribute to this cause, they should most certainly not stop selling them!
Served: What to Do When There's Nothing to Do
The comments for this particular column on this blog always end in readers taking nasty swipes at one another. Why is that?
What's up with the negativity SEers? In regards to the issue at hand in this post, I think we all know that people all over the nation celebrated on election night this year. Regardless of where you stand politically, this was an historic election which marked the end of an 8 year era of corruption, destruction and distortion in our government. Obama's win signified America's hope for change and this was deservedly celebrated in New York and all over the country by people in ALL professions.
The fact that Hannah happened to be working while the rest of the world was glued to their televisions was noted because it dealt with what she does for a living, which is what she writes this column about. I don't think she was trying to sway anyone's beliefs or put down/ turn off those who don't share hers. Am I right? Maybe now everyone can lighten up a bit :) .
In Videos: Stavenhagen's Food Pawn Shop with Steve Buscemi and Will Ferrell
Kinda strange...what is this from?
Death of the Girl Scout Cookie?
But Girl Scout cookies help to stimulate the economy! Just when you think you've spent all you can possibly stand the grocery store, you walk out to a table of adorable scouts baiting you to buy their Thin Mints.
In Videos: Sashimi Song by Keyboard Cathy
Gotta love Asian fusion served up with a side order of crazy.
Alton Brown Is the New Face of Welch's Grape Juice
*cough* sell-out *cough*
Blood Sausage Gang Sign
the meatloaf mafia had best watch their backs.
'New York Times' Dining Roundup
Serious Eats is so far from pretentious! I believe I've read reviews here for $1 fried chicken stands and the like. Just because the only picture of a torso posted on this site would probably be part of a cake does not make SE a beacon of food snobbery.
My Secret Love for Grape Candy
Grape Tootsie pops = awesome. I get a bag of Tootsie candy every year to hand out after I pick out all of purple pops.
In Videos: The First McDonald's Commercial
As if clowns weren't already scary enough.
Served: Every Night Waiting Tables
This weekend a bunch of girls walked (re:stumbled) in celebrating a birthday party. They made sure all of us knew they were celebrating. Hurray for us.
One of the cuter members of our staff went over to explain the wine flights to them. Perhaps you have noticed this: I don't know what it is about women who are a certain size, but they always seem to overcompensate for either being too tiny and thin (by being way too loud) or being overweight (sometimes by being loud or obnoxious). So he says to them, " all the wines in this option are going to be a bit fuller bodied." This prompts the biggest, drunkest girl in the group to response, "do you prefer fuller bodied?" while feeling herself up. All of her friends laughed hysterically while he announced he was taking his break right in front of them.
Red Wine Headache- sulfites, histamines or ??
I have often wondered about this when people claim that they avoid reds because they are "allergic" to something in them. The more common side effect I hear people complain about is that they "get all red" in the face and feel feverish after drinking red wine. This does sound like a more plausible allergic reaction than getting a headache.
As for the headache people (I've met several at work but don't know any personally enough to ascertain as much), I can't help but wonder if the problem is the typically higher alcohol by volume in red versus white. My assumption has always been that RWH people have suffered the malady once and aren't big drinkers, likely the type to steer clear of hard liquor but possibly drink one beer on occasion. So, yeah, this is a long winded way of saying that maybe it is a matter of quantity.
Should Women Get Special Treatment at Restaurants?
Call me blonde, but I've absolutely never noticed this. Call me a New Yorker, but overt displays of chivalry kind of turn me off.
Served: My Waiter Peeves
Because I am basically a bar tender (albeit, one who only pours/ talks about wine), I almost never give out my name. Sometimes customers are directed my way by other employees who give out my name and I don't mind this at all. I am on a first name basis with nearly all of our regulars, and often if we've had a good time chatting, customers will ask my name and introduce themselves right before they leave.
The "name-as-weapon" people are usually easy to spot: they ask for my name upon first interaction, repeat it each time I am serving them or checking on them and inevitably use it to call me from across the room. Not to generalize, but it always seems that the "type" who do this are older, gregarious men who embarrass their families by treating the help this way. I cringe when I see and hear them when I am out at restaurants.
Anyone watching the Batali/Paltrow show on PBS?
Given Gwenyth's reaction to the partridge, I'd say she's probably an all organic eater. I read an interview with her where she talked about cooking mostly vegetables at home and tending to her own garden.
I can't imagine what this show would be like w/ out Claudia and Gwenyth. I agree w/ PerkyMac: the men seem to be posturing their knowledge left and right and that doesn't make for a very audience friendly travel show.
What's the Best Cheese for Cheeseburgers?
It has to be French Doux de Montagne cheese. It says so here Pork cheeseburger with avocado :-)
The Bacon Hamburger Fatty Melt, a Bacon Burger with Two Bacon-Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwiches as Bun
mini-barf, but what a tasty mini-barf indeed...
The Bacon Hamburger Fatty Melt, a Bacon Burger with Two Bacon-Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwiches as Bun
Oh my, WHEN are THEY going to come up with that magic pill? Can you imagine this creation with a side of fettucine Alfredo?
Served: Every Night Waiting Tables
This blog is great!! Check out www.stuckserving.com for similar stories!!
My Secret Love for Grape Candy
Thank you for this post! It made me smile from ear to ear. I just found Batman themed Airheads at Target yesterday, which included a grape flavored bar. I was thrilled beyond belief and trying to find an excuse to go back so I can buy 10 bags of Airheads just to get the one grape!
How was your school's hot lunch?
@tvilov, perhaps you would be better off not knowing.
How was your school's hot lunch?
I attended Oakland High School in Oakland California in the late '50's. The lunches in the school cafateria were not really that bad. In particular I liked the hamburgers, they had a very distinct taste, a taste that I have not found in any hamburger I have eaten since. Something was added to the hamburger meat during preparation to give it the distinct taste, I suspect that it was a condiment but to this day I have been unable to recreate the taste. I have been looking for information on a cookbook that the Alameda County public schools may have been using at the time, perhaps it would have the recipe for the hamburgers.
Death of the Girl Scout Cookie?
I have as long as i can remember been a fan of girl scout cookies. i had different ways of eating the specific type; samoas in the fridge or even freezer, thin mints, with milk, bite opposite ends of the cookie off just a bit, and suck the milk through the middle...the cookie got soft and milk soaked, and the coating kept it whole, and when you popped it in your mouth and chewed it...WOW, same way for tagalongs...A signifigant part of me is saddened by the thought...but i offer an alternative for interested parties.
Come see what i have been up to in the kitchen. I keep tabs with the newsletter and love it, it gives me brief respite from the day.
Everyone for your consideration, i humbly and thankfully give you
NOMS, Inc. http://www.show-notes.com/chefjohn/noms.htm.
The Phaal Challenge at Brick Lane Curry House: Spiciest Curry Ever?
My sister and I did the P'haal challenge today. We each finished in about 20, maybe 25 minutes. She was sweating and her eyes were tearing. I didn't sweat but I actually had two bouts of dizziness, my hands shook a little and my ears clogged up for about two minutes towards the end. But we got through it pretty easily. Our trick was not to touch the water or any drink at ALL. The only thing we added was maybe 1/4 of the rice bowl.
MY trick was to save the chicken for the end. The sauce did NOT soak into the chicken and by the end the temperature had gone down considerably, so the chicken almost had a cooling effect.
I do NOT recommend anyone does this at the 53rd St. location - they don't have a liquor license so they gave us a coupon for a free beer...which we can redeem down on 6th St. So we have to go to the Village anyway. That was a big disappointment. They also didn't take our picture - we have to email it to the guy in the Village.
The Bacon Hamburger Fatty Melt, a Bacon Burger with Two Bacon-Stuffed Grilled Cheese Sandwiches as Bun
If I had any bacon left, I'd do this idea tomorrow for lunch/dinner. As it is, to really put the topper on it, I had a few ideas on how to make this really nice and unhealthy.... first, take a page from the burger with the cheese ooze core... stuff some cheese in the burger as well! maybe chop up some bacon to mix in with the meat too. Next, gotta add some mayo, then slap a fried egg in there as well. If you're still alive and not on your way to the hospital after the first bite, then I'd applaud you, but you may want to have someone ready just in case.... in case you take a second bite.
NE Style Seafood Shack on the North Shore of Long Island?
Land and Sea! The best price for a boiled lobster dinner anywhere:
http://www.landandseafish.com/main.html
The Phaal Challenge at Brick Lane Curry House: Spiciest Curry Ever?
Do they make the Phaal vegetarian?
Served: Every Night Waiting Tables
This is a great blog, you should also check out www.86BadTips.com
Anyone watching the Batali/Paltrow show on PBS?
I am currently watching the show (just for the food and scenery really)....and I have to say "I love and understand all of your comments". Nice to see that others can see through the pretentiousness.
I also remember seeing that episode on Oprah where they cooked the paella..I was so mad. If you are going to try and teach people something at least try and do it right. Argh....makes me mad! Who in their right mind would cook the prawns before the rice. Dios Mio!
That being said Spain sure is amazing. I was a Nanny there when I was in my late teens and it was great. I just wish I appreciated food then like I do now. If anyone wants it, here is a recipe for the tortilla de patata (which I learned to make when I was there) http://rouxbe.com/recipes/77/text - this was my all time favorite thing to eat while I was there....so yummy!
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
Hey, late to the party, but I have to say, the original of what J would say - "Hey, was everything okay?" (paraphrased) made me sit up and think of all the times I could have used that. What you wound up saying gives me pause if only because you directly say "Is this all you meant to leave?" which can put people on the defensive... otherwise, bravo!
PS Carding people made me uncomfortable initially as well. Eventually I got to know the signs of underage drinking fairly well, and if I did card you, it was a signal to the boss that there was an issue... We had to throw a guy out who seriously looked like he was going to reach over and punch me (!!!) for carding his - I SWEAR SHE LOOKED 12 and COULDN'T be more than 16 at most! - mistress. It was really disturbing because he was like 35 or 40 - not OLD, but uncomfortably old to be dating a girl who not only look to be just entering puberty but apparently was under 21 as she did not have ANY ID on her. Ick.
Alton Brown Is the New Face of Welch's Grape Juice
Remember when the Welch's spokesperson was Pebbles Flintstone?
Anyway, I respect Alton Brown and I really don't think he'd endorse something that he doesn't personally believe in. I'm allergic to concord grapes, so so grape jelly, jam or juice. If I wasn't, I would be influenced to buy it because AB says it's good for you. He was the person who actually explained WHY high fructose corn syrup is so bad for you. Ever notice them playing that "it's all good in moderation" commercial during Good Eats? I wish Food Network wouldn't support THAT!
Served: Every Night Waiting Tables
^^Which means you're kind of a tool. Do you realize that the base wage for many servers is around $2.33 per hour?? What we take home in tips is what we earn. It's not like we're making 8 bucks an hour and your $10 is just an added bonus.
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
@Duncan 1205...what happened then???!!! Fill us in...
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
I think the time has come for waiters and waitresses to get paid a salary instead of having to 'beg' for tips. And don't tell me restaurant owners don't make enough money to support doing this. I know what the markups are. Instead of telling customers not to dine out if they cannot afford tipping, tell restaurant owners to close shop if they cannot afford to pay their staff!
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
@minonda, i would like to know what, specifically was mean-spirited or petty about my comment. Furthermore, i would like to point out that volunteer firemen (as many of them are) do not get a regular salary, benefits, or vacation days. I am *much* more grateful for the service they provide than the person who takes my order and brings food to my table. I would argue most people would agree with me on that.
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
Federally Mandated %10% WHAT??? I have been in the biz 30 years and have never heard of this. If that were true, half the country would be in jail. Any links?
IMHO, the risk of upsetting/embarassing/infuriating a customer is not worth the reward of an extra 3-5-7 bucks on one tip.
Regarding the folks who don't see asking for ID as a courageous thing, let me assure you it CAN be. 98% of everyone, even the just turned-21 crowd, is OK with an ID check. The other 2% can have a reaction ranging from open hostility to violence. I have witnessed shouting matches, threats and more over a simple ID check. Some people carry the attitude "I don't have to show my damned ID to anybody, now get me a drink!" Witness how many shootings occur because someone was denied entrance to a bar or restaurant. A guy I knew fairly well was killed here in Las Vegas in the mid-1980's who worked as a host for a bar/restaurant/nightclub place and it was over an ID check. One guy in a party of about 5 did not have an ID; his friends were going in anyhow. He gets mad, goes to the car, gets his 38 and kills the host. (Interesting this chap, who turned out to be 24, had his gun handy, but not his driver's license.) The point is when you ask for ID, some people get REALLY offended.
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
WOW. There is a lot of pent up anger over the tipping debate, but I would have to agree with Hannah on this one. Servers make a substantial amount LESS than other fields and regardless, they are there to SERVE you. Take your order, bring you food or drinks, grab the check, etc. This is usually what I base a standard 15-20% tip on. If the server is exceptionally friendly, fun or even throws in something useful (a round of drinks, great info about local happenings, etc) then I up it to 25-30%
Nothing pisses me off more than when people talk down to servers, boss them around, stay on their cellphones while ordering, or expect incredibly high demands without paying for it. Servers do not equal servants.
If you can't afford the tip, just don't want to pay up, or take the menu the way it comes, stay home.
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
If the customers had made an error and tipped too much, would you have brought that to their attention as well?
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
@wannabetvchef I'd like to know where you heard of this "federally mandated 10% gratuity" because I have never heard of it and it smells like BS. Links, please.
Served: The Ballsy Waitress
@mh330 - out of all the mean-spirited and petty comments that this post has elicited, yours has to be the meanest and the pettiest. Sure, people in other lines of work work harder and more is asked of them in terms of physical effort or risk, and education or some other qualifier, but please recall that these other people are compensated fairly and receive benefits such as paid vacation, holidays and health insurance. Servers get none of this, and if they are to get any kind of decent wage, must rely on the whim of whoever they serve, sort of like a seller on ebay needing good feedback.
I don't really support what Hannah did, because she said herself, the big tips even out the loss of the small ones, and generally a server does not get that many poor tips. But your cold response, and your attitude toward servers, makes me cheer for her and all the others who have to serve people in order to make a living.
People like you make me glad I'm no longer a waitress. And I got great tips.
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About liwinegirl
Location: liwinegirl
About: After graduating with my master's last year, I proceeded to look for a teaching job...and I am still looking. For money, I tutor, sub and work at an awesome family run vineyard on the North Fork of Long Island.
Favorite foods: Where to begin?
Homemade pizza, baked pastas, salmon, sirloin steak, sharp cheeses, tomatoes, roast chicken, mussels w/ crusty bread. It goes on...
Last bite on earth: My dad's meatloaf.
Head all the way out on the North Fork for The Seafood Barge or Frisky Oyster in Greenport which is phenomenal. Bypass Lobster Roll, it's super touristy. I second Roanoke and Paumanok and don't miss Macari!