Originally Posted by
aa213bb
You do realize the points I've bolded have absolutely nothing to do with the efforts and attitude of your server, right?
If you do not like your proffered table, the time to correct this is when first being seated -- something most often done by the Maitre d' or a Host/ess. Just ask; I did this just this evening and was moved to a much more pleasant location.
"Off" wines would only in the rarest of occasions be attributable to your server; the sommelier or GM would be the one to address this.
And as for a "less than acceptable meal", why would you hold a server responsible for the efforts of the kitchen?
I don't mean to direct these at you in particular, Swissaire, yours was just the most recent post.
In the context of the original post regarding inclusive gratuity, we don't agree. Your good experience this evening just does not apply to all cases.
The server is an extension, or representative of the restaurant, good or bad. I do not suggest punishing the server for a bad meal: In fact, it is my point to avoid that by negating automatic gratuities in a bill. Allow me to explain.
By your logic, the "automatic tip" included in the receipt would be sustained and thus paid without comment, if the evening was good or bad. Furthering that logic, that gratuity automatically goes to the " house " or restaurant, and not specifically to the serving staff.
You cannot dispute an automatic gratuity inclusion by discourse with the Maitre d', then the Sommelier, then the Executive Chef, right down to the dishwasher. Monty Python comes to mind. I just doesn't work.
In many instances, the server actually is the Hostess, Bartender, and Sommelier.
In ideal circumstances, one could ask for another table ahead of ordering. However I can recall many instances of being seated by a hostess only to find 30 minutes later a unwanted distraction immediately nearby.
I saw that this year in North America at a Birthday celebration for two elderly people in their '90's in a party of 20. Although other joined tables were 50 % unnoccupied, the server when informed of the loud music versus the party, quietly walked away. ( Yellow card ).
When pressed again by the couple whom had reserved the affair, and thus were paying for the afternoon, both were told simply by the same server " Sorry: Either on the terrace, (where we already were) or in the Bar. " ( Red card ).
To everyone's credit, we remained and made the best of it. The loud music played on, 3 metres from our table. The hostess could have done her homework much better with the reservation by thinking things out, the server could have done a better job in repositioning the party, but no attempt was made that I observed. Zero.
But the automatic gratuity was included, and as far as I saw paid. But for good service and a memorable afternoon ? No.
Why bother ? There is no incentive to perform as a professional with an automatic gratuity added to the bill.