Level17TomatoSandwich's Xanga

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:06:15 GMT

Next time your out to eat, and every time you go out to eat, you should remember to tip well. Hell, just tip something. Let me break it down just a bit for you.

Now, I understand, whoever is waiting on you is probably just going to blow all their money and tips on beer and partying, or something equally undeserving, but you don't know that. (there is a good percentage of servers who blow everything they make in a night on going out to the bars after they work) But like I said, you don't know that. So, you should tip, and tip well assuming they need the money just as much as everyone else and they will spend it on good purposed things.

PERCENTAGES

Used to be, that 10 percent was a good tip. But, that's when my grandma was my age and going out to eat. Now a days, 20 percent is considered the norm, or relatively good. I'm pretty happy with a 15 percent tip as well. 25 is above and beyond, great dining experience. Inflation, the cost of living, whatever, this is how it is.
so like 100 dollar tab, 20 bucks tip.
or 50 dollar tab, 10 bucks tip
or 25 dollar tab, 5 bucks. etc etc...
(theoretically, your supposed to tip before the discount as well, so 100 dollar tab, 50 bucks worth of half off coupons, 50 dollar new tab, 20 dollar tip still, because you did just save 50 bucks, couldn't you still give a decent tip?)

A SERVER's HOURLY WAGE
Two dollars and 13 cents an hour. $2.13 (in texas atleast). That means if they work 40 hours a week, for 4 weeks a month, they make roughly 320 dollars a month. (after taxes, its less, and the tips get taxed to, so a 25 dollar pay check is common every 2 weeks) Yeah, that's the cost of your lexus car payment. So... it's safe to say, that the bulk of a servers income is based on tips.

RANDOM FACTORS that may or may not influence your tipping

1. Sometimes, the kitchen screws something up, something the server has no control over, or the bar, or somebody else. And the server gets the crappy tip for doing everything they could to help you out. Tip your server well, and then tell the manager to get the kitchen into shape.

2. If you can't afford to tip decently, don't go out to eat.

3. If something bad happens, and your food is messed up, or the server didnt get to you within 30 seconds of you sitting down, don't throw a hissy fit. Accept that the server may have made a mistake, and allow them to take care of you for the rest of the time.

4. Servers are trying to make it through hard times too. It's really not cool to not tip, or tip lightly just because YOUR trying to save and make it through a tough economy. If YOUR trying to save, don't go out to eat.

5. If you get terrible service, and the server just plain neglected you, and even after a manager's help you have crappy service, by all means leave less of a tip. Or, you could just leave a decent tip anyway.

6. Just don't be mean, regardless. I've ACTUALLY witnessed a server being called a every name in the book, especially the 4 letter ones. Oh and btw, she was totally on her game and being a great server. Unnecessary.

IF YOU WANT PERSONAL STORIES FOR PROOF
Ask me to tell you any number from the book of them I have. Here are just a few, real, truthful, no lie, honest tip stores for you.

1. I had a family's dad tell me that the soup bowl wasn't all the way full (the bowl was full). I explained it's measured out everytime with a ladel. He cussed me, told me to fill the bowl up like he said, and refused to have me wait on him. Because I was being polite and he just wanted more. No tip.

2. I had a table leave me 30 bucks on a 32 dollar tab. That's a 100 percent tip. They were servers from a different restaraunt.

3. I had a table leave me 0 dollars on an 80 dollar ticket. They were a party of 7. They took ALL of my time and energy and ran me ragged, and I didn't get any other tables because I didn't get a chance to breath. 0. I made 2.13 that whole hour.

4. I had a table rack up a little over 50 dollars worth of food. They walked their whole tab. Depending on the restaraunt the server works at, the server may or may not have to pay for that food. I had to pay their tab, in which I received no tip. I made NEGATIVE 15.00 dollars that night. (yeah I almost quit, but its that or no money for the next month)

5. I had a table complain about a coupon, receive double the discount, complain about food, get extra discounts, receive a 5 dollar tab, pay for it, and leave me 0.

I could go on and on..

Just sayin.. think about it next time your out.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:00:25 GMT

So, I was out for a run, running along some trail in this neighborhood, wondering to myself, if I would see some kind of wildlife since I was so close to the creek. After a minute or two of looking around, and intently searching, I gave up. Then, just as I was walking, catching my breath, I see a guinea pig! Sweet!..... Wait a minute, what the hell? What on earth was a guinea pig doing out here. Orange and white, sure enough, there he was off the trail eating grass. I suspected he was a lost pet or some such. I checked the telephone poles on the way home, but no missing ginea pig.

How's that for wildlife eh? lol

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:59:38 GMT

So, I always carry my cellphone in my right pocket. Well anyway... I have a twitch that happens every now and again, but basically, the muscles in my thigh twitch, like the cell phone is vibrating. Except it happens whether the cell phone is there or not. Kinda funny, kinda weird.

I watched 101 Dalmations last night. I still enjoy that movie. Also watched the Lion King the other night. I know it's probably some nastalgia or whatever, but those movies are such good movies I think. The early animated disney works are some of my favorite. They left such an imprint, I can remember just about everyone of them even today. We wore out those vhs tapes from watching them so much.

Got an all store meeting this morning at 9, then a double after that, so it'll be a long day no doubt.

Time

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:10:52 GMT

It moves too fast. What do you do?! Grab something and hold on!

I'm still working at the ol fridays. Waiting tables, making it happen you know. Business was good for a couple months there, but it's starting to slow down. I've worked a few lunches where I walk out with 5-20 dollars. Bleck.

I'm still enjoying the apartment with Chris. We work pretty well together as roomates. My only complaint is the construction in the lot next to our apartment, that started about 2 months after we moved in. And the little kids that run up and down the breezeway when they are out for summer.

I just got out of a 3 month long or so relationship. So, that's still pretty fresh. After being very opposed to dating someone, I took a chance. Some good things, some bad things, but it didn't work, so there ya go. Ahhh relationships.

Really not much else going on. I hate seeing folks i havent seen in a while, and I get to tell them I've been up to the same thing that I was up to when last we met. I don't know. It's probably time to stop screwin around and make things happen. *shrugs*

Peace. Seriously.

Gary's Movie Views

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:36:28 GMT

Edited: Sorry, for some reason I had Tim Burton in my head. *shrugs* I don't really pay attention to that stuff...

Coraline

Simply brilliant. Gary says, "Best thing since topped cakes!" Rolling Stone didn't say, "Amazingly cleverly tantilizing to the senses!"

But seriously, all in all, this movie was great. Tim Burton has such an imagination, you often think he's nuts. But I absolutely love what he puts on film. From creative characters to beautiful scenery, this movie is a must see, especially for Burton fans. I'm not a fan of the 3D anything. But, they do a lot better job now-a-days with it, and the glasses look cooler. Anyway.. the 3D was well integrated and came across fluently. This film has such rich imagery. A compelling storyline. And unforgettable characters. It has a few scary bits to it that might be disturbing to young childs, so be careful about that.

I give it a(n)

9.0 out of 10

Good day to you.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:32:13 GMT

Chris and I walked to Whataburger for dinner tonight. It started as a joke, because the roads were bad or whatever. Turned into a bit of adventure.

Regardless... it was cold. The walk back was worse (into the wind). It was kinda fun.

Walking places list...
1. Walked to pick up my car from the repair shop one time. Time about 1.5 hours, crossed a major highway intersection (360, I20, and also crazy big, slightly scary when your not in a car)
2. Walked home from Friday's when I had a flat tire. 45 minutes.
3. Walked to a friends house to feed/water/let out dogs, 2-3 times a day, for almost a week. 30 mins 1 way. Car was in the shop.
4. Walked to work from a friends house after being too drunk to drive the night before. 30 minutes. Car was at the bar.

And last... this one isn't me, but my dad.
His car broke down somewhere in fort worth and he walked back to our house in arlington. I think he walked for like 6-7 hours. Also.. it was pouring rain. Also.. that's awesome.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:24:26 GMT

Hello there...

Figured I'd update on the going's on's of my world.

Biggest thing is, I moved out of the guys house and into an apartment with my cousin Chris. This is both sad and a glorious event. It is a sad day that have left the Chateau, and there are many things I will miss about having the guys around, but, this chance to move in with Chris has been long awaited and it finally has arrived.

I'm pretty stoked about it still. It's only been 5 days, but so far the complex we moved into is pretty sweet. It's just up the road from the Chateau so still in Lewisville. Aside from the power being off today, which I found out to be a city problem rather than a complex problem, everything is going really well. We got a pretty sweet deal here.

Anyway.. in other less exciting news. Still working at the ol' friday's. It's picked up a bit, probably because of the holidays, but hey, I'm not complaining. So.. that's a good thing.

That's pretty much my world. Ha.. I got nothing else...
*goes to bed*

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:38:34 GMT

Look out for the terrible pipe-cleaner mini dragon!!!! *runs for life*
He's not so bad...

Anyway...

Friday, December 26, 2008

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:39:10 GMT

Sometimes...

you gotta take a look around...

and hang out with your peeps...

and keep your head just above water...

and reflect...

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:30:39 GMT

On a lighter note...

Check it out. This was my best friend Stephen (mohawk Steve) and Katie's wedding in Cancun that I went to. Some great shots, and probably the most beautiful wedding I've ever been too. The awesome.

www.morganlynnphotography.com/keating