Tipping

[GeorgiaGreek]

I think it really depends on the kind of place you're getting to-go from. I worked at a restaurant as a hostess/to-go person/occasional busboy and I would just take the orders over the phone, and package them up for the customer.. I never thought I should get a tip because it was part of my job. While at some places I guess there is more involved (although unless you're cooking the food too, I'm not sure what else you'd be doing other than taking the order, boxing it up, and ringing up the customer), at a lot of places there isn't, so people don't tip.

About the baby thing: Even if your baby is the most well behaved child in the world, the server has probably seen 15 other demon babies who have screamed and cried the entire meal before your party came in. It's not an excuse to be rude by any means, but when most of the babies you've dealt with have been terrors (and if you're a teenager and aren't that fond of babies yet), it's not your first reaction to make sure you say hi to the baby. Just giving the other perspective on it

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

I think it really depends on the kind of place you're getting to-go from. I worked at a restaurant as a hostess/to-go person/occasional busboy and I would just take the orders over the phone, and package them up for the customer.. I never thought I should get a tip because it was part of my job. While at some places I guess there is more involved (although unless you're cooking the food too, I'm not sure what else you'd be doing other than taking the order, boxing it up, and ringing up the customer), at a lot of places there isn't, so people don't tip.

About the baby thing: Even if your baby is the most well behaved child in the world, the server has probably seen 15 other demon babies who have screamed and cried the entire meal before your party came in. It's not an excuse to be rude by any means, but when most of the babies you've dealt with have been terrors (and if you're a teenager and aren't that fond of babies yet), it's not your first reaction to make sure you say hi to the baby. Just giving the other perspective on it

I had no idea what age kids were supposed to do what when I waitressed in college, but I always at least asked if they needed anything for the baby (water for a bottle, milk, juice, napkins....anything). I'm pretty sure that's all kddani is expecting.

[GeorgiaGreek]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I had no idea what age kids were supposed to do what when I waitressed in college, but I always at least asked if they needed anything for the baby (water for a bottle, milk, juice, napkins....anything). I'm pretty sure that's all kddani is expecting.

I guess when I was working (as a hostess though, not a waitress; I never took food orders except to-go) because the parents always seemed to have stuff for their babies. It was rare to see a little kid without a sippy cup or cheerios or something, probably because it was a Mexican restaurant and most parents didn't want to give the baby food that could upset their stomach, so they brought from home.

[crusse10]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

I guess when I was working (as a hostess though, not a waitress; I never took food orders except to-go) because the parents always seemed to have stuff for their babies. It was rare to see a little kid without a sippy cup or cheerios or something, probably because it was a Mexican restaurant and most parents didn't want to give the baby food that could upset their stomach, so they brought from home.

That's brilliant. Next time someone wants to go to a Mexican place, I should bring cheerios. My body hates me when I eat Mexican

[kddani]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

About the baby thing: Even if your baby is the most well behaved child in the world, the server has probably seen 15 other demon babies who have screamed and cried the entire meal before your party came in. It's not an excuse to be rude by any means, but when most of the babies you've dealt with have been terrors (and if you're a teenager and aren't that fond of babies yet), it's not your first reaction to make sure you say hi to the baby. Just giving the other perspective on it

I wasn't even talking about a first reaction - I certainly don't expect that. But if you go through the entire meal without even looking at her and smiling, it comes across as pretty rude. I don't expect people to play peek-a-boo with her, but if you act as if she isn't even there the entire meal, that's rude. Especially in a service industry.

[SWTXBelle]

My younger daughter is a waitress who gets great tips and feedback because she goes above and beyond with families - having brothers 10 and 12 years younger than herself means she has mad baby amusing skills!

[crusse10]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

My younger daughter is a waitress who gets great tips and feedback because she goes above and beyond with families - having brothers 10 and 12 years younger than herself means she has mad baby amusing skills!

My niece being 11 years younger than me set me up pretty well. This past Sunday morning, while still a tad bit hungover, my 2nd table was 15 people, 8 kids. At the end of the meal the parents told me they had a bet as to whether I had kids of my own or was just an uncle. They said I was one of the best waiters to ever take care of them, and they tipped accordingly. For how I was feeling that morning, you should have heard the anger that was going through my head when they sat down...haha

[crusse10]

Originally Posted by kddani

I wasn't even talking about a first reaction - I certainly don't expect that. But if you go through the entire meal without even looking at her and smiling, it comes across as pretty rude. I don't expect people to play peek-a-boo with her, but if you act as if she isn't even there the entire meal, that's rude. Especially in a service industry.

I am bad with babies. 2 years old and up, I'm great. I just can't pull off the cheesy parent talk because I'm not one. If that kid is 2 or 3, though, he'll love me.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by kddani

I wasn't even talking about a first reaction - I certainly don't expect that. But if you go through the entire meal without even looking at her and smiling, it comes across as pretty rude. I don't expect people to play peek-a-boo with her, but if you act as if she isn't even there the entire meal, that's rude. Especially in a service industry.

Wait...people expect servers to speak to their babies??

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Wait...people expect servers to speak to their babies??

LOL. That is ridiculous. People need to stop forcing the importance of their babies on everyone else.

****

As for cash, I rarely keep cash on me. I probably have cash on me once a month or every other month.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL. That is ridiculous. People need to stop forcing the importance of their babies on everyone else.

What the what?! The baby's not ordering, probably not eating, and definitely not paying.

My niece, who was quite a diva during her infant and toddler years, would throw a fit if the server didn't speak to her. My sister found it to be pretty embarrassing and certainly didn't demand it of the restaurant staff.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Wait...people expect servers to speak to their babies??

Yeah I'm not sure I get that. Especially when it's busy. I'm betting the baby doesn't really care if the server asks her how she's doing today.

[SWTXBelle]

Back in the day I never expected servers to interact with my babies, but I did appreciate servers who were baby-friendly - for example, bringing crackers or bread first thing. I know my younger daughter Cinderella (who is a server at Perry's) often gets praise and higher tips because she is considerate of children. It probably helps that she has vast experience thanks to her brothers who are 8 and 10 years younger than she.