Faxed to Crikey! by a restaurateur. Apparently, the message which was printed on a small card that was slipped in with a recent bill payment.
Restaurant reviewers for the Melbourne Age’s Epicure food section appear to be banned from tipping.
Crikey editor Misha Ketchell continued: “But The Age prides itself on being part of a community and observing community standards. Among these is modest tip, usually of between 5 and 10%. To unilaterally absolve oneself of this obligation is a bit like declaring you’re no longer obliged to stand up for the elderly on public transport.
Although The Age conducts blind reviews, it quickly becomes clear who the Scrooge was when the article is published. And the fact that the reviewer has declined to tip isn’t going to win the paper any brownie points when he or she comes calling for news tips and comments.”
I must admit I’d feel really embarrassed to leave a card like that anywhere. Wonder who the reviewer was.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Very strange. I can’t understand why the reviewer wouldn’t just tip out of their own pocket, since they had gotten the meal for free. Maybe they thought it would be a way to get back at the paper, but it seems extremely poor behavior to me. (From a woman who worked as a waitress, cocktail waitress amd bartender while in college. And when I finally became a teacher I kept waiting on tables for more than 10 years!)
Kalyn, tippng culture is very different here. Wait staff get paid a reasonable wage and tiping is optional – the iceing on the cake for excellent service. I think the weird thing is that this one section of a newspaper is dishing out the silly card. Interestingly the rival Murdoch restaurant reviewer – who worked for The Age – doesn’t tip at all, saying it his upbringing that instilled meanness as a virtue!
I am very much against obligated tipping. I find it ridiculous that people expect tips. I only ever tip if the service/food has been above that of other places (or in other words – exceptional). A tip is a ‘gift’ to the people working for their efforts in making your experience a great one. i really hope we aren’t going the way of the States (and parts of Europe)and people automatically add tips. Thank goodness here in Japan they don’t tip! Even for exceptional service. I have even been told it is rude to tip in some places.
Some service we receive in Melbourne doesn’t deserve any gratuity for sure… any suggestions that the food was not done as ordered, or on one rare occasion where my beef was cooked to not by a factor of 1, but nearly 2 times too salty, was almost met by a jeer by the wait staff. Who do they think they are? Although I don’t discriminate against waiters, having worked as one myself, some people out there think too highly of their own positions. Especially in PXXXX CXXXX.
I agree that tipping in Australia should be treated as a Bonus for excellent service. As such, service and quality of food could be judged mutually exclusive…
In the case of Epicure, she/he might ask why should they pay out of their own pocket when they dine out every day and night? It all adds up. Placing the explanation card, depending on ‘viewpoint’ could be interpreted as the critic wanting to tip but didn’t, and thus felt it appropriate to explain themselves?
I guess they haven’t any other appropriate choices if company doesn’t want to pay!
wow thats pretty silly isnt it? i would tip even if the service and food werent too good!
wow thats pretty silly isnt it? i would tip even if the service and food werent too good!
I can’t for the life of me understand why you would leave that note. Why draw attention to yourself, why not just remain anon?
On the subject of tipping, I’m a fashion retail manager, my staff and I deal with the public all day, every day, serving them. We’re paid a very similar rate to waiters in this country, so tipping is not something I do here. Ever. However, when visiting countries where the staff are essentially working for that ‘commission’, I’ll always tip accordingly.
Thanks everyone.
I think the most silly thing of all is the note. As there is no obligation to tip why leave the note?