f stop
26 Feb 2010
Life / Getting ripped off in Poland! Is it normal? or should it be tolerated? [97]
lol
Like whatever, dude!
lol
f stop
26 Feb 2010
USA, Canada / US resident, have a baby with a Polish girl. Need help on Polish Passport. [30]
Are you listed as the father on the baby's birth certificate?
Are you listed as the father on the baby's birth certificate?
f stop
26 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
in USA, waiters and bartenders hourly pay is way below minimum wage. Sometimes as low as $1 or $2 per hour! To add insult to injury, I worked at one place, where we were automatically taxed on 15% of our total sales, as it was assumed that's the minimum we got in tips.
So, before you decide that your server did not prostrate her/himself enough for your liking, make sure that you are not actually taking the money away from her/him by not tipping. They might be paying taxes on the money they never got!
When you look at a menu in US, teach yourself to automatically add 15% to the prices - it belongs to your server. Tipping for good service is above that.
Admittedly, I don't know how it is in Poland, but in US some tourists, most notably Canadians, are especially loathed by the local service industry. Weather it's for ignorance or penny pinching - it really does not matter.
in USA, waiters and bartenders hourly pay is way below minimum wage. Sometimes as low as $1 or $2 per hour! To add insult to injury, I worked at one place, where we were automatically taxed on 15% of our total sales, as it was assumed that's the minimum we got in tips.
So, before you decide that your server did not prostrate her/himself enough for your liking, make sure that you are not actually taking the money away from her/him by not tipping. They might be paying taxes on the money they never got!
When you look at a menu in US, teach yourself to automatically add 15% to the prices - it belongs to your server. Tipping for good service is above that.
Admittedly, I don't know how it is in Poland, but in US some tourists, most notably Canadians, are especially loathed by the local service industry. Weather it's for ignorance or penny pinching - it really does not matter.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Some think the rules should be changes, some don't, but it is what it is. As with many things, one should acquaint him/herself with rules and customs in the country one is traveling to.
If, like in Poland, the servers are graduate of some gastronomical school (once, in Poland, I was sternly lectured on the fine points of a balanced meal by my waitress) and getting a "sufficient" hourly wage, you rightly might get the 'don't care' attitude.
In US, since the servers' livelyhood depends on not getting stiffed, you'll get all this hi-voltage "Hi, my name is Steve and I will be your server" bull****. Here, the rule is that if want to sit your a$$ down and be "served", add the 15% to the prices as you're ordering. If you don't like the service, complain to the owner, don't come back, but don't be a cheap d!ck. Here, if the service stinks, my bet is that it's not the servers fault.
As far as Canadians, I have gone as far as friendly inquiry- "where are you from?" and if your country is on the "list", then you cannot be trusted with following the local standards, and the 15% gratuity is automatically added to your bill.
So read your check carefully.
The majority of Americans work in the service industry, change the laws.
Some think the rules should be changes, some don't, but it is what it is. As with many things, one should acquaint him/herself with rules and customs in the country one is traveling to.
If, like in Poland, the servers are graduate of some gastronomical school (once, in Poland, I was sternly lectured on the fine points of a balanced meal by my waitress) and getting a "sufficient" hourly wage, you rightly might get the 'don't care' attitude.
In US, since the servers' livelyhood depends on not getting stiffed, you'll get all this hi-voltage "Hi, my name is Steve and I will be your server" bull****. Here, the rule is that if want to sit your a$$ down and be "served", add the 15% to the prices as you're ordering. If you don't like the service, complain to the owner, don't come back, but don't be a cheap d!ck. Here, if the service stinks, my bet is that it's not the servers fault.
As far as Canadians, I have gone as far as friendly inquiry- "where are you from?" and if your country is on the "list", then you cannot be trusted with following the local standards, and the 15% gratuity is automatically added to your bill.
So read your check carefully.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
That is easy to do. All you need to do is be curt, and short, and not overly friendly, and they will stop. Sometimes, second time they come around to ask if everything is ok, I just give them the "look". After all, they're just trying to figure you out and what will get them the biggest tip.
On the other hand, when you're traveling, your waiter or bartender can be a wealth of information.
That is easy to do. All you need to do is be curt, and short, and not overly friendly, and they will stop. Sometimes, second time they come around to ask if everything is ok, I just give them the "look". After all, they're just trying to figure you out and what will get them the biggest tip.
On the other hand, when you're traveling, your waiter or bartender can be a wealth of information.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Then the prices of your food should be 15% higher, and the establishment should pay their server the minimum wage. But, that is not the system here. Here, servers have to pay income taxes on 15% of their total sales, wheather they get it or not. That's all I'm saying.
It's like with taxes for contractors here, they may not be automatically taken from your pay, but it is assumed that you'll pay them.
I don't do "automatic gratuities". I pay a gratuity if I get good service
Then the prices of your food should be 15% higher, and the establishment should pay their server the minimum wage. But, that is not the system here. Here, servers have to pay income taxes on 15% of their total sales, wheather they get it or not. That's all I'm saying.
It's like with taxes for contractors here, they may not be automatically taken from your pay, but it is assumed that you'll pay them.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
UK, Ireland / Marrying Polish Woman in UK/London [100]
My Lord, you guys are a bunch of total d!cks! Don't you realize that by a grace of God, you might have been born in... Afghanistan? Do you really think that the place we are born in should entitle us to all these special privileges? What about being judged by the way we live our lives?
My Lord, you guys are a bunch of total d!cks! Don't you realize that by a grace of God, you might have been born in... Afghanistan? Do you really think that the place we are born in should entitle us to all these special privileges? What about being judged by the way we live our lives?
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
you just don't get it. If you want the priviledge of getting your food brought up to you, you have to pay for it. The establishments, in US at least, don't pay for it. Here, it's like an honor system. Tip here is not a perk, it's a wage. If you stiff your waiter or bartender, you're a cheap douche bag, taking advantage of the system.
you just don't get it. If you want the priviledge of getting your food brought up to you, you have to pay for it. The establishments, in US at least, don't pay for it. Here, it's like an honor system. Tip here is not a perk, it's a wage. If you stiff your waiter or bartender, you're a cheap douche bag, taking advantage of the system.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
That's fine. I hope you frequent self-serve cafeterias made just for you.
In all honesty, this thread is about tipping in Polish establishments, which might be totally different. I see already how difficult this mind set is to change. I just took this opportunity to try and educate some travelers that come here thinking "I'll never come here again" and walk away self satisfied that they just saved themselves some money. Probably was not the right soap box to jump on. I apologize. Over and out.
I will walk up to the service window and carry it over to my table for free.
That's fine. I hope you frequent self-serve cafeterias made just for you.
In all honesty, this thread is about tipping in Polish establishments, which might be totally different. I see already how difficult this mind set is to change. I just took this opportunity to try and educate some travelers that come here thinking "I'll never come here again" and walk away self satisfied that they just saved themselves some money. Probably was not the right soap box to jump on. I apologize. Over and out.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
really??? How can Canadians walk away without leaving a tip at all, then??
Mostly, I posted because I was concerned about Polish travelers getting an undeserved reputation simply because they thought their servers were getting an ample salary already.
The same system is in Quebec, Canada.
really??? How can Canadians walk away without leaving a tip at all, then??
Mostly, I posted because I was concerned about Polish travelers getting an undeserved reputation simply because they thought their servers were getting an ample salary already.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Bzibzioh
No, I'm talking about US. For some reason, many of the Canadian tourists here are under the impression that the tip is already included on the check.
Bzibzioh
No, I'm talking about US. For some reason, many of the Canadian tourists here are under the impression that the tip is already included on the check.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
you were lucky! we had to declare 15% of total sales, and if we complained, then it was assumed that we were not good enough...
The only thing I miss about those old times is that once my shift was done, I was free. I didn't take my work home - physically or mentally.
we paid 15% on our credit card charges tips only and did not have to declare cash tips
you were lucky! we had to declare 15% of total sales, and if we complained, then it was assumed that we were not good enough...
The only thing I miss about those old times is that once my shift was done, I was free. I didn't take my work home - physically or mentally.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
beelzebub
then obviously you do not understand the system here. Maybe you should talk to somebody you know that works for the tips. But the best lesson for you would be if you, or somebody you care about, had to work for the tips. Until then, I'm afraid you'll remain clueless.
beelzebub
then obviously you do not understand the system here. Maybe you should talk to somebody you know that works for the tips. But the best lesson for you would be if you, or somebody you care about, had to work for the tips. Until then, I'm afraid you'll remain clueless.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Again, I think the public you are talking about might not realize that the base salary might be a buck an hour. And you might think that the wait stuff has something to do with setting the prices on the menu. Or what is on the plate. Or how fast the food comes out of the kitchen. Sometimes, great understanding comes from having to walk in someone else's shoes.
Again, I think the public you are talking about might not realize that the base salary might be a buck an hour. And you might think that the wait stuff has something to do with setting the prices on the menu. Or what is on the plate. Or how fast the food comes out of the kitchen. Sometimes, great understanding comes from having to walk in someone else's shoes.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
LOL Cheapskates should at least be savvy enough not to patronize the same place again... because if you think the wait staff will not remember you, you are so wrong... Unless, of course, your idea of a steakhouse is Bonanza.. or Panderosa.. or Golden Corral (I had to google :) )
LOL Cheapskates should at least be savvy enough not to patronize the same place again... because if you think the wait staff will not remember you, you are so wrong... Unless, of course, your idea of a steakhouse is Bonanza.. or Panderosa.. or Golden Corral (I had to google :) )
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
You are just thick as a brick. NO, THE 15% GRATUITY IN US IS A PAYMENT FOR HAVING YOUR FREAKING GRUB BROUGHT TO YOUR PIEHOLE! IF YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS, NEXT TIME JUST PULL UP TO THE DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW!
You are just thick as a brick. NO, THE 15% GRATUITY IN US IS A PAYMENT FOR HAVING YOUR FREAKING GRUB BROUGHT TO YOUR PIEHOLE! IF YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS, NEXT TIME JUST PULL UP TO THE DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW!
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
I bet most of the wait staff has you pegged walking through the door. No wonder you have problems getting good service.
The "appreciation" is above and beyond the 15%. Get his through your head!
And do not assume you know more about this bussiness than I do. You don't.
I bet most of the wait staff has you pegged walking through the door. No wonder you have problems getting good service.
The "appreciation" is above and beyond the 15%. Get his through your head!
And do not assume you know more about this bussiness than I do. You don't.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
I hate repeating myself. If you can't get it through your head that the moment you walk into a restaurant with full service, you are agreeing to subsidize the wage of your wait staff to the tune of 15% of your bill, I don't know what else I can say. The low wages of the wait staff are based on civilized, honorable clientel that, for most parts can grasp this concept. "Appreciation" is above and beyond that. This is not a 'napiwek' for someone that already makes a full salary. Do you get it? Do you understand that they pay income on 15% of their sales? The system sucks, I grant you that, it's like if you were able to take back half of the saleslady's hourly wage if you were not satisfied with the service. Ask yourself this, why would your waitress purposly give you bad service? Or screw up your order? If I am really ticked off about something my waiter did, I talk to the owner - if the help is incompetent, he should know about it. But I will not be a part to somebody serving me, however badly, on slave wages. In this country, if you are not happy with your employee, you have to pay them for the time they worked, then you can fire them. I know this is a difficult concept for you to grasp, so I'll say it again: the moment you walk into a restaurant with full service, you are agreeing to subsidize the wage of your wait staff to the tune of 15% of your bill. That is the system. And people like you are just ignorant.
I hate repeating myself. If you can't get it through your head that the moment you walk into a restaurant with full service, you are agreeing to subsidize the wage of your wait staff to the tune of 15% of your bill, I don't know what else I can say. The low wages of the wait staff are based on civilized, honorable clientel that, for most parts can grasp this concept. "Appreciation" is above and beyond that. This is not a 'napiwek' for someone that already makes a full salary. Do you get it? Do you understand that they pay income on 15% of their sales? The system sucks, I grant you that, it's like if you were able to take back half of the saleslady's hourly wage if you were not satisfied with the service. Ask yourself this, why would your waitress purposly give you bad service? Or screw up your order? If I am really ticked off about something my waiter did, I talk to the owner - if the help is incompetent, he should know about it. But I will not be a part to somebody serving me, however badly, on slave wages. In this country, if you are not happy with your employee, you have to pay them for the time they worked, then you can fire them. I know this is a difficult concept for you to grasp, so I'll say it again: the moment you walk into a restaurant with full service, you are agreeing to subsidize the wage of your wait staff to the tune of 15% of your bill. That is the system. And people like you are just ignorant.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
beelzebub
Service industry paid for my college education. You, and your ilk (lot of roofers), who are deluding themselves that the fact that someone is waiting on them makes them superior and that they know anything about the bussiness are a thorn in everyone's side. Like i said, just pull up to the drive in window. you don't have to tip anyone there.
beelzebub
Service industry paid for my college education. You, and your ilk (lot of roofers), who are deluding themselves that the fact that someone is waiting on them makes them superior and that they know anything about the bussiness are a thorn in everyone's side. Like i said, just pull up to the drive in window. you don't have to tip anyone there.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Quote: "Are you saying I am a roofer? "
I'm just trying to think of other people I've met who cling to the idea that a 15% gratuity in a restaurant is just a "sign of appreciation".
Then, I guess your vote is for Polish system, where the salary of your wait staff is in food prices, and you can kiss your waitress a$$.
Quote: "Are you saying I am a roofer? "
I'm just trying to think of other people I've met who cling to the idea that a 15% gratuity in a restaurant is just a "sign of appreciation".
Most people do not take kindly to others DEMANDING they pay a voluntary gratuity.
Then, I guess your vote is for Polish system, where the salary of your wait staff is in food prices, and you can kiss your waitress a$$.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
I have totally waisted my time trying to explain to you how it works.
I have totally waisted my time trying to explain to you how it works.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
OK. Admittedly, I am a moron for continuing this, but, forget the fact that I have worked in the service industry for 5 years, from waitress, bartender, to food and beverage manager of a 4 star hotel, and you just "talked" to some people and eat in restauarants... how do you explain the fact that this system allows wait staff to work on salary of one dollar per hour? Or takes taxes on 15% of gross sales?
OK. Admittedly, I am a moron for continuing this, but, forget the fact that I have worked in the service industry for 5 years, from waitress, bartender, to food and beverage manager of a 4 star hotel, and you just "talked" to some people and eat in restauarants... how do you explain the fact that this system allows wait staff to work on salary of one dollar per hour? Or takes taxes on 15% of gross sales?
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Just what I thought. It's bad enough not to know the standard, but acting like your d!ck's going to fall of if you learn something new is another matter.
yup.. a roofer.
don't have to explain it....I simply follow the standards. I
Just what I thought. It's bad enough not to know the standard, but acting like your d!ck's going to fall of if you learn something new is another matter.
entitled tw@t
yup.. a roofer.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
Do you know what might be the salaries, before tips, of the wait staff in Poland? I would be interested. Are there any minimum wage rules?
PL tipping is not well executed
Do you know what might be the salaries, before tips, of the wait staff in Poland? I would be interested. Are there any minimum wage rules?
f stop
27 Feb 2010
UK, Ireland / Why are Polish people, especially women, so disrespectful toward the English? [437]
Yea! At this point, it follows that I should throw Rockefeller, and his dealing in illegal alcohol, into a discussion.
Yea! At this point, it follows that I should throw Rockefeller, and his dealing in illegal alcohol, into a discussion.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
I explained it few times already. I'm done.
Ok, but why should the customer pay more than the receipt?
I explained it few times already. I'm done.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
You kidding? If you get no customers, you're going home with 8 bucks for the day.
I presume employers have to make it up anyway
You kidding? If you get no customers, you're going home with 8 bucks for the day.
f stop
27 Feb 2010
Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]
I've heard many of them, but for some reason it's the worst one that I remember: this one is from the communist times of shortages.
How can you tell when a Polish woman has her period? She'll only have on sock on.
I've heard many of them, but for some reason it's the worst one that I remember: this one is from the communist times of shortages.
How can you tell when a Polish woman has her period? She'll only have on sock on.
f stop
28 Feb 2010
Life / Giving tips in Poland [235]
crap - I was having a good ole time here last night, didn't I? LOL That's what happens when I'm stuck drinking home on a Friday night! I was abandoned!
I never heard that there was a possibility we could have had the state supplement if our wages fell below minimum wages. Maybe we were making too much money, maybe the law is new.
Either way, it's been long time since I was in service industry, and I'm glad. That kind of life is not good for one's health. Still I hate cheapskates, or people that give waitresses a hard time. And I've been known to sneak an additional tip as we're leaving, so no one can see. It must have rubbed off on my son, since he is an outrageous tipper as well.
You listed a great link! Here are some quotes from it:
"If you get awful service, talk to the manager. The manager cannot correct the situation if he doesn't know about it. Skipping the tip will not accomplish anything, and the next poor customer who gets that server will get the same service you did. (edit: or worse)
Restaurants report a percentage (around 12%) (edit: in my case it was 15%) of the gross sales for food and beverage to the IRS for their staff. This means that if you have a $200 food bill and $200 wine bill, the restaurant will report 12% of $400 or $48 as income to the server. In other words, the server has to pay tax on it whether you tip it or not."
crap - I was having a good ole time here last night, didn't I? LOL That's what happens when I'm stuck drinking home on a Friday night! I was abandoned!
I never heard that there was a possibility we could have had the state supplement if our wages fell below minimum wages. Maybe we were making too much money, maybe the law is new.
Either way, it's been long time since I was in service industry, and I'm glad. That kind of life is not good for one's health. Still I hate cheapskates, or people that give waitresses a hard time. And I've been known to sneak an additional tip as we're leaving, so no one can see. It must have rubbed off on my son, since he is an outrageous tipper as well.
f stop - you'll probably be able to give a better insight into this than most. What's the idea behind making restaurants (and thus servers) pay tax on income that they're assumed to get?
You listed a great link! Here are some quotes from it:
"If you get awful service, talk to the manager. The manager cannot correct the situation if he doesn't know about it. Skipping the tip will not accomplish anything, and the next poor customer who gets that server will get the same service you did. (edit: or worse)
Restaurants report a percentage (around 12%) (edit: in my case it was 15%) of the gross sales for food and beverage to the IRS for their staff. This means that if you have a $200 food bill and $200 wine bill, the restaurant will report 12% of $400 or $48 as income to the server. In other words, the server has to pay tax on it whether you tip it or not."
f stop
28 Feb 2010
News / Should 16-year-olds in Poland vote? [58]
Why the hell not... We might end up with some really good looking pro-marijuana leadership.
Why the hell not... We might end up with some really good looking pro-marijuana leadership.