I just posted this in the Food forum, and thought I'd mention it here (because I started getting worked up about it):

This is what I wrote about Nick's in H-town: In my experience, the service there is crappy unless you're a local somebody. DH and I used to go there often for drinks, and service was always so-so. One night we go in after a big fancy benefit they had catered, and suddenly everyone from the manager to the wait staff was being super nice to us. I hate that phony-baloney crap.

I've had similar experiences at the Bavarian Inn (staying as a guest). Hubby and I show up dressed nicely (I'm in a dress, he's in a tie) and everyone's all nice to us. We show up dressed in our everyday garb (khakis or jeans) and we get treated like second class citizens.

I know there's something to be said for appearances... but places that suck up to you if they think you have money and treat their other customers with a snotty attitude really tick me off. Everyone's $$$ spends the same, you know... and I believe you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Ok... stepping off my soapbox now.

it depends... at some places you are expected to dress nicer than others... but then again, at the crazy horse, they cut your tie off and nail it to the wall...

I feel your pain, peacefrog! I agree that it's unfair for anyone in the service industry to make a snap decision as to how they're going to treat you, based on your appearance . I know of some very prosperous people who dress and act like your basic down-to-earth average-income people. You just never know.

The same bad service can occur when a waiter/waitress thinks you're too young to eat at their schmancy restaurant and won't be able to afford a big tip. It used to annoy me to no end when hubby and I were dating in our late teens, early twenties - we'd go out semi-regularly to nice places, prepared for the prices and for a generous tip (20% min). Then we'd get treated like second-class citizens by the same waitress who was friendly and attentive to the table of fortysomethings next to us.

I can't think of a single place in H-town where khakis are not considered acceptable garb... it's just the staff/owners think that their patrons should be more upscale. But based on the prices, atmosphere and food quality... it's not near what fine dining really is.

Nick's sucks, whether you're dressed nicely or dressed casually.... overpriced and overcooked food with lousey inattentive service... I guess unless you're a local somebody.

That being said, I feel that you should dress for the location. Don't go to a "fancy" restaurant wearing jeans and your companion wearing their "I'm With Idiot" t-shirt (no offense to our own Idiot).

If an establishment continuously provides bad service, then don't return. Like I won't return to Nick's.

But, you also can't expect to be treated appropriately if you're not dressed appropriately.

Yes, appearance Does Really matter.

We no longer patronize the Moutain Gate in Waynesboro. We USED to go there quite often, couple of times a month, at least. One day we stop in on the bike, T-shirts, leather, the whole shebang - no kids. The twelve-thousand-year old "hostess" took one look at us and decided to seat everybody and their brother and ignored us. Finally I grabbed the manager - literally - and told him our story.

We were offered seats immediately. We declined.

Only been back once, and that was recently to have breakfast with an old, dear friend who loves the place.

The "old" hostess is finally gone, probably to her "reward", so we might try it again soon, but I serioulsy doubt if we'll be in leathers.

Another instance was on vacation, the hostess seated all the patrons in the dining room, but when it came time to seat us "biker folks", we got sent to the smoky bar.

What's amazing is that "poor" folks usually can't AFFORD a Harley, or the clothes that go with the lifestyle. Non-riders just don't get it. Weird.

YES! Appearance DOES matter.

Agreed. That place has taken a plunge over the years. Guess that's what happens when you try to live off of your name and ignore everything else.

They should bulldoze that place and build a nice diner for all of our future HGR passengers.

Well, I think everyone should be treated with respect (regardless of their clothing).

Perhaps someone coming to dine at a place like Nick's doesn't have a lot of money... so their nicest clothes are khakis... but they saved up for months to celebrate their birthday (or whatever) at this restaurant. I think, no matter what, they deserve a little respect just for being a patron.

That said... it still doesn't excuse the "Let's suck up to you now" attitude that magically appears when people *think* you have money (whether you do or not). You either like me because I'm friendly, polite and a nice tipper... or you don't. Don't like me just because you think I'm *somebody*. (Because I am definitely a nobody.)

i have actually been known to AVOID restaurants that get all snippy with people who arent dressed like stuffed-shirted pompus wanks.

who wants to go to BW3 with me?

I haven't experienced that much around here... but then again, I am pretty charming.

A resturant is making money either way. Whether you dress like a million bucks or not.
So I don't see why they should treat anyone any differently, because of the clothes they wear.

Customer's are there because they like the food & service.
Were not suppose to cater to them, There suppose to cater to us.

Good Customer Service equal Good Tip, it's as simple as that.

I been in quite a few high class resturants in my time.
But the service and the food wasn't all that great.
I feel it wasn't worth the price I paid. Most places like that are Over Price.

I could have cooked a better dinner at home.

or the 1700 people that work out there ;-)

IMO you shoulda let them try to make it up to you -- it may have only been that waitress, not the philosophy of the management, that needed fixing.

I go to Nick's once or twice a month. I'm usually by myself so I sit in the piano lounge. I almost always have the same thing, shrimp cocktail, a filet, and a couple yuengling lagers. I've worn everything from a suit to shorts and t-shirt and I've never had bad service nor has my steak ever been over-cooked, though I've had to send it back a couple times because it was too rare. I always go on Thurs. night so I usually have the same waitress and I tip well. I won't argue about the prices, they are high.


Idiot's tips for dining out are:

1. Never go on Monday, that's usually the chef's night off.

2. Thursdays are good because most restaurants restock on wed or thurs so they're less likely to be out of something, I really hate that. Plus, it's not as crowded as the weekend.

3. Once you find a waitress or waiter you like ask for them.

4. Tip well if you plan on coming back.

5. The first time service or food is bad talk to the manager.

6. I agree with Yoss, after 2 bad meals don't go back.

7. Most importantly, never rule a restaurant out because of the way it looks on the outside. Courtney's in Ridge Md looks like a bombed-out WWII building but they have the best broiled rockfish I've ever had. Tom catches it and Julie cooks it and until you get to know them they are the most crotchety people you'll ever meet.

Speaking of tipping I have an OT question that doesn't deserve a thread...

I always tip the pizza delivery person 5 bucks no matter what the order is. A fishing buddy says that's too high but he's a cheap-skate. My wife thinks it should be more for bigger orders.

How much do you tip the pizza delivery person?

Depends. We generally tip a minimum of $5, but we'll tack on more if the order is big.

We never order more than about $40, it's just the 2 of us. Now if it's raining or snowing I might give them a couple extra bucks, but if they can bring it to the door in one trip it's $5. They always do.


More than 1 trip is catering, that's worth more.

TIPPING ?

A 5.00 tip for pizza delivery, sounds good.
Now, tipping when getting a hair cut is another story. My husband has a set rate for himself. I on the other hand take my daughters to different places and it gets confusing. Shampoo, haircut and blow dry varies a lot from shop to shop. I always remind them to tip.

Funny you bring that up, I tip $5 for that also. My haircut is $13.

I give the shampoo girl $2 though. The whole thing is $20, it's a good deal all the way around I think.


... just look at my hair-do.

I knew someone would say a man's haircut is running around $13. Its consistent with others I talk to. Also works out to be a fair deal.....Not fair on the other side, but that is life. Women's haircare is another story. You can go for a real ride. A lot of variables for a simple task. (Pretty cool, you have a shampoo girl to boot.)

Well I'm cheap O, when it comes to cutting my hair.
Only one that cuts my hair is my sister. I had to many bad experience's with hairstyle's.
Since my hair almost to my waist, needless to stay what little I get cut off, isn't worth going.
For what the beauty shop would charge me.

We get pizza often, but we live pretty close to the pizza place. I give the guy a $4 tip. He always seems grateful, like I'm a big spender!! Funny, now that I think about it. But, I always thought $5 seemed like too much for a pizza tip. But, now that i think about the cost of gas, I'll go with $5 and order pizza less often!


Edit: Wow, I just noticed the topic of this thread and wondered how I was talking about tipping pizza guys!! haha

It's my fault it's off topic, sorry pf.

Somebody that is dressed well, has some kind of special status and/or a lot of money can still walk in a restaurant and act like a total dick and not tip well. You hear stories about the privelaged all the time. They can be just as rude and unsophisticated and unappreciative as anyone else.

actually, i agree. i was a waitress for years. i learned VERY early on that people who think they're "teh shizznit" often tip VERY poorly, and treat the waitstaff like personal slaves. i'd MUCH rather have a table full of NORMAL PEOPLE. they appreciate your hard work, and only complain if something is truly wrong.

I hear ya on that one! I worked my way through college waiting tables, and 99% of the time it was the "regular folks" who were the best tippers. Often, the well-dressed, status/money people were extremely rude and demanding, made numerous special requests, and had me running my ass off for them, and invariably they'd tip maybe 10%. I think probably the best tippers are those who have worked in the service industry themselves.