Cerebus said:

It's very common around here. Most of the time it's one table, one tab. Sometimes they'll split it two ways, but I've never seen a server/restaurant agree to more than that. Has something to do with gratuities, I'm sure.

Whenever I've gone out with work people I don't eat and I buy my alcohol myself, one drink at a time from the bar. Even if I'm buying a drink for somebody I still do it a round at a time. Paid for and done. I hate those sneakin' up and/or mystery charges on tabs.

Yes, definitely. Most restaurants add 20% gratuity on parties of 6 or more so that's guarenteed to the server; and with more than 6 people the bill is probably going to be at least $100+ (way more if alcohol is involved). If you split the tabs then the server runs the risk of getting a crappy tip, or at minimum, less than 20%.

PunkMistress said:

PurpleJedi said:

...and some people in the club didn't want to bother the waitress like that.

By asking her to do something that's part of her job?

As long as you're gracious and polite, and tip reasonably, it's silly to feel guilty or bad about asking your server to serve you.

I totally agree.

PurpleJedi said:

PunkMistress said:

That's stupid!

I guess I can understand the waiter/waitress who's already stressed trying to keep up with the demands of a party of 12, 15, 20 people now having to also keep track of who ordered what and which is their bill. I guess???

I've been to several restaurants that offer this service and the waitress has never had a problem with it. The seats are probably numbered just like the table. They write it down (or punch it into a machine, which now often is the case) when the order is being placed and then they don't have to worry about it again until the payment is due, at which point they walk around and print out the bills and accept the money. It's always very efficiently done and everybody is happy with it.

jone70 said:

PunkMistress said:

By asking her to do something that's part of her job?

As long as you're gracious and polite, and tip reasonably, it's silly to feel guilty or bad about asking your server to serve you.

In NYC, a lot of places will not split the tabs or give you separate tabs. There is one bar/restaurant in my 'hood that we go to a lot -- they know us by name. If I invite a bunch of people there to eat and listen to the live music, the servers will not do more than 2 tabs. It's really annoying because people like to just stop in and have 1-2 drinks but since we have a table, it has to be ordered through the server (not at the bar) and so you end up with the people who stay the latest paying and making up any shortage. And there's always a shortage because people forget how many drinks they order, or underestimate the cost and tip.

Exactly. With separate bills you avoid all that. People can easily pay and tip the exact right amount when they wish to leave, and nobody else gets stuck to make up for any shortage.

jone70 said:

Cerebus said:

It's very common around here. Most of the time it's one table, one tab. Sometimes they'll split it two ways, but I've never seen a server/restaurant agree to more than that. Has something to do with gratuities, I'm sure.

Whenever I've gone out with work people I don't eat and I buy my alcohol myself, one drink at a time from the bar. Even if I'm buying a drink for somebody I still do it a round at a time. Paid for and done. I hate those sneakin' up and/or mystery charges on tabs.

Yes, definitely. Most restaurants add 20% gratuity on parties of 6 or more so that's guarenteed to the server; and with more than 6 people the bill is probably going to be at least $100+ (way more if alcohol is involved). If you split the tabs then the server runs the risk of getting a crappy tip, or at minimum, less than 20%.

If the restaurant sees a problem with that, they can simply add a mandatory extra percentage to each of the individual bills.

retina said:

jone70 said:

Yes, definitely. Most restaurants add 20% gratuity on parties of 6 or more so that's guarenteed to the server; and with more than 6 people the bill is probably going to be at least $100+ (way more if alcohol is involved). If you split the tabs then the server runs the risk of getting a crappy tip, or at minimum, less than 20%.

If the restaurant sees a problem with that, they can simply add a mandatory extra percentage to each of the individual bills.

They also don't want to have to keep track of a bunch of different tickets because it's a pain in the ass.

Cerebus said:

retina said:

If the restaurant sees a problem with that, they can simply add a mandatory extra percentage to each of the individual bills.

They also don't want to have to keep track of a bunch of different tickets because it's a pain in the ass.

Are you a waitress?

Well, the potluck is underway.

I planned to bring curry popcorn, but Sweetie has been sick the last couple days, so I spaced making it last night. When I got to work, I said I'd just check things out late morning, and then run out and get whatever we needed to fill any gaps. You will never believe what was missing.

Chips!

So I went out and got a bag of chips, sour cream and salsa (to make a dip), pretzels (to go with the mustard dip someone else brought, and a bag of chili cheese Fritos (just cuz I like them ).

retina said:

Cerebus said:

They also don't want to have to keep track of a bunch of different tickets because it's a pain in the ass.

Are you a waitress?

No, but I dated one for two years. I've also dated a bartender. Are you?

Genesia said:

Well, the potluck is underway.

I planned to bring curry popcorn, but Sweetie has been sick the last couple days, so I spaced making it last night. When I got to work, I said I'd just check things out late morning, and then run out and get whatever we needed to fill any gaps. You will never believe what was missing.

Chips!

So I went out and got a bag of chips, sour cream and salsa (to make a dip), pretzels (to go with the mustard dip someone else brought, and a bag of chili cheese Fritos (just cuz I like them ).

Wait.... somebody brought mustard dip... but nothing to go with it? Chili Cheese Fritos, as incredibly AWFUL as they are nutrition wise, ARE freakin' tasty!

Cerebus said:

retina said:

Are you a waitress?

No, but I dated one for two years. I've also dated a bartender. Are you?

Don't speak for them then.

I've never noticed that the waitresses seem put out by individual bills. In fact, I would imagine that it's a lot easier to deal with neatly done up orders and bills where you receive payment from one person at a time than to have to take care of a whole pile of cash and coupons and have to wait for the group of people to finish discussing who paid what and why.

Cerebus said:

Genesia said:

Well, the potluck is underway.

I planned to bring curry popcorn, but Sweetie has been sick the last couple days, so I spaced making it last night. When I got to work, I said I'd just check things out late morning, and then run out and get whatever we needed to fill any gaps. You will never believe what was missing.

Chips!

So I went out and got a bag of chips, sour cream and salsa (to make a dip), pretzels (to go with the mustard dip someone else brought, and a bag of chili cheese Fritos (just cuz I like them ).

Wait.... somebody brought mustard dip... but nothing to go with it? Chili Cheese Fritos, as incredibly AWFUL as they are nutrition wise, ARE freakin' tasty!

Actually (I just looked at it again)...it was a honey mustard vinaigrette. But there's no salad...

I almost never eat those Fritos. But I was getting either those or Chicken in a Biskit, so...

retina said:

Cerebus said:

No, but I dated one for two years. I've also dated a bartender. Are you?

Don't speak for them then.

I've never noticed that the waitresses seem put out by individual bills. In fact, I would imagine that it's a lot easier to deal with neatly done up orders and bills where you receive payment from one person at a time than to have to take care of a whole pile of cash and coupons and have to wait for the group of people to finish discussing who paid what and why.

How about you take some of your own advice and not speak about something you clearly know nothing about.

It's not easier, you're wrong and you totally ignored what I said. I can speak for them because I lived with one for a great length of time who came home on a daily basis COMPLAINING about tables wanting three and four tickets instead of one. Then being RUDE when she refused to do it. How in the world could you possible think having to run several tickets for one table through whatever payment system is being used would be easier than doing it once? Totally broken logic. And you don't have to wait for them to figure it out. You give them the ticket and come back when they're ready to pay. ... have you ever BEEN to a restaurant?

It’s fairly common here for places to even offer separate checks. And it’s quite common to ask for them. But there are still some hold out restaurants that don’t do it. My bf was a server for many years and he told me he was always happy to give separate checks to groups as he always made more money that way. When it’s all together and they come up short, it’s the tip that’s going to get cut.

I will say I was flabbergasted in Miami when we didn’t ask for separate checks, but simply gave our server 4 or 5 credit cards and told her the amount to put on each. At first she flat out refused to do it. Once we explained that was the only way they were going to get paid she reluctantly agreed and it took her about 30 minutes to come back with the slips and our cards. No joke. Worst server ever. Which is lame, cause she’d been fine for the most part up to that point.

Cerebus said:

retina said:

Don't speak for them then.

I've never noticed that the waitresses seem put out by individual bills. In fact, I would imagine that it's a lot easier to deal with neatly done up orders and bills where you receive payment from one person at a time than to have to take care of a whole pile of cash and coupons and have to wait for the group of people to finish discussing who paid what and why.

How about you take some of your own advice and not speak about something you clearly know nothing about.

It's not easier, you're wrong and you totally ignored what I said. I can speak for them because I lived with one for a great length of time who came home on a daily basis COMPLAINING about tables wanting three and four tickets instead of one. Then being RUDE when she refused to do it. How in the world could you possible think having to run several tickets for one table through whatever payment system is being used would be easier than doing it once? Totally broken logic. And you don't have to wait for them to figure it out. You give them the ticket and come back when they're ready to pay. ... have you ever BEEN to a restaurant?

So just because your girlfriend was too lazy to set up individual bills and complained about it, it makes you an expert at restaurant procedures? Give me a break.

Having a clear system where you note who eats what and then deal with their bill seperately is totally how I would want to do it if I was waiting tables. You probably get better tips that way too, and most importantly - the customers are happy. That's what service is all about.

CarrieMpls said:

It’s fairly common here for places to even offer separate checks. And it’s quite common to ask for them. But there are still some hold out restaurants that don’t do it. My bf was a server for many years and he told me he was always happy to give separate checks to groups as he always made more money that way. When it’s all together and they come up short, it’s the tip that’s going to get cut.

I will say I was flabbergasted in Miami when we didn’t ask for separate checks, but simply gave our server 4 or 5 credit cards and told her the amount to put on each. At first she flat out refused to do it. Once we explained that was the only way they were going to get paid she reluctantly agreed and it took her about 30 minutes to come back with the slips and our cards. No joke. Worst server ever. Which is lame, cause she’d been fine for the most part up to that point.

Definitley NOT common around here (Bay Area). And I've never heard a server say they thought they'd get more tips with more tickets. He must have just been really good.

retina said:

Cerebus said:

How about you take some of your own advice and not speak about something you clearly know nothing about.

It's not easier, you're wrong and you totally ignored what I said. I can speak for them because I lived with one for a great length of time who came home on a daily basis COMPLAINING about tables wanting three and four tickets instead of one. Then being RUDE when she refused to do it. How in the world could you possible think having to run several tickets for one table through whatever payment system is being used would be easier than doing it once? Totally broken logic. And you don't have to wait for them to figure it out. You give them the ticket and come back when they're ready to pay. ... have you ever BEEN to a restaurant?

So just because your girlfriend was too lazy to set up individual bills and complained about it, it makes you an expert at restaurant procedures? Give me a break.

Having a clear system where you note who eats what and then deal with their bill seperately is totally how I would want to do it if I was waiting tables. You probably get better tips that way too, and most importantly - the customers are happy. That's what service is all about.

Clearly you're a waitress then, right? Also, it was restaurant policy and still is at many places. It takes longer to get people in and out (that's called "turnover" - in case you don't know about that either), which means they make less money. Regardless, you're a pot stirrer and I'm not interested in your nonsense today. Buh-bye.

Cerebus said:

CarrieMpls said:

It’s fairly common here for places to even offer separate checks. And it’s quite common to ask for them. But there are still some hold out restaurants that don’t do it. My bf was a server for many years and he told me he was always happy to give separate checks to groups as he always made more money that way. When it’s all together and they come up short, it’s the tip that’s going to get cut.

I will say I was flabbergasted in Miami when we didn’t ask for separate checks, but simply gave our server 4 or 5 credit cards and told her the amount to put on each. At first she flat out refused to do it. Once we explained that was the only way they were going to get paid she reluctantly agreed and it took her about 30 minutes to come back with the slips and our cards. No joke. Worst server ever. Which is lame, cause she’d been fine for the most part up to that point.

Definitley NOT common around here (Bay Area). And I've never heard a server say they thought they'd get more tips with more tickets. He must have just been really good.

He is.

He actually made more bartending and serving than he makes at his office job now, but he was ready to have nights and weekends and holidays off and get actual benefits and stuff. Which, of course, I think is awesome.

He has plans to open his own place in the next few years, though. So it may be back to that awful schedule.

Cerebus said:

retina said:

So just because your girlfriend was too lazy to set up individual bills and complained about it, it makes you an expert at restaurant procedures? Give me a break.

Having a clear system where you note who eats what and then deal with their bill seperately is totally how I would want to do it if I was waiting tables. You probably get better tips that way too, and most importantly - the customers are happy. That's what service is all about.

Clearly you're a waitress then, right? Also, it was restaurant policy and still is at many places. It takes longer to get people in and out (that's called "turnover" - in case you don't know about that either), which means they make less money. Regardless, you're a pot stirrer and I'm not interested in your nonsense today. Buh-bye.

Well I'm never interested in your constant nonsense so if you don't like what I write I don't know why you bother responding to my posts, lol.

Okay, y'all...unless your office has a policy of issuing separate checks for a potluck - take your discussion elsewhere.

CarrieMpls said:

It’s fairly common here for places to even offer separate checks. And it’s quite common to ask for them. But there are still some hold out restaurants that don’t do it. My bf was a server for many years and he told me he was always happy to give separate checks to groups as he always made more money that way. When it’s all together and they come up short, it’s the tip that’s going to get cut.

Exactly! Always when I go out with a group of friends there isn't much tip when it's all added up, perhaps due to the anonymity when you put your money in the pot. When you're solely responsible for the bill you tend to step up and add proper tip.

I will say I was flabbergasted in Miami when we didn’t ask for separate checks, but simply gave our server 4 or 5 credit cards and told her the amount to put on each. At first she flat out refused to do it. Once we explained that was the only way they were going to get paid she reluctantly agreed and it took her about 30 minutes to come back with the slips and our cards. No joke. Worst server ever. Which is lame, cause she’d been fine for the most part up to that point.

How bizarre! Surely she can't have always had customers where one person pays for the whole group? Maybe she was new.

Genesia said:

Okay, y'all...unless your office has a policy of issuing separate checks for a potluck - take your discussion elsewhere.

Are you familiar with the org at all? Every thread takes a left turn sooner or later, lol. And we're still on the topic of group eating anyway.

retina said:

Genesia said:

Okay, y'all...unless your office has a policy of issuing separate checks for a potluck - take your discussion elsewhere.

Are you familiar with the org at all? Every thread takes a left turn sooner or later, lol. And we're still on the topic of group eating anyway.

Are you familiar with the org at all? Duh - threads take left turns. But a left turn that degenerates into stupid bickering is the quickest way to get a

Do that in your own thread.

retina said:

What I don't like is when I go to a restaurant with a few people and someone suggests that we order a bunch of dishes and then share everything (everybody except me always loooooves that idea). Here's why I don't like it:

1) The others usually pick one or more dishes that I would never have picked

2) If you're not fast enough all the good food will be gone

3) If you're fast enough, someone will give you a dirty look for taking the food they wanted

4) If you're a big eater like me, you will feel bad about eating more than everybody else and then be forced to split the bill evenly just because everybody always insists on that

5) Some people are slobs and use the spoon from one dish in another one and make a mess

I really just want to order and pay for my own food and then focus on enjoying the company instead.

Thank you! But what pisses me off is when people think they can order the entire friggin menu and bunches of drinks and expect everybody to split the bill evenly. That shit never works because there's always one who's gonna try to get over with paying as little as possible, especially the lush of the group. I don't mind doing this in say parties of 2-4 people, but anything over that, it starts to get bumpy.

Genesia said:

retina said:

Are you familiar with the org at all? Every thread takes a left turn sooner or later, lol. And we're still on the topic of group eating anyway.

Are you familiar with the org at all? Duh - threads take left turns. But a left turn that degenerates into stupid bickering is the quickest way to get a

Do that in your own thread.

That's another thing about the org; all threads eventually degenerate into bickering too. lol

And if you try to play thread police it will only make things worse. Especially when you - like now - step in when the discussion is already over.

Shyra said:

retina said:

What I don't like is when I go to a restaurant with a few people and someone suggests that we order a bunch of dishes and then share everything (everybody except me always loooooves that idea). Here's why I don't like it:

1) The others usually pick one or more dishes that I would never have picked

2) If you're not fast enough all the good food will be gone

3) If you're fast enough, someone will give you a dirty look for taking the food they wanted

4) If you're a big eater like me, you will feel bad about eating more than everybody else and then be forced to split the bill evenly just because everybody always insists on that

5) Some people are slobs and use the spoon from one dish in another one and make a mess

I really just want to order and pay for my own food and then focus on enjoying the company instead.

Thank you! But what pisses me off is when people think they can order the entire friggin menu and bunches of drinks and expect everybody to split the bill evenly. That shit never works because there's always one who's gonna try to get over with paying as little as possible, especially the lush of the group. I don't mind doing this in say parties of 2-4 people, but anything over that, it starts to get bumpy.

Yeah, if you keep scrolling you'll see that we had a discussion about that too. I agree with you.

CarrieMpls said:

Cerebus said:

Definitley NOT common around here (Bay Area). And I've never heard a server say they thought they'd get more tips with more tickets. He must have just been really good.

He is.

He actually made more bartending and serving than he makes at his office job now, but he was ready to have nights and weekends and holidays off and get actual benefits and stuff. Which, of course, I think is awesome.

He has plans to open his own place in the next few years, though. So it may be back to that awful schedule.

The actual benefits and stuff are really important. But if he made that much money as a server/bartender he may be one of those with the right demeanor for captaining the whole ship. Being your own boss makes up for a lot in regards to awful schedules. I would love to have a restaurant, but hating people kind of gets in the way of that concept.

CarrieMpls said:

Cerebus said:

Definitley NOT common around here (Bay Area). And I've never heard a server say they thought they'd get more tips with more tickets. He must have just been really good.

He is.

He actually made more bartending and serving than he makes at his office job now, but he was ready to have nights and weekends and holidays off and get actual benefits and stuff. Which, of course, I think is awesome.

He has plans to open his own place in the next few years, though. So it may be back to that awful schedule.

It will be - at least until business builds to the point where he can afford additional help. And even then, he'll want to be there during prime time - which is the evening.

I have friends who own a bar. It is an absolutely grinding business - even if you do manage to make money at it.

I feelance and when I work our food usually take out or catered, no matter what the occasion,or for team gatherings we go out to eat at a restaurant.

I do participate in our monthly church potlucks though. We have a congregation of about 500 and we have dishes contributed from parishioners from over 50 nations. The other 2 Sundays of the month are traded off by either our Phillipino Fellowship or our African Fellowship, an having tithed time in the church kitchen I know how much time sacrifice and love goes into the dishes that all contribute, and it is my pleasure to break bread with them all.

The crazy thing is that while I trust our potluck contributors completely, I cannot stand all the greedy-gut do-nothings that come to the buffet to swooop up all the food, with no consideration for the other 150 people behind them, demanding seconds, picking up things with their hands and serving themselves ( I work as one of the church serving ladies )...it's different from those of you in office settings who don't contribute or take part .. in my situation we have the grab alls that want everything and more, have no manners, don't clean up after themselves...I end up getting really perturbed when I have to deal with them .

My fellow potluck peeps I trust with pretty much everything in my heart, though.

Ottensen said:

I feelance and when I work our food usually take out or catered, no matter what the occasion,or for team gatherings we go out to eat at a restaurant.

I do participate in our monthly church potlucks though. We have a congregation of about 500 and we have dishes contributed from parishioners from over 50 nations. The other 2 Sundays of the month are traded off by either our Phillipino Fellowship or our African Fellowship, an having tithed time in the church kitchen I know how much time sacrifice and love goes into the dishes that all contribute, and it is my pleasure to break bread with them all.

The crazy thing is that while I trust our potluck contributors completely, I cannot stand all the greedy-gut do-nothings that come to the buffet to swooop up all the food, with no consideration for the other 150 people behind them, demanding seconds, picking up things with their hands and serving themselves ( I work as one of the church serving ladies )...it's different from those of you in office settings who don't contribute or take part .. in my situation we have the grab alls that want everything and more, have no manners, don't clean up after themselves...I end up getting really perturbed when I have to deal with them .

My fellow potluck peeps I trust with pretty much everything in my heart, though.

I had forgotten about this;

Every year, my kids' school does something called "Family Night". They invite all the families in the school to bring a dish, which are all placed on long tables, and we all sit down and eat "as a family".

I love the concept, but unfortunately what ends up happening is that the ghetto folks rush up to get in line, then pile up their plates like they haven't eaten in months. By the time those of us who don't have a need to bum-rush the tables get there, there's little to choose from.

Last year, as I'm waiting on line, two women walked past with (no kidding) THREE PLATES apiece (covered in napkins for take-home).

By the time I got there, I had a few meatballs and rice of some kind to eat. We hit McDonalds afterwards.

We skipped it this year and just hit McDonalds.