Fun Stuff > CHATTER
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
The Seldom Killer:
I was speaking to a Canadian recently who, as far as his Danish Grandmother-in-law is concerned, is as good as American. She politely enquired early on in his marriage whether he had learnt to use cutlery yet.
The Seldom Killer:
Tipping is an uncomfortable topic in England. Too little may cause offence and is practically complaining, too much may appear ostentatious and too exemplary of divisive classism. If you only have notes you'd have to ask for change and that requires drawing attention to yourself. Tipping in groups only compounds the issue. We can barely ask for the bill once we've finished eating let alone bring ourselves to publically judge the performance of the serving staff. Frankly, if it weren't for a basically functional minimum wage we'd never eat out adt all.
Next you'll be suggesting we ask for assistance finding something in a shop. Far better to pretend to receive an impotant text, politely thank the cashier, leave the store and never return in case they think you're a loonie or somethink.
Nikolai:
On the subject of utensil use, I'm left-handed and the fork never leaves my left hand. I cut with my right hand. When I moved to the USA, I was somewhat shocked to discover that amongst my wife's immediate and extended family, knives are rare; forks are used to cut almost everything.
Regarding tipping, I make a point to never tip less than 15%. Usually I try to do things like round the bill up to the closest base5 amount. Increases for quality food, service, and attractiveness, of course.
Kugai:
Tipping is practically unheard of down here. though I am aware that in some Restaurants, it's not uncommon - especially from foreign tourists/visitors.
Wait Staff, whether it be at a fine Restaurant or the guy/girl behind the counter at Maccas or Burger King earn the minimum wage here, which is around $13.75 an hour.
Barmymoo:
--- Quote from: LTK on 11 Sep 2013, 12:07 ---'Supposed to'? For a right-handed individual, doing anything else would be extremely impractical. It's difficult for me to cut food with the knife in my left hand, and also to eat it with the fork in my left hand, so obviously I'd switch the fork to my right hand after I cut my food. I imagine everyone does.
--- End quote ---
I always keep my fork in my left hand and cut with the right. It's completely normal here - no one ever switches their fork from hand to hand in this country.
I learnt to tip in the USA, so I am a bit more militant about it than most UK people, but I typically go with 15% since we don't have variable tax and do have a semi-living minimum wage (it's not a living wage, but it's about four times the minimum for wait staff in the USA). It's also easy to calculate.
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