"aem" wrote
On Jul 14, 5:49 pm, "cshenk" wrote:
[snips]
He's partial to
salmon butter braised with shiitake and onions though he'd not had it
before.

Salmon butter braised with shiitakes and onions? More info,
please. -aem

Salmon, lots of butter and cut up onions and fresh shiitakes. Put the
butter an onion in first then let them carmelize a bit, then add fresh
shiitakes. Let go anotyher minute then add salmon filets and cook about 3
mins per side.

Lovely. Simple, tasty, fast, and lovely.

Lou Decruss wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:52:07 -0400, Billy Hereiam@hotmaildotcom
wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:18:13 -0400, "MareCat"
wrote:

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls).

Since you are remodeling.....with a new kitchen.....why don't you
invite the helpers for a "nice" lunch. Show off what you just had
installed including your cooking talents.

Some of the shit I read here amazes me.


Lol...

If you aren't careful I may kype that as a sig line...

;-)


--
Best
Greg

" I find Greg Morrow lowbrow, witless, and obnoxious. For him to claim that
we are some
kind of comedy team turns my stomach."
- "cybercat" to me on rec.food.cooking

"Nancy Young" wrote in message
...
Sheldon wrote:
On Jul 14, 4:18?pm, "MareCat" wrote:

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give
each of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper
etiquette for tipping contractors/workers for projects like this?
Just wondering what others here have done.

Business owners don't get a tip. But two employees busting their
butts every day for two weeks deserve a lot more tip than milk and
cookies, they'd probably not take it and say you need it more then
they do... I'd give each a C note minimum.

I'm in agreement. The contractor makes the profit, the other
guys, I tip and $100-2 each sounds good for a remodel that
lasted 2/whatever weeks.

This is what we're thinking, too.

Mary

"Wayne Boatwright" wrote in message
6.120...

Color me Cheap, too. I don't tip for contracted services. I provide
coffee and donuts, pop and/or iced tea. Beer doesn't belong on the job.

We keep water and soda in the fridge for the workers. On the day the project
started, when we told them to feel free to help themselves to the drinks,
the lead guy politely turned down the offer, telling us they had brought
their own stuff. (I know that they've had at least some of our drinks, as
I've needed to restock a few times.)


I don't tip the people at the local Caribou (coffee house), either.
Shoot me.

I don't tip anywhere I order something at a counter and the ordered item
is
handed to me. Tip jars/cups on a takeaway counter drive me frigging nuts!

Oh, me too. Counter tip jars are just ridiculous.

Mary

"Sheldon" wrote in message
...
Btw, never, NEVER serve
anyone you hire to do any work in your home alcoholic beverages while
they're working.

Yep. Really Bad Idea.

Mary

"Lou Decruss" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:52:07 -0400, Billy Hereiam@hotmaildotcom
wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:18:13 -0400, "MareCat"
wrote:

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls).

Since you are remodeling.....with a new kitchen.....why don't you
invite the helpers for a "nice" lunch. Show off what you just had
installed including your cooking talents.

Some of the shit I read here amazes me.

The last thing the workers want to do is return for a "tip." They
really could care less about the kitchen once it's done. They're off
to the next one. Unless they need to return for a trouble call you
and your job are yesterdays news. They're not there for fun or to
enjoy your company. They're there to make money. Actually most of
the time the workers bees despise the homeowner. Give them a case of
beer or some cash if you can, but don't expect them to come back for a
meal for you to show off what they built.

ITA with this.

Mary

Dirty Harry wrote:

"Peter" wrote in message
...

"MareCat" wrote in message
...

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls). The contractor and workers have been *awesome* so
far (making excellent progress, very easy to work with, constantly giving
us updates, company owner comes to the work site to check work and meet
with us every day, etc.). They're even expecting to complete the project
almost a week earlier than planned (just over two weeks--rather than
three weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give each
of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette for
tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering what
others here have done.

TIA-
Mary

I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a contractor.
Maybe some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can take their better
half out, or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if you think they deserve
it.

I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer for
each of them (3), if they do a good job.


I don't know of any contractors that wouldn't appreciate a case or 2 of good
beer! Might be a good way of saying thanks instead of cash.

Not contractors, but at the barn where my daughter used to board her
horse they paid a small fee in addition to their monthly board to have
their horses trailered to local shows and events.

Granted that the fee was supposed to cover gas and hassle, and granted
that the drivers were taking their own horses up anyway to compete, I
still appreciated the effort and made a point of noticing what the staff
liked to drink, given the opportunity, as opposed to what they mostly
could afford, and generally dropped off a case of Guinness or something
nice to have on bonfire nights - most of them lived on site.

At the local cycling emporium, cash tips to mechanics were discouraged
but boxes of fresh donuts, trays of tall cafe mochas or Blizzards were
happily received.

On Mon 14 Jul 2008 09:17:55p, Kathleen told us...

Dirty Harry wrote:

"Peter" wrote in message
...

"MareCat" wrote in message
...

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new
cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting,
painting, and removing two walls). The contractor and workers have
been *awesome* so far (making excellent progress, very easy to work
with, constantly giving us updates, company owner comes to the work
site to check work and meet with us every day, etc.). They're even
expecting to complete the project almost a week earlier than planned
(just over two weeks--rather than three weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give
each of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette
for tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering
what others here have done.

TIA-
Mary

I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a contractor.
Maybe some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can take their
better half out, or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if you think
they deserve it.

I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer for
each of them (3), if they do a good job.


I don't know of any contractors that wouldn't appreciate a case or 2 of
good beer! Might be a good way of saying thanks instead of cash.

Not contractors, but at the barn where my daughter used to board her
horse they paid a small fee in addition to their monthly board to have
their horses trailered to local shows and events.

Granted that the fee was supposed to cover gas and hassle, and granted
that the drivers were taking their own horses up anyway to compete, I
still appreciated the effort and made a point of noticing what the staff
liked to drink, given the opportunity, as opposed to what they mostly
could afford, and generally dropped off a case of Guinness or something
nice to have on bonfire nights - most of them lived on site.

I view that more of an appreciative gesture of "thanks" than as a tip, per
se.


At the local cycling emporium, cash tips to mechanics were discouraged
but boxes of fresh donuts, trays of tall cafe mochas or Blizzards were
happily received.

Again a nice appreciative gesture.

I tip in restaurants, bellboys in hotels, and taxis...mostly because it's
expected, not particularly because I always feel it's deserved.



--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Monday, 07(VII)/14(XIV)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
'Always cut the cards.' - Heinlein
-------------------------------------------

On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:25:15 -0400, "Peter" wrote:


"MareCat" wrote in message
...
We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls). The contractor and workers have been *awesome* so far
(making excellent progress, very easy to work with, constantly giving us
updates, company owner comes to the work site to check work and meet with
us every day, etc.). They're even expecting to complete the project almost
a week earlier than planned (just over two weeks--rather than three
weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give each
of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette for
tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering what
others here have done.

TIA-
Mary

I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a contractor. Maybe
some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can take their better half out,
or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if you think they deserve it.

She's talking about the worker bees, not the contractor. Cash is
always appropriate. I have no idea what the job cost, but $100 each
wouldn't be out of line if she's that appreciative. The contractor is
making out just fine. Hopefully he's giving his crew a bonus for
this.


I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer for each
of them (3), if they do a good job.




--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

"Melba's Jammin'" wrote in message

Color me Cheap, but I wouldn't be tipping anybody. It's a job they are
paid to do and last I knew, construction workers were well paid. I'd
probably give them a jar of jam and my deep thanks with appreciation.

I don't tip the people at the local Caribou (coffee house), either.
Shoot me.

I bet you don't tip your doctor after a really good physical either.

Having worked as and for contractors in the past, I was well paid but never
received or expected a tip.

"MareCat" wrote in message
...
We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls). The contractor and workers have been *awesome* so far
(making excellent progress, very easy to work with, constantly giving us
updates, company owner comes to the work site to check work and meet with
us every day, etc.). They're even expecting to complete the project almost
a week earlier than planned (just over two weeks--rather than three
weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give each
of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette for
tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering what
others here have done.

TIA-
Mary


I don't tip contractors. If they do a good job, I tell them thank you and
the next time I need work I'll call them.

In article ,
"MareCat" wrote:

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls). The contractor and workers have been *awesome* so far
(making excellent progress, very easy to work with, constantly giving us
updates, company owner comes to the work site to check work and meet with us
every day, etc.). They're even expecting to complete the project almost a
week earlier than planned (just over two weeks--rather than three
weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give each of
the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette for tipping
contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering what others here
have done.

My dad was a contractor and so was his brother. They are retired now,
but they easily had 100 years of experience between them. I literally
worked for them (mostly my dad) from age five to about 20 when I
graduated college and I pursued my own career.

No one ever gave my dad a monetary tip as far as I remember. Believe me,
my dad worked for well above minimum wage. I don't know how much my dad
earned (prevailing opinion is that no one does except him and the IRS).
Back in the 70's when minimum wage was just three dollars an hour, my
dad paid me and an occasional friend $15/hour. We were paid a lot more
then your average restaurant worker, where tips are expected.

A few of my dad's projects were featured in local magazines and one of
them was even featured in a national magazine. My dad used to charge
fairly high rates for major projects such as an addition. I know that
because some customers had the nerve to complain to me that my dad was
expensive. He was also a pain in the neck to work for (very demanding).

Once in a while, a happy customer would bring a bottle of wine to our
house to thank my dad for all his hard work. When I was a kid, some of
the customers would also treat my dad and me to lunch while we were on
the job (such as send out for pizza or sandwiches) and they almost
always offered us cold drinks (which was much appreciated). That was it
though.

So, I suggest to you that instead of a tip, make sure you have plenty of
cold drinks. Ask your contractors what kind of drinks they prefer and
maybe offer to treat them to lunch or have some snacks on hand.

Billy wrote:
On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:18:13 -0400, "MareCat"
wrote:

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new cabinets,
countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting, painting, and
removing two walls).

Since you are remodeling.....with a new kitchen.....why don't you
invite the helpers for a "nice" lunch. Show off what you just had
installed including your cooking talents.

I figure once the job is "done" that the workers will probably want to
get the hell outta there. I doubt they have time to hang around for you
to clean up the new space and then cook for them? And would they want to
come back on another day when they're probably moving on to the next job?

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
On Mon 14 Jul 2008 09:17:55p, Kathleen told us...

Dirty Harry wrote:

"Peter" wrote in message
...

"MareCat" wrote in message
...

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new
cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting,
painting, and removing two walls). The contractor and workers have
been *awesome* so far (making excellent progress, very easy to work
with, constantly giving us updates, company owner comes to the work
site to check work and meet with us every day, etc.). They're even
expecting to complete the project almost a week earlier than planned
(just over two weeks--rather than three weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give
each of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette
for tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering
what others here have done.

TIA-
Mary
I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a contractor.
Maybe some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can take their
better half out, or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if you think
they deserve it.

I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer for
each of them (3), if they do a good job.

I don't know of any contractors that wouldn't appreciate a case or 2 of
good beer! Might be a good way of saying thanks instead of cash.
Not contractors, but at the barn where my daughter used to board her
horse they paid a small fee in addition to their monthly board to have
their horses trailered to local shows and events.

Granted that the fee was supposed to cover gas and hassle, and granted
that the drivers were taking their own horses up anyway to compete, I
still appreciated the effort and made a point of noticing what the staff
liked to drink, given the opportunity, as opposed to what they mostly
could afford, and generally dropped off a case of Guinness or something
nice to have on bonfire nights - most of them lived on site.

I view that more of an appreciative gesture of "thanks" than as a tip, per
se.

At the local cycling emporium, cash tips to mechanics were discouraged
but boxes of fresh donuts, trays of tall cafe mochas or Blizzards were
happily received.

Again a nice appreciative gesture.

I tip in restaurants, bellboys in hotels, and taxis...mostly because it's
expected, not particularly because I always feel it's deserved.



Heh, heh, I do much the same except I only leave a very obvious penny
when the service sucks. I've had people throw the penny at me on my way
out. didn't hurt my feelings and maybe their next customer will be
served properly and not ignored while they chat with their friends, etc.

On Tue 15 Jul 2008 05:38:16a, George Shirley told us...

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
On Mon 14 Jul 2008 09:17:55p, Kathleen told us...

Dirty Harry wrote:

"Peter" wrote in message
...

"MareCat" wrote in message
...

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new
cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring,
lighting, painting, and removing two walls). The contractor and
workers have been *awesome* so far (making excellent progress, very
easy to work with, constantly giving us updates, company owner
comes to the work site to check work and meet with us every day,
etc.). They're even expecting to complete the project almost a week
earlier than planned (just over two weeks--rather than three
weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give
each of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper
etiquette for tipping contractors/workers for projects like this?
Just wondering what others here have done.

TIA-
Mary
I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a
contractor. Maybe some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can
take their better half out, or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if
you think they deserve it.

I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer
for each of them (3), if they do a good job.

I don't know of any contractors that wouldn't appreciate a case or 2
of good beer! Might be a good way of saying thanks instead of cash.
Not contractors, but at the barn where my daughter used to board her
horse they paid a small fee in addition to their monthly board to have
their horses trailered to local shows and events.

Granted that the fee was supposed to cover gas and hassle, and granted
that the drivers were taking their own horses up anyway to compete, I
still appreciated the effort and made a point of noticing what the
staff liked to drink, given the opportunity, as opposed to what they
mostly could afford, and generally dropped off a case of Guinness or
something nice to have on bonfire nights - most of them lived on site.

I view that more of an appreciative gesture of "thanks" than as a tip,
per se.

At the local cycling emporium, cash tips to mechanics were discouraged
but boxes of fresh donuts, trays of tall cafe mochas or Blizzards were
happily received.

Again a nice appreciative gesture.

I tip in restaurants, bellboys in hotels, and taxis...mostly because
it's expected, not particularly because I always feel it's deserved.



Heh, heh, I do much the same except I only leave a very obvious penny
when the service sucks. I've had people throw the penny at me on my way
out. didn't hurt my feelings and maybe their next customer will be
served properly and not ignored while they chat with their friends, etc.

George, I have done exactly the same thing on a few occasions. There are
times when they deserve an insult, and I wouldn't want them to think that I
"forgot" the tip. If there was also a manager handy, I usually voiced my
opinion to them, as well.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 07(VII)/15(XV)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
It would be nice if entropy could be
used for something constructive.
-------------------------------------------