Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> "The Ranger" wrote:
>
> > Would you bribe your way in to a high-caliber restaurant?
>
> No. �I probably wouldn't go to a high-caliber restaurant if it didn't
> require a bribe, either. �Just not my scene.
>
> It's just food, for Pete's sake. �(I know that's heresy here, but
> whether
> you pay $2 or $200, it all ends up the same.) �Of course, a woman has
> to have some standards, but I prefer a middle-of-the-road approach.
> My idea of a special night out is dinner for two at an Asian fusion
> place
> in Ann Arbor. �Since we don't drink... wine, it's usually about $70
> for
> both of us.

Depends what's meant by "high-calber", the OP is mute on that point...
at $70 for essentially stir fry I'd call that high caliber prices..
and since you don't drink... booze, you can do just as well at less
than half that price at a neighborhood golden wok take out... hey, as
you say it all ends up the same. But that's not the point... you can
ride from point A to point B in a Toyota Corolla but it just ain't
nearly the same ride as in a Chrysler 300 SRT.

There are plenty of very popular eateries that don't cost very much at
all (The Ground Round on Lung Guyland - essentially a burger joint)
where folks line up 50 deep and wait two hours for a table, they don't
take reservations and you can't bribe your way in... they grind the
meat right out in the open, and they make the best onion rings served
mountain high, But I don't stand on line to eat anywhere, haven't
since boot camp... so I've only been a few times at off hours on week
days (when I didn't see many cars in the parking lot I might hang a
quick left), a really great burger with all the fixings and a beer
cost like $15 per... The Ground Round is a high-caliber burger joint.

But if I'm going to pay like $100-$150 a couple for a steak dinner at
a high caliber place (to me high caliber means proper attire too)
what's a ten spot to the hostess to ensure a better seating location
and to get seated ahead of two other couples who are too tight
fisted. When you tip the hostess word passes at the get-go to all the
other staff and you do indeed get better service, and better food and
drink. Everything in life has its price and not all things are
equal... there are steak dinners and there are Steak Dinners... there
are dentists and there are Dentists. You can call it chi-chi Asian
fusion all you like, it's stir fry... I wouldn't spend $70 at any
restaurant for a small plate of sauted onions and broccoli with a few
tiny bits of mystery meat swimming in thickened bouillion cube
sauce... and all "fusion" means is that it's way over priced for
teensy portions of mediocre food served with a paper umbrella.

The only reason I go out to eat is for a pleasant change of decor and
attentive service... if I'm not willing to open my wallet for service
then I can eat just as well if not better at home... in fact I know I
can always eat better at home but I'll have to do all the labor. I
don't know why so many folks think labor should be free.. when you tip
the hostess you are making a tacit contract for their attentitiveness
to their ensuring your experience is more pleasurable... how is that
service not labor, labor that requires renumeration... when the
hostess comes to my table a couple three times during dinner to ask if
everything is okay that alone is what ensures everything will be okay,
the other staff aren't blind.

The exhorbitant prices on the menu is for food only, really not a whit
of difference from the exhorbitant prices on a vending machine, always
remember that when you go to any restaurant you are not owed any
consideration other than having food placed in front of you. Anyone
unwilling to tip really should eat home... if unwilling to cook or
unable there are literally hundreds of take outs, many will even
deliver... but then you had better tip, or never order from them
again. And usually those delivery emplyees in the neighborhood know
each other and talk to each other, and in turn talk to the cooks as
well... don't stiff them.