Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
restaurants charge??

There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
of this BS.

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
> restaurants charge??
>
> There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
> fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
> called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
> seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
> and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
> this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
> claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
> do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
> of this BS.

Yes, it is not uncommon. It is extra work for the
restaurant and the server.

Best wishes,
Ericka

A waitstaff angling for a better tip will leave out the
plate sharing fee even if there is one mentioned on the
menu. Especially if you are not under-ordering in general,
it's reasonable not to charge it. It's really there
for people who are taking up too much table space in
exchange for not ordering enough -- such fees go to the
house, not the server.

Steve

Steve Pope wrote:
> A waitstaff angling for a better tip will leave out the
> plate sharing fee even if there is one mentioned on the
> menu. Especially if you are not under-ordering in general,
> it's reasonable not to charge it. It's really there
> for people who are taking up too much table space in
> exchange for not ordering enough -- such fees go to the
> house, not the server.
>
> Steve



Thanks Steve and Ericka...I guess the place was much more "hoity" than
my usual ethnic haunts! I've never had such a fee in any Asian
restaurant (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Pakistani, etc.), even those with
waitstaff and real china, so maybe it's a European cuisine kind of
thing. Though...I've dined at other Spanish restaurants before, and
Italian ones, too, and this plate-sharing fee is news to me. That's
just plain ridiculous...I wish I had the presence of mind at the time
to ask for a $6 salad instead of paying a $6 fee....

In article .com>,
"NYC XYZ" > wrote:

> Steve Pope wrote:
> > A waitstaff angling for a better tip will leave out the
> > plate sharing fee even if there is one mentioned on the
> > menu. Especially if you are not under-ordering in general,
> > it's reasonable not to charge it. It's really there
> > for people who are taking up too much table space in
> > exchange for not ordering enough -- such fees go to the
> > house, not the server.

> Thanks Steve and Ericka...I guess the place was much more "hoity" than
> my usual ethnic haunts! I've never had such a fee in any Asian
> restaurant (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Pakistani, etc.), even those with
> waitstaff and real china, so maybe it's a European cuisine kind of
> thing. Though...I've dined at other Spanish restaurants before, and
> Italian ones, too, and this plate-sharing fee is news to me. That's
> just plain ridiculous...I wish I had the presence of mind at the time
> to ask for a $6 salad instead of paying a $6 fee....

Wait until you bring your own favorite bottle of wine or birthday cake,
and they charge you to uncork/slice it (whether it is you or they who do
the uncorking/slicing)! <G>

While I admit to agreeing that this is unsettling, it is also quite
common enough to be considered customary. The places which do not do
this are "a cut above."

--
Please take off your shoes before arriving at my in-box.
I will not, no matter how "good" the deal, patronise any business which sends
unsolicited commercial e-mail or that advertises in discussion newsgroups.

Miss Elaine Eos wrote:
>
>
>
> Wait until you bring your own favorite bottle of wine or birthday cake,
> and they charge you to uncork/slice it (whether it is you or they who do
> the uncorking/slicing)! <G>

Geez, they should update those old Grey Poupon commmercials from the
'80s!

> While I admit to agreeing that this is unsettling, it is also quite
> common enough to be considered customary. The places which do not do
> this are "a cut above."

I do wonder. The Spanish restaurant I encountered my first-ever
plate-sharing penalty was done up all nice and ritzy...you know, with
heraldry on the walls, a giant plasma TV at the bar, the kind of place
that sees a lot of retirees for dinner and weekend lunch.

> --
> Please take off your shoes before arriving at my in-box.
> I will not, no matter how "good" the deal, patronise any business which sends
> unsolicited commercial e-mail or that advertises in discussion newsgroups.

In article .com>, NYC XYZ
says...
>
>
>Steve Pope wrote:
>> A waitstaff angling for a better tip will leave out the
>> plate sharing fee even if there is one mentioned on the
>> menu. Especially if you are not under-ordering in general,
>> it's reasonable not to charge it. It's really there
>> for people who are taking up too much table space in
>> exchange for not ordering enough -- such fees go to the
>> house, not the server.
>>
>> Steve
>
>
>
>Thanks Steve and Ericka...I guess the place was much more "hoity" than
>my usual ethnic haunts! I've never had such a fee in any Asian
>restaurant (Chinese, Thai, Indian, Pakistani, etc.), even those with
>waitstaff and real china, so maybe it's a European cuisine kind of
>thing. Though...I've dined at other Spanish restaurants before, and
>Italian ones, too, and this plate-sharing fee is news to me. That's
>just plain ridiculous...I wish I had the presence of mind at the time
>to ask for a $6 salad instead of paying a $6 fee....
>

Possibly - this kind of restaurant gets impacted quite a lot by plate-sharing.

I know of one women's wear store that has a rather strict non-return policy on a
certain category of their stock. Before that policy, the returns were nearly
70%. That store and category of stock was a maternity wear store, and the
category was their dress and evening wear. The owner had grown tired of being a
free-for-rent outlet for maternity evening wear.

ZedBatny


--

ZedBanty wrote:
>
>
> Possibly - this kind of restaurant gets impacted quite a lot by plate-sharing.
>
> I know of one women's wear store that has a rather strict non-return policy on a
> certain category of their stock. Before that policy, the returns were nearly
> 70%. That store and category of stock was a maternity wear store, and the
> category was their dress and evening wear. The owner had grown tired of being a
> free-for-rent outlet for maternity evening wear.
>
> ZedBatny
>
>
> --


I don't know if the two situations are analogous...in the women's wear
example, the merchant is clearly at a loss, probably even if s/he
charges restocking fees...but in the case of the restaurant, the diner
is clearly spending money as it is! It simply doesn't make sense to
penalize someone for sharing food...I feel very insulted, actually, and
am definitely not going there again -- have been there before on
occasion, but this particular date only pecks at her food, what can I
say...why penalize me for that...sure it's only $6, but the principle
is downright ridiculous. Like I was saying, the guy oughta try a
fast-food franchise, then, if his bottom line is hurting so bad. I
mean, it's a $20 pot of seafood paella -- I think that dish is meant to
be shared, like getting a whole pie of pizza.

Just how did such a practice ever originate? And why in heck does
anyone tolerate it?? Is this even legal???

On 17 Apr 2006 15:34:13 -0700, "NYC XYZ" >
wrote:

>and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing!

YOU need to get out more in the real world. A "sharing charge" is
common....just like there are no take outs at a Ryan's Steakhouse hog
trough.

Wish these hoity places would post their menus in the window like some
Parisian joints do so I can avoid them and their stupid fees. It's not
like I'm taking up a table during weekend dinner for $10 of salad and
mineral water!



Ward Abbott wrote:
>
>
> YOU need to get out more in the real world. A "sharing charge" is
> common....just like there are no take outs at a Ryan's Steakhouse hog
> trough.

I'm not a big eater, so I get grumpy at that plate sharing charge. Most
of the time, my husband orders an entree and I get a bowl of soup
and/or small salad. We usually don't get charged extra.

trippinkpj wrote:
> I'm not a big eater, so I get grumpy at that plate sharing charge. Most
> of the time, my husband orders an entree and I get a bowl of soup
> and/or small salad. We usually don't get charged extra.

Well I am a big eater, and wound up eating that pot of paella mostly by
myself! The girl just didn't want much beyond the soup and a bit of my
salad and paella -- what can I say? But to charge me an extra $6 on a
$35 tab seems ridiculously petty of them. Again, I only wish I had the
presence of mind then and there to demand another $6 salad instead.

In article .com>, NYC XYZ
says...
>
>
>Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
>restaurants charge??
>
>There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
>fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
>called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
>seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
>and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
>this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
>claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
>do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
>of this BS.
>

I don't know about that practice enough to comment on it as far as propriety (I
don't defend it or condemn it at this point), but you should know that
restaurants operate on a fairly small margin. And that margin is met by having
a certain throughput of diners per seat through the day. If their meals are
often shared (paella as a speciality may be especially subject to that), they
effectively have fewer diners than they've hosted. That's both an opportunity
cost and a real cost.

ZedBanty


--

ZedBanty > wrote:

>I don't know about that practice enough to comment on it as far as propriety (I
>don't defend it or condemn it at this point), but you should know that
>restaurants operate on a fairly small margin. And that margin is met by having
>a certain throughput of diners per seat through the day. If their meals are
>often shared (paella as a speciality may be especially subject to that), they
>effectively have fewer diners than they've hosted. That's both an opportunity
>cost and a real cost.

To my way of thinking, if the genre of food is normally shared
(and that would include Spanish food), it is more nonsensical
to charge for sharing.

Steve

Steve Pope wrote:
>
>
> To my way of thinking, if the genre of food is normally shared
> (and that would include Spanish food), it is more nonsensical
> to charge for sharing.
>
> Steve


With all due respect to those on the other side of this issue, I think
the whole cost factor is a load of bull. How much does it "cost" the
owner or waiter/waitress to bring/wash another fork or plate? If
they're so damned worried about costs, just raise everything on the
menu by a nickel, for Christ's sake! Customers won't really notice,
and then for those relatively few occasions of so-called plate-sharing
(indeed, I too thought food was a communal experience) the
restauranteur can act the gracious host and display the magnanimous
hospitality one would expect of these hoity-poity places!

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Steve Pope wrote:
>>
>> To my way of thinking, if the genre of food is normally shared
>> (and that would include Spanish food), it is more nonsensical
>> to charge for sharing.
>
> With all due respect to those on the other side of this issue, I think
> the whole cost factor is a load of bull. How much does it "cost" the
> owner or waiter/waitress to bring/wash another fork or plate? If
> they're so damned worried about costs, just raise everything on the
> menu by a nickel, for Christ's sake! Customers won't really notice,
> and then for those relatively few occasions of so-called plate-sharing
> (indeed, I too thought food was a communal experience) the
> restauranteur can act the gracious host and display the magnanimous
> hospitality one would expect of these hoity-poity places!

Restaurants succeed or fail based on how full they
can keep the restaurant, how quickly they can turn the tables,
and how high they can keep the average expenditure per table.
Each of these things can't be maxed out without degrading
the diner's experience. Restaurants that are too full
lead to long waits. Restaurants that turn tables too quickly
rush diners. Restaurants that drive prices too high eventually
see a drop in demand. So, they have to balance these things.
A restaurant that takes (and honors) reservations, doesn't
rush diners, and doesn't charge outrageous prices may be
much more in need of that split meal fee than a restaurant
that maximizes throughput (and consequently makes diners
wait for an opening and then rushes them through their
meal).

Best wishes,
Ericka

Ericka Kammerer wrote:
>
>
> Restaurants succeed or fail based on how full they
> can keep the restaurant, how quickly they can turn the tables,
> and how high they can keep the average expenditure per table.
> Each of these things can't be maxed out without degrading
> the diner's experience.

Okay, some background, then: pop used to own Hunan Kitchen over on
B'way between W75th & 76th (it's now a bank or something). We even had
lines out the door, especially after some show at the nearby Beacon
Theatre. I've peeled shrimp and washed dishes and bussed tables and
delivered take-out, etc., so I know a bit about the restaurant business
-- monthly rent back in the late '80s was ~$35K!!!!

But I still maintain that it doesn't add to any tangible cost to
provide an extra plate or fork. And raising prices across the board by
a mere nickel or dime, if cost is the real reason for being a
cheapskate to one's dining patrons, would boost average income without
alienating customers.

> Restaurants that are too full
> lead to long waits. Restaurants that turn tables too quickly
> rush diners. Restaurants that drive prices too high eventually
> see a drop in demand. So, they have to balance these things.
> A restaurant that takes (and honors) reservations, doesn't
> rush diners, and doesn't charge outrageous prices may be
> much more in need of that split meal fee than a restaurant
> that maximizes throughput (and consequently makes diners
> wait for an opening and then rushes them through their
> meal).

I don't see how you can really rush your diners through their meals.
But again, raising prices by a mere nickel all-around isn't going to
discourage anyone if your cooking's any good, and it saves you from
being a petty cheapskate about something as simple as sharing dishes.
I mean, families do it all the time. I understand not every
establishment is a "family restaurant," but come on...how's it any
different if I took the food home and shared it? That extra fork or
plate gonna kill your business -- even if a good 10% of your patrons do
it?

I know about slim margins and all -- but then you might as well not
bother providing napkins, or start charging for more than three napkins
per person, etc. Frankly, there are lots of ways to fleece your
patrons if you really want to -- no more free tap water, no more
condiments beyond the initial serving...why not just institute a
minimum "in-dining" tab of $25, the way even greasy spoons have a
delivery minimum of $10?

I'm simply unconvinced that plate-sharing eats into anyone's business.
Frankly, if business is that bad, the owner should convert the joint to
a pizza parlor or McDonald's franchise.

> Best wishes,
> Ericka

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
> restaurants charge??
>
> There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
> fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
> called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
> seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
> and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
> this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
> claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
> do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
> of this BS.

I guess you don't get out much, as sharing fees have been on the menu
for decades. Often the wait staff doesn't enforce the sharing fee,
especially if the total order per person is sufficiently high. Other
restaurants implement a minimum order amount per person, which I think
is a fairer way of ensuring that seats are not used by people that
aren't ordering enough to cover the fixed costs.

The Spanish restaurant we go to on occasion, requires two orders to make
a paella, they won't do it for one person.

SMS wrote:
>
>
> I guess you don't get out much,

I guess you missed the part where I noted that I dine rather widely.

> as sharing fees have been on the menu
> for decades.

Oh, man, it's worse than I thought!

> Often the wait staff doesn't enforce the sharing fee,
> especially if the total order per person is sufficiently high. Other
> restaurants implement a minimum order amount per person, which I think
> is a fairer way of ensuring that seats are not used by people that
> aren't ordering enough to cover the fixed costs.

What the hell, just have a damn cover charge or something, then! I
mean, honestly, if it's about minimum orders and all, let's come out
with it. It's damned ridiculous to have to note the fine print when
you're in a restaurant trying to relax with good food and company.

> The Spanish restaurant we go to on occasion, requires two orders to make
> a paella, they won't do it for one person.

There you go, a paella is a communal dish! What the hell are they
expecting, anyway? If it weren't for not wanting to make a scene in
front of the date (who was a bit incredulous herself), I would have
insisted he bagged us a salad to go for the stupid $6 fee! Why, had I
known this restauranteur was on the verge of starvation because of
plate-sharing diners, I would have had ready in hand for him a referral
card for the local soup kitchen!

Don't you just love these penny-pinching businessmen who claim costs
and poverty while exploiting illegals in the kitchen....

NYC XYZ wrote:
> SMS wrote:
>>
>> I guess you don't get out much,
>
> I guess you missed the part where I noted that I dine rather widely.
>
>> as sharing fees have been on the menu
>> for decades.
>
> Oh, man, it's worse than I thought!
>
>> Often the wait staff doesn't enforce the sharing fee,
>> especially if the total order per person is sufficiently high. Other
>> restaurants implement a minimum order amount per person, which I think
>> is a fairer way of ensuring that seats are not used by people that
>> aren't ordering enough to cover the fixed costs.
>
> What the hell, just have a damn cover charge or something, then!

The minimum order is an alternative to a cover charge. Just like some
night clubs are "no cover, two drink minimum."

"NYC XYZ" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
> restaurants charge??
>
> There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
> fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
> called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
> seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
> and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
> this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
> claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
> do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
> of this BS.

I don't understand why you're so upset about this. I don't eat out all that
often but I know that sharing charges aren't that uncommon. I've seen them
listed on menus many times.

From now on, check the menu carefully. If there is a charge for sharing, it
should be listed, typically at the bottom of the menu in the same place
where a restaurant might point out that a gratuity will be added to the bill
for parties of more than a certain number of people. If a sharing charge is
listed and it offends you that much, then leave without ordering. (After
paying for drinks or whatever that you've already received, of course.)

If the menu doesn't list a sharing charge then let the waiter know when you
order that you intend to share. If the waiter tells you then there's a
charge, politely state that under that circumstance you'll be leaving, and
go. (Again of course after paying for anything you ordered and received.)

If you're not informed either in writing or by the waiter that there's a
charge for sharing, then I think you have a legitimate complaint that you
should bring up with the restaurant's manager. Otherwise I don't see that
you have cause for complaint.

Anny