StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

ST saw a sign on a tip jar (more like a bucket) today in a coffee shop that said in bold letters:  “TIPPING BUILDS CHARACTER.”  ST begs to differ…it's providing good quality service to customers that builds character, not guilt-tripping people into leaving gratuities.

Valentine’s Day Review

Bartolino’s Osteria

“Each day is Valentine’s Day”
My Funny Valentine by Rodgers and Hart

StingyTipper and ST’s spouse enjoyed a romantic (but quick!) dinner at Bartolino’s Osteria on Valentine’s Day.  Located at Hampton and I-44 in the Hampton Inn and Suites at Forest Park,  Bartolino’s Osteria has been on the short list of places StingyTipper has wanted to dine since it opened in its new location, and Valentine’s Day presented the perfect opportunity to rediscover this long-time favorite St. Louis dining establishment, this time equipped with the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. rating system. 

For a restaurant that provides a fine dining experience, StingyTipper was surprised at the informality of the red-shirt clad young male host who showed ST and company to their reserved table in the lovely main dining room; he gave the impression that he would be better suited for seating guests at a Denny’s.  But the assigned table waiter compensated for this with his smooth elegance and intriguing sartorial presentation.  StingyTipper was also disconcerted by the fact that the new wool overcoat ST was wearing ($400.00 at Macy's) had to be hung on a coat rack right by the front door rather than securely checked in a coat room.  

Though StingyTipper was disappointed that the regular menu had been replaced with a special, more limited Valentine’s Day menu (and had to ask whether that was indeed the case rather than being proactively informed of this substitution upon greeting/seating), nevertheless, there were sufficient choices to make for a satisfying dining experience.  Our waiter was thoroughly familiar with the limited offerings for the evening and deftly described in detail the one special of the night. All
E—Equity—issues (lighted candle, bread and butter service, assigned staff with prompt response, water and set-ups, etc.) were nicely addressed.    

Although the hovering presence of the service support team made StingyTipper a bit uncomfortable (too efficiently removing service items almost immediately upon course completion—what was the big rush?), at least we never had to worry about putting our sleeves inadvertently in a puddle of salad dressing or cream sauce.

With the exception of the host and hostess (owners??) checking in with us personally regarding our experience and satisfaction, quiet responsive efficiency characterized the overall service experience, as opposed to friendly warm engagement; which actually suited ST’s mood just fine that particular evening.   Though not “rushed” per se, there was a general sense of “service efficiency” designed to turn tables (after all this was Valentine’s Day), thereby precluding any long, lingering conversations while staring into the eyes of one’s beloved.  Given that packing for an early morning flight to Arizona for a work assignment was next up on the evening’s agenda, it’s probably just as well that Valentine’s Day dinner for StingyTipper only lasted from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

All in all, a very satisfying S.E.R.V.I.C.E. experience at Bartolino’s Osteria (topped off with the best ever waiter-recommended carrot cake, tipping the Informed score a notch higher!), with StingyTipper leaving a respectable 18% gratuity based on the following S.E.R.V.I.C.E. criteria rating scores: 

Scoring Key

1 = Unsatisfactory    2 = Satisfactory    3 = Commendable

S.E.R.V.I.C.E. SCORE

Salutation                     =  2

Equity                            =  3

Responsiveness            =  3

Value                             =  2

Informed                       =  3

Comfort                         =  3

Experience                     =  2

            Total Score:                   18 = 18%

Gratuity Scoring Guidelines



                   "Stingy"                        7-10 = Tip Same %          

                   "Not-too-Stingy"      11-14 = Tip 15%               

                   "Gracious"                   15-21 = Tip Same %

              

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

Don't think of tipping as an afterthought.  Rather, be deliberative and intentional about "paying for" the service you receive.  After all, you're not "getting what you pay for," you're paying for what you get!  

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

Remember that in most restaurants there is a “team” of people involved in your table service, not just your head waiter; and your tip (Calculated Using the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. Rating System ) should reflect the team effort.   

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

Don't be afraid to leave a stingy tip for unsatisfactory service.  Just remember it's the only "power" you have to send a message about poor service.  Hopefully, the message will be heard and service will improve if enough diners exercise their "power."

StingyTipper's Tip of the Week

 

Remember:   “Don’t take it out on the server, take it up with the management”….whenever you are not satisfied with something within the “Comfort” dimension of the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. rating system due to things outside the direct control of your server. 

Happy Dining.  And don’t be too stingy—it’s a tough enough world out there!