Being Shamed Overseas

 As I was sitting outside my workplace, sipping my lemonade and enjoying the late part of the afternoon which was not so hot, a gentlemen approached me. 

He asked my permission to share something, to which I had no problem and then what he told me, completely shocked me. 

The gentlemen said that he travels with his wife to Europe every now and then, and while he was there he was exposed to a revelation that he never thought could be true. He was at restaurant there and there was a group of American tourists who were also there to eat. And to this group waiter asked the Maitre’d to not to give seats and just tell them that all the seats reserved, just because they were AMERICAN. 

To this my curiosity grew.

And I asked why? And he told me as Europeans perceive American to be cheap when tipping the restaurant staff. Of all the countries they found Americans to be so bad that they rather have their tables empty then deal with Americans. 

I couldn’t say much as this required some time to think. But then it occurred to me. This must be happening because we are society have stop feeling gratitude for what we have. We have become so entitled that we expect every cushion should be provided to us. We have stopped feeling for the working class. We don’t realize the amount of hard work, positivity and zest is required is required for service staff. 

I am also against over tipping or tipping at places that is not required or where margin to tip is non-existent. But a certain amount of gratuity is necessary for service staff at restaurant, bars and hotels. They are given bare minimum per hour, expect to maintain high standards of hygiene (especially post-covid) and abused with too many questions, solicitations and demands. 

Remember these people are working under constant pressure from bosses, chefs, and bosses. We dont have to make it any more difficult for them to earn a paycheck

Here is what can we do to change this perspective abroad? Let’s make the change at home first. 

1. Don’t bark your orders to the service staff

2. Tip appropriately, taco trucks tipping is not the same as Olive Garden or at Nobu. There is appropriation to what you are receiving. 

3. Don’t think of a woman serving you as chance to flirt with them. 

4. Don’t comment on things that dont relate to what you are there for. 

5. Behave like you are leaving an impression not at them but everyone watching including kids. They learn by watching.

6. Try tipping cash, in this way they receive it the same day.

7. Make up your mind before ordering, dont change it every minute. They are working with large patience but let’s not test it. 

8. Let’s make service a workable profession, not a cautious one.