I just picked up a book from the library today. It's called Keep the Change by Steve Dublanica. On the cover it says A Clueless Tipper's Quest to Become the Guru of the Gratuity. I read Dublanica's first book called Waiter Rant last year and really enjoyed it. Waiter Rant was about Steve's experiences working as a waiter in an upscale restaurant outside New York City. It reminded me of Anthony Bourdain's bestseller Kitchen Confidential except it's about the waiter's experiences rather than the chef's.
Here is the description of Keep the Change from Goodreads:
In America, tipping is (usually) avoidable, but not thinking about voluntary gratuities is completely impossible. Every day, we are confronted with awkward decisions about who to tip, how much to pay for different services, and even how to share our loot. There is no doubt that we succumb: Each year, we Americans spend $66 billion on tips, but as Waiter Rant author and blog keeper Steve Dublanica knows from hard experience, tipping behavior ranges widely from patron to patron and from profession to profession. To test the waters, or more specifically the outstretched palms, Dublanica traveled the continent, inquiring about handout habits everywhere he went. The venues fit almost every description; from working class bars and family restaurants to barbershops, beauty salons, public bathrooms and strip clubs. A fascinating book about a much-discussed topic that touches us all.
I hope I enjoy Keep the Change as much as Waiter Rant. I may end up thinking twice the next time I have to leave a tip!
Paris 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
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We always ask for the same waitress because she knows exactly what we like and want. It is the little things that count and leaving a good tip makes us feel as good as the recipient.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was so much to know about tipping! I probably don't tip enough...
ReplyDeleteI'm almost done with this book and I really like it! There is a lot of life wisdom here besides how to tip for every kind of service imaginable!
ReplyDeleteHere is my review of Keep the Change that I posted on Goodreads -
ReplyDeleteI read Steve's first book Waiter Rant last year and really enjoyed it but I like Keep the Change even more. It's well-written, informative, witty and entertaining with some good life lessons as well. For instance -
"Beauty workers can't fix who you are as a person. Beauty comes only when you accept who you are. When you accept the truth of yourself. It's a journey we all have to make. I'm still working on it."
"Any job doing is worth doing well."
"And as I've learned from bitter experience, you can never make anyone change her life until she's ready to change it."
It's interesting to read why some people are better tippers than others and what those in the service industry have to say about it. I'll remember this book the next time I leave a tip!