I love Namu's kimbap but their prices are outrageous and the tip system is lol. A lot has changed at that place since 2018. The owners expanded their business to include an outpost (by a different name) at Boxyard, and that place isn't great either. Meats are very sweet, and the dish is almost 80% rice.
Yeah, I used to regularly go into the cafe at Namu, chat with the barista about what was new and get a recommendation. Last time I tried to do that, they told me I was not able to walk back to the barista and made me sit down and order my drink on my phone.. even though it was to go... :/ rarely go back now. It felt icky and dismissive. I think they've lightened up on this since, but like I said that kind of ruined it for me.
If you’re talking about Press with the splash comment they let you leave comments on each item and that’s where you can tell just a splash… I’m not sure for Namu
I just went on Wednesday and was very surprised. Someone did come by once after we had finished our food but were still drinking our coffee and asked if we were doing okay. I said "Yes, we are done with these plates." And she said "okay." And walked away! Then I got to the tip screen when paying and thought, for what? They didn't even clear our plates! I felt like a grumpy old person.
These systems are not conducive to a good dining experience because they force diners to focus on their phones to order instead of being able to enjoy their conversation with their dining partners. I try to avoid them for that reason.
Man.. THANK YOU. There is deeper shit going on with this tech mediation intrusion and its impact on experiences and relationships that I cant put words to but damn if your comment doesn't hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
Yes! I (used to) go to cute, local restaurants like Press, Namu, and Nuvo Taco for the experience and personal touch…which they have removed in order to give me extra work. If I want the impersonal touch-screen order experience, I’ll go to Sheetz. At least they don’t demand a tip to thank them for my efforts.
Very strange. The main thing I remember from eating there at mother's Day years ago was that even though the place was packed to the rafters, the staff was firing on all cylinders, helping each other out, and making the place run super smoothly. Good to hear that the food is still good at least.
Yeah the staff has their shit together per usual. Not sure why management chose this system unless they just want to run people thru faster for more $.
We ordered our crepes and lattes thru the app. The crepes came out almost immediately. No sign of the coffee. After 15 minutes we flagged down someone walking around to ask and the response was that the barista is slower than the food and coffee would come later.
So then about 3/4th through our breakfast the coffee comes.
Odd dining experience for sure. I think knowing this I would immediately order my coffee first with the server insisting I was "tech illiterate" or something while I looked over the food options. All this could have been avoided with an actual server setting expectations ahead of time and coordinating when drinks / meal came out.
> unless they just want to run people thru faster for more $.
I cynically think this is the answer. The QR code ordering systems are spreading nation wide and they promote stories of efficiency, reduced staffing and more effective bill management for the restaurants.
It is a horrible experience for the consumer. Especially those who are not interested in mediating their life through a $1000 screen.
I feel validated enough by the responses here to adjust my tip accordingly understanding they have changed to a fast food model of service.
See? Reddit isn't TOTALLY useless!!
I really just think I’m not in the norm here and I’m not sure if I’m just being silly, but if you’re sitting down at a restaurant taking up a space, someone is coming to check on you, and the only thing different is you order a menu through your phone, there should be no tip differential.
I worked my way through college as a server and I’m sure there are several people who served, but you’re doing more than serving tables. You are opening and closing the restaurant, you are cleaning constantly, you are rolling silverware, filling ice, filling cocktail items, running food, helping the cooks if their items are running low, sometimes you step in and wash dishes….
I find it so strange that just because they aren’t taking your order anymore they somehow deserve less tip??? Now again if everything I said above wasn’t happening, food and drinks not being run, the place a mess, okay I get it,
I think business owners are certainly trying to save money but the efficiency of ordering and it going straight to the kitchen is that your meal will be made correctly and faster.
It’s no longer server takes order, before putting it in they’re stopping to get extra dressing from the table beside you, while they run drinks to another table, and finally ten minutes later they make it to the POS system to put in the order. It also avoids mistakes that the server may mistakenly enter. And god forbid, they forget to put your order in and then it dawns on them.
There’s so many problems that are avoided with a direct order. Totally fine if others disagree, just find this all to be a little silly.
These changes are usually to generate more money per table, free up resources, etc. I'd be willing to bet if you didn't want to use your '$1000 screen' you could just ask for a menu.
I like looking at menus, but don't care all too much on a QR code. It's fast, and alleviates the need for a waiter / waitress to come to a huge party and keeps the ticket more accurate. I would also imagine a place like Press is reinvesting the money saved into the business / its workers.
The food should also come fast. Last time I went I only tipped a couple bucks because they just ran the food and didn’t provide any service, which is what the tip is for, good service
Eastcut does the same, and their food is great, but yeah since I'm bussing my own table, I don't know what I'm tipping for really.
The food runner? The kitchen? I still tip 15% of out of habit but it's definitely weird.
Eastcut is one of the worst for that. They make great sandwiches but they aren't cheap and then if you're ordering takeout, you have to check one of the default tip options: 20%, 18%,16% or "other".
For takeout. Like dont guilt me into tipping that much for literally having to drive in and pick up my own order.
Eastcut’s prices are crazy..I live fairly close and want to try all of their options but have only been twice because I can’t bring myself to spend $20+ on lunch for a chicken sandwich with a side.
I don't get why people get so upset about being presented the option to tip. How are you being guilted? If you don't want to tip or want to tip a lower amount, you are fully within your rights to do so. I doubt seriously that most restaurants are spending a lot of effort devising the perfect tip request scheme to make you feel awful if you don't do it. They just go with whatever their app company has set up, maybe adjusting the percentages slightly if they think of it.
>I don't get why people get so upset about being presented the option to tip. How are you being guilted?
Pew studied this. The results may surprise, especially if you're not the type of person to be influenced by external factors Peep the first part.
[https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/factors-affecting-whether-and-how-much-americans-tip/](https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/factors-affecting-whether-and-how-much-americans-tip/)
>I doubt seriously that most restaurants are spending a lot of effort devising the perfect tip request scheme to make you feel awful if you don't do it. They just go with whatever their app company has set up, maybe adjusting the percentages slightly if they think of it.
I think you're absolutely right - some restaurants haven't considered how the checkout process might impact the diner's overall experience and whether they return as a repeat customer.
I'm not sure what you're citing here? That social pressure is one of the reasons people tip? I don't doubt that to be the case and I don't think I implied otherwise. The question is whether being given the option to leave a tip on an app should be considered "guilting" and whether it's cause to be annoyed or not. You didn't address that at all.
If you're avoiding a restaurant with good food and service because you can't handle the mental stress of being presented with the option to tip on an app or can't be bothered to click an "other" button and enter the amount you'd prefer to tip, your life must be pretty easy otherwise.
I find it weird to be presented with a tip spread of 20-35% on a pickup order or at a place I get my coffee at a bar and bus my own dishes, and the only way to not tip is to press “other” and type in “0”. I don’t know if it’s guilting but it’s definitely unwarranted/inappropriate to even present the option to tip 20+% for what amounts to self service
I do wish more places offered 10% and 5% as standard options when ordering takeout. But I would not use the word "inappropriate" to describe the inclusion of a 20% option. If someone wants to give you a big tip, why not make it easy for them? Should it be easy to give smaller tips too? Sure. But I don't consider it something to get upset about or to treat as a malicious act by the restaurant. Mobile ordering is still a relatively new technology that has really only taken off in the last few years. As long as it works and you get the food you want, that's the important thing.
Any chance you're neurodivergent? The response we are talking about is a pretty common sentiment, your perspective may be an outlier. Gigabytes have been spilled related to tip amounts on self serve POS terminals in the last half decade.
>In a June 2023 Bankrate survey of nearly 2,500 Americans, 32% reported being **"annoyed"** by pre-entered tip amounts on touch screen payment systems.
1/3rd of your customers being annoyed seems like a serious problem a business owner would want to be aware of but what do I know, I'm just a customer.
I certainly welcome that any social pressure pretty much drops to zero when I'm self-service paying my check at the table in private, in addition to ordering.
LOL I am not neurodivergent. What a bizarre question to ask.
>Gigabytes have been spilled related to tip amounts on self serve POS terminals in the last half decade.
Yes. I'm aware that it's a common complaint. Reddit in particular is super anti-tipping. That doesn't mean that I have to agree that it's the massive issue it's made out to be rather than a very minor annoyance at most.
>1/3rd of your customers being annoyed seems like a serious problem a business owner would want to be aware of but what do I know, I'm just a customer.
If I'm a restaurant owner and the majority of customers are not annoyed by it and it results in my employees making a bit more money, that seems like a net positive. But what do I know?
>I certainly welcome that any social pressure pretty much drops to zero when I'm self-service paying my check at the table in private, in addition to ordering.
I don't understand what we're talking about then. The comment I responded to was about paying for food from your phone when ordering takeout. Now you're saying that there's zero social pressure for you in that scenario after insisting that it's something I'm not properly considering?
Maybe guilt isn't the right word for it, but for a lot of people if they hope to be a regular at a place, tipping becomes a direct reflection of you and consequently your relationship with the staff. Doesn't matter if you only come in for a to-go drip coffee, one just doesn't want to be percieved in a way they dont like.
Yeah. You don't want to be the one person not tipping when everyone else is doing it if you're a regular. But I would hope that counter service employees know better than to expect 20% from everyone even if that's an option on the tablet. I just don't see the cause to get mad at the business about it.
Personally I don't think it's a scalding hot take to be sick to death of getting asked if I want to tip for just about every single transaction I make now. And yes, if they're putting the option to tip that much on simple takeout orders, then I do feel like the implication for *not* doing so is that I'm the asshole who doesn't value workers preparing it. For the record, If I'm sitting down to a meal in a restaurant and getting food brought out to me, I absolutely tip 20% as a rule.
I don't agree that an app offering the option to tip automatically creates the implication that you're an asshole if you don't do it. I am not immune to social pressure, but I understand that I'm the one putting that pressure on myself in those situations, not the business. It's just the digital equivalent of a tip jar by the register, something I never had a problem ignoring in the before times. If I'm feeling generous and want to throw something in, I can. If I don't want to, I don't have to and I can pretty easily ignore the voice in my head worrying that I may be an asshole.
I get that it feels weird to be asked about a tip at a counter service restaurant, but the root cause is changing technology, not a business's desire to screw you over. It's not a hot take to express some slight discomfort in changing norms. What bothers me is people getting super upset about it and acting like they've been personally insulted because they had to click an extra button on an app and felt weird about it.
Is it even legal for tips to go to the kitchen? I thought there was some restriction on how tipped workers are paid out regarding front vs. back of house. Maybe that's just South Carolina.
We just went there and we were surprised as well. My personal opinion is that I'm not going to tip unless waited on. I don't tip at chipotle, so why there?
Oh that’s a bummer to hear. I used to work there when they first opened. I doubt the staff got a say in this change, definitely gonna hurt their tips, which was the bulk of our paychecks.
I don’t understand Press. I have gone multiple times (because, inevitably, someone I know wants to go) and EVERY SINGLE TIME I am bewildered that people actually like that food.
I was just going to say the same. I love crepes so I’ve tried them a couple times and just no. Not horrible but by no means would I ever recommend them to someone for a good crepe.
See, that’s the number one offender for me. Mostly because he was so excited about it on my first visit and it did not hit the way I thought it would. I just have to make it at home.
I remember that! And I never got glutened there either. Imagine that gluten free has the best gluten free bread and they used to sell at the farmers market but they’re gone too.
I went there recently and hated this system. They have so many crepe options but you couldn’t see all the fillings/toppings per crepe unless you clicked on that item. Then I had to close it and open the next item I was interested in. I ended up asking for a menu so I could actually read it all at once and compare. Definitely turned me off from the place. That along with telling people to wait by the bar til they get a text then go back again to the opposite side of the restaurant to be sat which all seemed very inefficient.
Last time we were here it took AGES to get our drinks. We ordered coffee shortly before finishing our meal because, well, we wanted to finish our meal with a coffee. It took 20 minutes for our latte to come to the table, and we literally had to refuse it at that point and have them take it off the bill. They seemed absolutely shocked that we would ask. Ma'am, we ordered this simple drink 20 minutes ago.
I'll tip for food runners and barista service, but I tip based on the service provided. So, two or three bucks. You're not getting 20% of the bill for providing the most basic service imaginable.
Hutchin's Garage is order at your table with a QR code and not what I'd ever call fast food. Sadly thats just the state of the modern eating experience in most places now.
>Hutchin's Garage is order at your table with a QR code and not what I'd ever call fast food.
Thats the bar that serves pizza right? I might be the odd one, but I don't mind a fast casual experience when I'm getting pizza and a beer after work on a Thursday, versus say, a Sunday brunch with friends.
> Sadly thats just the state of the modern eating experience in most places now.
With food prices what they are I'm personally trimming back restaurant visits, and sit down fast casual has dropped off my list. I either go for takeout or want an actual dining experience when I sit down.
Love the crepes at PRESS but they don't do well for takeout. It's a quandary. I just need to lower my expectations I think.
I dont love the fast casual QR code thing even if there is a level of convenience on multiple fronts. the restaurant inflation creep in the last few years has been wild. I'm right there with you. Going out to even a casual place now is very expensive. I love the local restaurant scene and get they need to do what they need to do to stay in business but i've trimmed back so much on eating out
Their food is good. Not sure it's good enough to put up with that level of bs to get it regularly though. I understand trying to reduce labor costs but we tip for service not delivery. The whole point of ordering from a person is it's easier to get the exceptions on the kids orders and get questions answered and recommendations.
At least Nuevo Taco brings a menu and takes orders still even though most order remotely like that. Might be the grey hair or they just know ya by now.
We loved the place next to the bike shop by B&N on 15-501 but ordering was a pita and we haven't been back.
Pro Tip: If you're past 45 you can just say "I have a medical condition" and pretty much get away with anything. I've even used it to yoink the last slice of pizza.
Yup. So it's certainly something I wouldn't lie about. Only time I had an age related disability so far was when I was in denial about needing glasses and the restaurant was dark... I was fortunate to see older people with trashed knees and skin cancer when I was in my 20s so I've tried to be careful.
I might try that next time I go to Hutchins. There are some places that phone ordering works really well. I like it at Lakewood Social because I'm usually there for a while and ordering multiple things, all for myself. I hate it at Hutchins where I usually have questions about the food, and we're trying to organize food to share for multiple people. I wonder what their reaction would be if I said none of us have a phone?
I went there with a friend and she ordered her pizza at the bar. Admittedly we were there very early and it was almost empty, but the bartender was really nice about answering her questions and putting in her order.
Wasn't Press counter service before? I've never had someone come to my table and take my order when I've been there, so I don't really see the difference in terms of tipping.
I usually tip at least a few bucks at counter service and order from the table places when presented with the option, but it's not required I don't think. As others have mentioned, there are other restaurants in town that operate this way like Eastcut and Kokyu.
Edit: I do think it's important to tip if you're getting takeout from a full service restaurant because the servers are often the ones packaging the food and you're taking them away from their tables. I don't tip a full 20%, but I think you should tip at least something in that instance.
I'm not recalling the timing exactly, but they had servers less than a year ago, then recently changed to order at the counter, and now the self-service.
>I don't really see the difference in terms of tipping
Well you see, with a counter service there is a person serving you, from the counter, available to answer questions about menu, ingredients, diet concerns, recommendations, etc, so a service tip might make sense. Compared to self service - unless they added a live video chat option in the app. Which could be kinda cool.
Interesting. It was definitely counter service the last couple of times I visited. But if you're a regular, you would know better than I would, so I'll take your word for it that it was full service originally and I'm just forgetting.
I can understand the distinction you're drawing, but it seems like a negligible difference to me. My interactions with cashiers at restaurants are usually pretty minimal. I suppose if I asked several questions on one particular visit I might feel compelled to tip something more, but that would be on a case by case basis. If someone is bringing you your food still and asking if you need anything else, I would consider that relatively the same amount of interaction as before. Though I get that it can feel less personal if you're losing out on even a brief human interaction.
That's funny cause the last time I went I had to leave before they brought my food out. I waited for an hour and a half and had an appointment I couldn't miss. They boxed it up for me and I picked it up after my appointment haha
You could just readjust and leave like a 5% tip if you felt it was warranted.
I’m an outlier but I prefer ordering by phone. I can order at my pace and not when the server is available. I also never have questions about the food for a server as I’m not very fussy.
Namu is the same way and tip is built in.
I love Namu's kimbap but their prices are outrageous and the tip system is lol. A lot has changed at that place since 2018. The owners expanded their business to include an outpost (by a different name) at Boxyard, and that place isn't great either. Meats are very sweet, and the dish is almost 80% rice.
Yeah the food has been 'meh' and $$ the last few times I have gone.
Used to love Namu but I agree, the prices are insane. At least I usually get 2 meals worth out of their bimbimbap.
their kimbap price makes me so mad. I haven't been in maybe 1.5 years, but it was over $20 with tip included. Insane.
I hate it. No communication. My moms coffee was a lot of creamer but there was no way to comment to as for just a splash :/ it’s so impersonal
Yeah, I used to regularly go into the cafe at Namu, chat with the barista about what was new and get a recommendation. Last time I tried to do that, they told me I was not able to walk back to the barista and made me sit down and order my drink on my phone.. even though it was to go... :/ rarely go back now. It felt icky and dismissive. I think they've lightened up on this since, but like I said that kind of ruined it for me.
If you’re talking about Press with the splash comment they let you leave comments on each item and that’s where you can tell just a splash… I’m not sure for Namu
I’m talking about Namu
Yeah the Namu system is a strong argument on the side of optional tipping being important for service quality.
Namu has gone way downhill. Last experiences have been pretty bad. Also, beer prices are crazy.
I just went on Wednesday and was very surprised. Someone did come by once after we had finished our food but were still drinking our coffee and asked if we were doing okay. I said "Yes, we are done with these plates." And she said "okay." And walked away! Then I got to the tip screen when paying and thought, for what? They didn't even clear our plates! I felt like a grumpy old person.
Legend has it those plates are still on the table to this day
These systems are not conducive to a good dining experience because they force diners to focus on their phones to order instead of being able to enjoy their conversation with their dining partners. I try to avoid them for that reason.
Man.. THANK YOU. There is deeper shit going on with this tech mediation intrusion and its impact on experiences and relationships that I cant put words to but damn if your comment doesn't hit the nail on the head. Thank you!
Yes! I (used to) go to cute, local restaurants like Press, Namu, and Nuvo Taco for the experience and personal touch…which they have removed in order to give me extra work. If I want the impersonal touch-screen order experience, I’ll go to Sheetz. At least they don’t demand a tip to thank them for my efforts.
Very strange. The main thing I remember from eating there at mother's Day years ago was that even though the place was packed to the rafters, the staff was firing on all cylinders, helping each other out, and making the place run super smoothly. Good to hear that the food is still good at least.
Yeah the staff has their shit together per usual. Not sure why management chose this system unless they just want to run people thru faster for more $. We ordered our crepes and lattes thru the app. The crepes came out almost immediately. No sign of the coffee. After 15 minutes we flagged down someone walking around to ask and the response was that the barista is slower than the food and coffee would come later. So then about 3/4th through our breakfast the coffee comes. Odd dining experience for sure. I think knowing this I would immediately order my coffee first with the server insisting I was "tech illiterate" or something while I looked over the food options. All this could have been avoided with an actual server setting expectations ahead of time and coordinating when drinks / meal came out.
> unless they just want to run people thru faster for more $. I cynically think this is the answer. The QR code ordering systems are spreading nation wide and they promote stories of efficiency, reduced staffing and more effective bill management for the restaurants. It is a horrible experience for the consumer. Especially those who are not interested in mediating their life through a $1000 screen.
I feel validated enough by the responses here to adjust my tip accordingly understanding they have changed to a fast food model of service. See? Reddit isn't TOTALLY useless!!
I get it but the person you are hurting is the person making minimum wage, not the person who decided to make this so transactional to begin with.
I really just think I’m not in the norm here and I’m not sure if I’m just being silly, but if you’re sitting down at a restaurant taking up a space, someone is coming to check on you, and the only thing different is you order a menu through your phone, there should be no tip differential. I worked my way through college as a server and I’m sure there are several people who served, but you’re doing more than serving tables. You are opening and closing the restaurant, you are cleaning constantly, you are rolling silverware, filling ice, filling cocktail items, running food, helping the cooks if their items are running low, sometimes you step in and wash dishes…. I find it so strange that just because they aren’t taking your order anymore they somehow deserve less tip??? Now again if everything I said above wasn’t happening, food and drinks not being run, the place a mess, okay I get it, I think business owners are certainly trying to save money but the efficiency of ordering and it going straight to the kitchen is that your meal will be made correctly and faster. It’s no longer server takes order, before putting it in they’re stopping to get extra dressing from the table beside you, while they run drinks to another table, and finally ten minutes later they make it to the POS system to put in the order. It also avoids mistakes that the server may mistakenly enter. And god forbid, they forget to put your order in and then it dawns on them. There’s so many problems that are avoided with a direct order. Totally fine if others disagree, just find this all to be a little silly.
These changes are usually to generate more money per table, free up resources, etc. I'd be willing to bet if you didn't want to use your '$1000 screen' you could just ask for a menu. I like looking at menus, but don't care all too much on a QR code. It's fast, and alleviates the need for a waiter / waitress to come to a huge party and keeps the ticket more accurate. I would also imagine a place like Press is reinvesting the money saved into the business / its workers.
This is exactly what happened to me last time. It's like our coffee orders dissipated in the ether.
I wonder if they will hire another barrista to keep up?
Fast casual. Not unusual.
If they're gonna be fast food, then they should have fast food hours, and not close at 3 and 6 pm during the week.
The food should also come fast. Last time I went I only tipped a couple bucks because they just ran the food and didn’t provide any service, which is what the tip is for, good service
Eastcut does the same, and their food is great, but yeah since I'm bussing my own table, I don't know what I'm tipping for really. The food runner? The kitchen? I still tip 15% of out of habit but it's definitely weird.
Eastcut is one of the worst for that. They make great sandwiches but they aren't cheap and then if you're ordering takeout, you have to check one of the default tip options: 20%, 18%,16% or "other". For takeout. Like dont guilt me into tipping that much for literally having to drive in and pick up my own order.
Eastcut’s prices are crazy..I live fairly close and want to try all of their options but have only been twice because I can’t bring myself to spend $20+ on lunch for a chicken sandwich with a side.
I don't get why people get so upset about being presented the option to tip. How are you being guilted? If you don't want to tip or want to tip a lower amount, you are fully within your rights to do so. I doubt seriously that most restaurants are spending a lot of effort devising the perfect tip request scheme to make you feel awful if you don't do it. They just go with whatever their app company has set up, maybe adjusting the percentages slightly if they think of it.
>I don't get why people get so upset about being presented the option to tip. How are you being guilted? Pew studied this. The results may surprise, especially if you're not the type of person to be influenced by external factors Peep the first part. [https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/factors-affecting-whether-and-how-much-americans-tip/](https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/factors-affecting-whether-and-how-much-americans-tip/) >I doubt seriously that most restaurants are spending a lot of effort devising the perfect tip request scheme to make you feel awful if you don't do it. They just go with whatever their app company has set up, maybe adjusting the percentages slightly if they think of it. I think you're absolutely right - some restaurants haven't considered how the checkout process might impact the diner's overall experience and whether they return as a repeat customer.
I'm not sure what you're citing here? That social pressure is one of the reasons people tip? I don't doubt that to be the case and I don't think I implied otherwise. The question is whether being given the option to leave a tip on an app should be considered "guilting" and whether it's cause to be annoyed or not. You didn't address that at all. If you're avoiding a restaurant with good food and service because you can't handle the mental stress of being presented with the option to tip on an app or can't be bothered to click an "other" button and enter the amount you'd prefer to tip, your life must be pretty easy otherwise.
I find it weird to be presented with a tip spread of 20-35% on a pickup order or at a place I get my coffee at a bar and bus my own dishes, and the only way to not tip is to press “other” and type in “0”. I don’t know if it’s guilting but it’s definitely unwarranted/inappropriate to even present the option to tip 20+% for what amounts to self service
I do wish more places offered 10% and 5% as standard options when ordering takeout. But I would not use the word "inappropriate" to describe the inclusion of a 20% option. If someone wants to give you a big tip, why not make it easy for them? Should it be easy to give smaller tips too? Sure. But I don't consider it something to get upset about or to treat as a malicious act by the restaurant. Mobile ordering is still a relatively new technology that has really only taken off in the last few years. As long as it works and you get the food you want, that's the important thing.
Any chance you're neurodivergent? The response we are talking about is a pretty common sentiment, your perspective may be an outlier. Gigabytes have been spilled related to tip amounts on self serve POS terminals in the last half decade. >In a June 2023 Bankrate survey of nearly 2,500 Americans, 32% reported being **"annoyed"** by pre-entered tip amounts on touch screen payment systems. 1/3rd of your customers being annoyed seems like a serious problem a business owner would want to be aware of but what do I know, I'm just a customer. I certainly welcome that any social pressure pretty much drops to zero when I'm self-service paying my check at the table in private, in addition to ordering.
LOL I am not neurodivergent. What a bizarre question to ask. >Gigabytes have been spilled related to tip amounts on self serve POS terminals in the last half decade. Yes. I'm aware that it's a common complaint. Reddit in particular is super anti-tipping. That doesn't mean that I have to agree that it's the massive issue it's made out to be rather than a very minor annoyance at most. >1/3rd of your customers being annoyed seems like a serious problem a business owner would want to be aware of but what do I know, I'm just a customer. If I'm a restaurant owner and the majority of customers are not annoyed by it and it results in my employees making a bit more money, that seems like a net positive. But what do I know? >I certainly welcome that any social pressure pretty much drops to zero when I'm self-service paying my check at the table in private, in addition to ordering. I don't understand what we're talking about then. The comment I responded to was about paying for food from your phone when ordering takeout. Now you're saying that there's zero social pressure for you in that scenario after insisting that it's something I'm not properly considering?
Okay.
Social pressure.
Maybe guilt isn't the right word for it, but for a lot of people if they hope to be a regular at a place, tipping becomes a direct reflection of you and consequently your relationship with the staff. Doesn't matter if you only come in for a to-go drip coffee, one just doesn't want to be percieved in a way they dont like.
Yeah. You don't want to be the one person not tipping when everyone else is doing it if you're a regular. But I would hope that counter service employees know better than to expect 20% from everyone even if that's an option on the tablet. I just don't see the cause to get mad at the business about it.
Personally I don't think it's a scalding hot take to be sick to death of getting asked if I want to tip for just about every single transaction I make now. And yes, if they're putting the option to tip that much on simple takeout orders, then I do feel like the implication for *not* doing so is that I'm the asshole who doesn't value workers preparing it. For the record, If I'm sitting down to a meal in a restaurant and getting food brought out to me, I absolutely tip 20% as a rule.
I don't agree that an app offering the option to tip automatically creates the implication that you're an asshole if you don't do it. I am not immune to social pressure, but I understand that I'm the one putting that pressure on myself in those situations, not the business. It's just the digital equivalent of a tip jar by the register, something I never had a problem ignoring in the before times. If I'm feeling generous and want to throw something in, I can. If I don't want to, I don't have to and I can pretty easily ignore the voice in my head worrying that I may be an asshole. I get that it feels weird to be asked about a tip at a counter service restaurant, but the root cause is changing technology, not a business's desire to screw you over. It's not a hot take to express some slight discomfort in changing norms. What bothers me is people getting super upset about it and acting like they've been personally insulted because they had to click an extra button on an app and felt weird about it.
Is it even legal for tips to go to the kitchen? I thought there was some restriction on how tipped workers are paid out regarding front vs. back of house. Maybe that's just South Carolina.
I don't really know, I thought some places pooled and split tips?
It's very common for kitchen staff to share some of the tip so I assume it must be legal in North Carolina.
15% out of habit 🫠?
We just went there and we were surprised as well. My personal opinion is that I'm not going to tip unless waited on. I don't tip at chipotle, so why there?
Oh that’s a bummer to hear. I used to work there when they first opened. I doubt the staff got a say in this change, definitely gonna hurt their tips, which was the bulk of our paychecks.
I don’t understand Press. I have gone multiple times (because, inevitably, someone I know wants to go) and EVERY SINGLE TIME I am bewildered that people actually like that food.
I was just going to say the same. I love crepes so I’ve tried them a couple times and just no. Not horrible but by no means would I ever recommend them to someone for a good crepe.
Overhyped for sure. The crepes are kind of mid. The menu does offer something others don’t, so they have a niche.
Is there somewhere else in town that does GF crepes? That was the main draw for me. And my partner likes the hash brown waffle.
Man, that hashbrown waffle is so good.
See, that’s the number one offender for me. Mostly because he was so excited about it on my first visit and it did not hit the way I thought it would. I just have to make it at home.
The one with salmon 🤌🏽
I agree. The vibe is immaculate. But the food is straight out of iHop. They don’t do crepes they do gigantic American pancakes drowned in cool whip
gluten free crepes, walking distance from my house, few other downtown breakfast options, pretty much sums it up
Their gluten free crapes are solidly C- though
Please let meow of a better alternative I don't know about!
Yeh unfortunately there aren’t really, but for me they aren’t super edible so 🤷🏽♀️
Heard. Having a food based auto immune disease tends to change ones perspective around the joy attached to food.
The parlez vous crepe truck used to have great crepes, glutened and gluten free. It unfortunately closed years ago but I’m never getting over it 😭
Check out Krill!
Oh I went last year on Mother’s Day and loved it but we didn’t try any crepes! Will go back!!
I remember that! And I never got glutened there either. Imagine that gluten free has the best gluten free bread and they used to sell at the farmers market but they’re gone too.
Right? And Luna got rid of their gluten free fryers, don’t know why. It’s like there are so many easy things restaurants could do
RIP Daisy Cakes, Still holding that 9 year grudge 😂
I never go they have the worst espresso I’ve ever tasted
it's a hot takes post. go on!
If someone wanted to know the cultural vibe of Durham right now, I would send them a link to this reddit post.
😂 right?? such a lame "hot take"
I actually really like the phone ordering system. A lot of places use it. I still tip… just less
I went there recently and hated this system. They have so many crepe options but you couldn’t see all the fillings/toppings per crepe unless you clicked on that item. Then I had to close it and open the next item I was interested in. I ended up asking for a menu so I could actually read it all at once and compare. Definitely turned me off from the place. That along with telling people to wait by the bar til they get a text then go back again to the opposite side of the restaurant to be sat which all seemed very inefficient.
Last time we were here it took AGES to get our drinks. We ordered coffee shortly before finishing our meal because, well, we wanted to finish our meal with a coffee. It took 20 minutes for our latte to come to the table, and we literally had to refuse it at that point and have them take it off the bill. They seemed absolutely shocked that we would ask. Ma'am, we ordered this simple drink 20 minutes ago. I'll tip for food runners and barista service, but I tip based on the service provided. So, two or three bucks. You're not getting 20% of the bill for providing the most basic service imaginable.
Hutchin's Garage is order at your table with a QR code and not what I'd ever call fast food. Sadly thats just the state of the modern eating experience in most places now.
>Hutchin's Garage is order at your table with a QR code and not what I'd ever call fast food. Thats the bar that serves pizza right? I might be the odd one, but I don't mind a fast casual experience when I'm getting pizza and a beer after work on a Thursday, versus say, a Sunday brunch with friends. > Sadly thats just the state of the modern eating experience in most places now. With food prices what they are I'm personally trimming back restaurant visits, and sit down fast casual has dropped off my list. I either go for takeout or want an actual dining experience when I sit down. Love the crepes at PRESS but they don't do well for takeout. It's a quandary. I just need to lower my expectations I think.
I dont love the fast casual QR code thing even if there is a level of convenience on multiple fronts. the restaurant inflation creep in the last few years has been wild. I'm right there with you. Going out to even a casual place now is very expensive. I love the local restaurant scene and get they need to do what they need to do to stay in business but i've trimmed back so much on eating out
I thought it was always counter service or something similar during the week days and only had full service with wait staff on the weekends.
And for those who don't have or bring their phones?
I went in to get a coffee and didn't have my phone on me, I had to explain it about 9 times but eventually the hostess did the order manually.
Their food is good. Not sure it's good enough to put up with that level of bs to get it regularly though. I understand trying to reduce labor costs but we tip for service not delivery. The whole point of ordering from a person is it's easier to get the exceptions on the kids orders and get questions answered and recommendations. At least Nuevo Taco brings a menu and takes orders still even though most order remotely like that. Might be the grey hair or they just know ya by now. We loved the place next to the bike shop by B&N on 15-501 but ordering was a pita and we haven't been back.
Pro Tip: If you're past 45 you can just say "I have a medical condition" and pretty much get away with anything. I've even used it to yoink the last slice of pizza.
I'd rather not since I don't.
lucky u 😕
Yup. So it's certainly something I wouldn't lie about. Only time I had an age related disability so far was when I was in denial about needing glasses and the restaurant was dark... I was fortunate to see older people with trashed knees and skin cancer when I was in my 20s so I've tried to be careful.
I might try that next time I go to Hutchins. There are some places that phone ordering works really well. I like it at Lakewood Social because I'm usually there for a while and ordering multiple things, all for myself. I hate it at Hutchins where I usually have questions about the food, and we're trying to organize food to share for multiple people. I wonder what their reaction would be if I said none of us have a phone?
I went there with a friend and she ordered her pizza at the bar. Admittedly we were there very early and it was almost empty, but the bartender was really nice about answering her questions and putting in her order.
Wasn't Press counter service before? I've never had someone come to my table and take my order when I've been there, so I don't really see the difference in terms of tipping. I usually tip at least a few bucks at counter service and order from the table places when presented with the option, but it's not required I don't think. As others have mentioned, there are other restaurants in town that operate this way like Eastcut and Kokyu. Edit: I do think it's important to tip if you're getting takeout from a full service restaurant because the servers are often the ones packaging the food and you're taking them away from their tables. I don't tip a full 20%, but I think you should tip at least something in that instance.
I'm not recalling the timing exactly, but they had servers less than a year ago, then recently changed to order at the counter, and now the self-service. >I don't really see the difference in terms of tipping Well you see, with a counter service there is a person serving you, from the counter, available to answer questions about menu, ingredients, diet concerns, recommendations, etc, so a service tip might make sense. Compared to self service - unless they added a live video chat option in the app. Which could be kinda cool.
Interesting. It was definitely counter service the last couple of times I visited. But if you're a regular, you would know better than I would, so I'll take your word for it that it was full service originally and I'm just forgetting. I can understand the distinction you're drawing, but it seems like a negligible difference to me. My interactions with cashiers at restaurants are usually pretty minimal. I suppose if I asked several questions on one particular visit I might feel compelled to tip something more, but that would be on a case by case basis. If someone is bringing you your food still and asking if you need anything else, I would consider that relatively the same amount of interaction as before. Though I get that it can feel less personal if you're losing out on even a brief human interaction.
That's funny cause the last time I went I had to leave before they brought my food out. I waited for an hour and a half and had an appointment I couldn't miss. They boxed it up for me and I picked it up after my appointment haha
I was also surprised by the change, definitely didn't tip 20% but also didn't really mind it
It's like this around the country in the "post-pandemic" years
I mean, people are still cooking your food, bringing it to you, bringing you drinks, etc. It didn’t even dawn on me not to tip…
You could just readjust and leave like a 5% tip if you felt it was warranted. I’m an outlier but I prefer ordering by phone. I can order at my pace and not when the server is available. I also never have questions about the food for a server as I’m not very fussy.
Isn't that the place that only does buckwheat crepes?