Seemingly trivial things that annoy you
Comments
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SecretSam wrote:People who hold their phones at right angles to their ear when taking a call, so it's horizontal with the ground.
I mean... WHY?
Probably saw some numbty on The Apprentice doing it so thought it was "cool".0 -
I suppose you could then have the motorway services geared up to each side of the border - vegan cafes and artisan coffee shops on the inside loop, Wetherspoons and Maccy D's on the outside.Pinno wrote:How about a border on the central reservation?
Londoners go anti-clockwise only and the 'aliens' go clockwise."I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]0 -
bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.0 -
Rolf F wrote:Pinno wrote:How about a border on the central reservation?
Londoners go anti-clockwise only and the 'aliens' go clockwise.
A big wall in the central reservation? And then a large hosepipe?
The wall is a good idea. After all, in true MF style, we will need somewhere to chuck our rubbish.0 -
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]0 -
Ballysmate wrote:Rolf F wrote:Pinno wrote:How about a border on the central reservation?
Londoners go anti-clockwise only and the 'aliens' go clockwise.
A big wall in the central reservation? And then a large hosepipe?
The wall is a good idea. After all, in true MF style, we will need somewhere to chuck our rubbish.
So matches rather than the hosepipe? Or a combination of the two?Faster than a tent.......0 -
Rolf F wrote:Pinno wrote:How about a border on the central reservation?
Londoners go anti-clockwise only and the 'aliens' go clockwise.
A big wall in the central reservation? And then a large hosepipe?
Thanks, we're a bit short of water. Given the M25 is mostly at the bottom of a cutting that will just give us a moat.1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
The ride home tonight was to a tight deadline. After dismissing the last class, I basically had an hour and ten minutes to get home.
It normally takes 10 minutes to sort out the classroom, 15 to get to the changing room, change and get on the bike, and an average of 1:06 (summer) to ride home.
So I legged it out with the class as soon as the bell went, trampling small first years along the way, rushed to the changing room, focusing intently on the quick change, and with the clock on a lightning 5 minutes I was already striding up the main corridor past the heidie's office.
Which was exactly where I realised that my shorts were on back to front.0 -
bompington wrote:The ride home tonight was to a tight deadline. After dismissing the last class, I basically had an hour and ten minutes to get home.
It normally takes 10 minutes to sort out the classroom, 15 to get to the changing room, change and get on the bike, and an average of 1:06 (summer) to ride home.
So I legged it out with the class as soon as the bell went, trampling small first years along the way, rushed to the changing room, focusing intently on the quick change, and with the clock on a lightning 5 minutes I was already striding up the main corridor past the heidie's office.
Which was exactly where I realised that my shorts were on back to front.
Cheered me up. Wrong thread then innit.0 -
bompington wrote:The ride home tonight was to a tight deadline. After dismissing the last class, I basically had an hour and ten minutes to get home.
It normally takes 10 minutes to sort out the classroom, 15 to get to the changing room, change and get on the bike, and an average of 1:06 (summer) to ride home.
So I legged it out with the class as soon as the bell went, trampling small first years along the way, rushed to the changing room, focusing intently on the quick change, and with the clock on a lightning 5 minutes I was already striding up the main corridor past the heidie's office.
Which was exactly where I realised that my shorts were on back to front.
More haste more chaffed!0 -
I can work out 20% fine thanks. It's the rest if the system which is the issue.Stevo 666 wrote:
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
It's just dishonest to list prices on a menu when there is a near mandatory 15-20% markup. It also doesn't add anything because you have to tip whether the service was good or not.
I also almost never carry cash any more so it is annoying having to make sure you have a few random dollars around to leave in hotel rooms and so on.
Then if you're British there's often the bit of indecision which comes when you don't know if you are supposed to tip or not (outside restaurants where it's obvious), and then how much to tip in those cases where there is no figure to take a % of.
That's not including the numerous studies which show that the practice is sexist and discriminatory.
They should just pay staff a proper wage and leave tips for genuinely good service.0 -
bobmcstuff wrote:
I can work out 20% fine thanks. It's the rest if the system which is the issue.Stevo 666 wrote:
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
It's just dishonest to list prices on a menu when there is a near mandatory 15-20% markup. It also doesn't add anything because you have to tip whether the service was good or not.
I also almost never carry cash any more so it is annoying having to make sure you have a few random dollars around to leave in hotel rooms and so on.
Then if you're British there's often the bit of indecision which comes when you don't know if you are supposed to tip or not (outside restaurants where it's obvious), and then how much to tip in those cases where there is no figure to take a % of.
That's not including the numerous studies which show that the practice is sexist and discriminatory.
They should just pay staff a proper wage and leave tips for genuinely good service.
When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it0 -
It's still proven to be sexist, racist and degrading.
It's more confusing for a non native with hotels, valets and porters to be honest though, cos there is no list price to add 20% to.
This is the seemingly trivial things thread though right.0 -
I've only eaten out once in the US (stopover on a flight), the service was appalling, the bill was for the 'list' price but the waiter just added on 20% when he put it on the card machine.Rick Chasey wrote:When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it
We told him to take it off and just left a couple of dollars cash for him.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:
I can work out 20% fine thanks. It's the rest if the system which is the issue.Stevo 666 wrote:
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
It's just dishonest to list prices on a menu when there is a near mandatory 15-20% markup. It also doesn't add anything because you have to tip whether the service was good or not.
I also almost never carry cash any more so it is annoying having to make sure you have a few random dollars around to leave in hotel rooms and so on.
Then if you're British there's often the bit of indecision which comes when you don't know if you are supposed to tip or not (outside restaurants where it's obvious), and then how much to tip in those cases where there is no figure to take a % of.
That's not including the numerous studies which show that the practice is sexist and discriminatory.
They should just pay staff a proper wage and leave tips for genuinely good service.
When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it
I've never left a tip automatically, but I have on rare occasions where I've appreciated the service enough to merit it and it was genuine thank you but only if I could give it directly to the waiter or whoever I am thanking. It's not automatic so don't expect it from me. If I found it on my bill without my consent there'd be a formal complaint and I'd ask for it back there and then.0 -
Cowsham wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:
I can work out 20% fine thanks. It's the rest if the system which is the issue.Stevo 666 wrote:
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
It's just dishonest to list prices on a menu when there is a near mandatory 15-20% markup. It also doesn't add anything because you have to tip whether the service was good or not.
I also almost never carry cash any more so it is annoying having to make sure you have a few random dollars around to leave in hotel rooms and so on.
Then if you're British there's often the bit of indecision which comes when you don't know if you are supposed to tip or not (outside restaurants where it's obvious), and then how much to tip in those cases where there is no figure to take a % of.
That's not including the numerous studies which show that the practice is sexist and discriminatory.
They should just pay staff a proper wage and leave tips for genuinely good service.
When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it
I've never left a tip automatically, but I have on rare occasions where I've appreciated the service enough to merit it and it was genuine thank you but only if I could give it directly to the waiter or whoever I am thanking. It's not automatic so don't expect it from me. If I found it on my bill without my consent there'd be a formal complaint and I'd ask for it back there and then.
In the states?
Come on mate, these people need to eat themselves.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:Cowsham wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:
I can work out 20% fine thanks. It's the rest if the system which is the issue.Stevo 666 wrote:
And people who can't figure out that it won't change the overall priceBallysmate wrote:bobmcstuff wrote:US tip culture. Just ******* raise the prices and stop lying about it, pricks.
People who find difficulty in working out percentages.
It's just dishonest to list prices on a menu when there is a near mandatory 15-20% markup. It also doesn't add anything because you have to tip whether the service was good or not.
I also almost never carry cash any more so it is annoying having to make sure you have a few random dollars around to leave in hotel rooms and so on.
Then if you're British there's often the bit of indecision which comes when you don't know if you are supposed to tip or not (outside restaurants where it's obvious), and then how much to tip in those cases where there is no figure to take a % of.
That's not including the numerous studies which show that the practice is sexist and discriminatory.
They should just pay staff a proper wage and leave tips for genuinely good service.
When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it
I've never left a tip automatically, but I have on rare occasions where I've appreciated the service enough to merit it and it was genuine thank you but only if I could give it directly to the waiter or whoever I am thanking. It's not automatic so don't expect it from me. If I found it on my bill without my consent there'd be a formal complaint and I'd ask for it back there and then.
In the states?
Come on mate, these people need to eat themselves.
I found this to be an extremely confusing statement.0 -
thistle (MBNW) wrote:
I've only eaten out once in the US (stopover on a flight), the service was appalling, the bill was for the 'list' price but the waiter just added on 20% when he put it on the card machine.Rick Chasey wrote:When I lived there I ended up taking menu prices as the food/takeout price.
Almost all normal restaurants there will do take out and they don’t give you a different menu.
So the tip is the price for sitting in there.
You get used to it
We told him to take it off and just left a couple of dollars cash for him.
I've had people add a 'service charge' automatically to my bill in the UK, on one occasion the owner got really snotty when we told him to take it off. We were all completely smashed at the time so potentially less diplomatic than normal...0 -
The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet. 0 -
SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever.
They aren't paid properly, they rely on tips. It's not right, but that's why they expect a tip. In my experience, albeit limited, bad service in the US is reserved for people who are @rseholes.
It feels a bit odd to be chucking cash about all the time, but it's not complicated. One or 2 dollars per drink in a bar, a couple for the valet parking person each time they park or bring round your car, bags multiplied by one or two dollars depending on size for the bellhop, 20% rounded up to the nearest dollar in a restaurant, a 10 or a 20 per person for good service on tourist trips - boats, sightseeing etc.0 -
SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet.
How about thinking of it when in the states as not a tip ,but as "paying for the service you otherwise wouldn't have got as you got takeout"
Does that help frame it?
I'm not pro-tipping culture at all, but it's really not difficult to get your head around. Americans do and we all seem to think they're thick as sh!t.
(current evidence suggest the difference is negligible at best however)0 -
The thing that annoys me more in the States is prices being shown without the tax. It's caught me out a few times when getting to the till. I'm never sure what to offer in a hotel when the bellhop shows you around your room so I generally just take my own bags up to avoid the awkwardness.0
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Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet.
How about thinking of it when in the states as not a tip ,but as "paying for the service you otherwise wouldn't have got as you got takeout"
Does that help frame it?
I'm not pro-tipping culture at all, but it's really not difficult to get your head around. Americans do and we all seem to think they're thick as sh!t.
(current evidence suggest the difference is negligible at best however)
Yes but if said service is shite then expecting a tip anyway doesn't sit right.0 -
SurferCyclist wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet.
How about thinking of it when in the states as not a tip ,but as "paying for the service you otherwise wouldn't have got as you got takeout"
Does that help frame it?
I'm not pro-tipping culture at all, but it's really not difficult to get your head around. Americans do and we all seem to think they're thick as sh!t.
(current evidence suggest the difference is negligible at best however)
Yes but if said service is shite then expecting a tip anyway doesn't sit right.
So you just want free service?0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet.
How about thinking of it when in the states as not a tip ,but as "paying for the service you otherwise wouldn't have got as you got takeout"
Does that help frame it?
I'm not pro-tipping culture at all, but it's really not difficult to get your head around. Americans do and we all seem to think they're thick as sh!t.
(current evidence suggest the difference is negligible at best however)
Yes but if said service is shite then expecting a tip anyway doesn't sit right.
So you just want free service?
If the employee offering the service is paid a salary then the service isn't free.
The service charge just seems like a recipe for restaurants to generate bad feeling. You think the meal is costing £20 but at the end of the meal you get charged £25. You go home irritated. If the menu had just priced the meal at £25 in the first place you'd have gone home happily. It's just stupid.Faster than a tent.......0 -
hopkinb wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever.
They aren't paid properly, they rely on tips. It's not right, but that's why they expect a tip. In my experience, albeit limited, bad service in the US is reserved for people who are @rseholes.
It feels a bit odd to be chucking cash about all the time, but it's not complicated. One or 2 dollars per drink in a bar, a couple for the valet parking person each time they park or bring round your car, bags multiplied by one or two dollars depending on size for the bellhop, 20% rounded up to the nearest dollar in a restaurant, a 10 or a 20 per person for good service on tourist trips - boats, sightseeing etc.
Don't mind tipping, but I find it hard to understand why it should be a percentage of what I spend. How is opening two bottles of expensive wine worthy of of a greater tip as two bottles of cheaper wine?
And how is $10 not a good tip for service because my bill is $100, when the table nextdoor has ordered the same number of dishes and drinks, albeit at a cheaper price?0 -
Rolf F wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:SurferCyclist wrote:The expectation of a tip/service charge regardless of quality of service is what grates on most people. In the US everyone expects a tip whatever. One classic case was in an airport bar and the service was dire so when we left the tip was minimal, basically the change left from whatever the bill was. Waitress made a sarky remark and so politely got told the reason.
Here in UK I usually do tip unless service poor. Always after haircut as it always pays to keep the guy with a cutthroat in his hand sweet.
How about thinking of it when in the states as not a tip ,but as "paying for the service you otherwise wouldn't have got as you got takeout"
Does that help frame it?
I'm not pro-tipping culture at all, but it's really not difficult to get your head around. Americans do and we all seem to think they're thick as sh!t.
(current evidence suggest the difference is negligible at best however)
Yes but if said service is shite then expecting a tip anyway doesn't sit right.
So you just want free service?
If the employee offering the service is paid a salary then the service isn't free.
The service charge just seems like a recipe for restaurants to generate bad feeling. You think the meal is costing £20 but at the end of the meal you get charged £25. You go home irritated. If the menu had just priced the meal at £25 in the first place you'd have gone home happily. It's just stupid.
Sure, if.
But they’re not are they?
Anyway, my point was when it’s universal it’s easier to understand.
Fwiw I once left a table service bar with no tip because it was genuinely appalling in NYC and the owner literally followed me down the road to ask why I hadn’t paid for service.
We had a bit of a shouting match and left it at that but I was barred from going back.0 -
I think that's the issue. In the UK we regard tips as discretionary, and a reward for good service, and if the service is sh1t we feel justified in leaving no tip at all. Well I do anyway.
In the US it's no longer that. It's just another part of the bill. If you don't pay it you're regarded in the same way as somebody doing a runner and not paying the bill at all. The whole economy of their hospitality industry is based on that extra 20%. Without it they can't pay their bills, so that's why they chase you down the street.
So if it annoys you, try not to think of it as a tip.
Isn't part of the whole travelling to other countries thing to do with getting to grips with different customs etc? It'd be a tedious world if everywhere was the same as the UK...0 -
Let's not encourage tipping over here, we've enough bother with "Cow Tipping" where I come from.0
