Comments on: Just Thinking http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:38:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-19010 Don Ray Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:24:07 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-19010 Thanks Kathy. I am having a very relaxing time. Thanks Kathy. I am having a very relaxing time.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-19003 Kathy Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:31:39 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-19003 Don Ray, it is always enjoyable talking with you. Have a great, relaxing trip to PC. Kathy Don Ray, it is always enjoyable talking with you. Have a great, relaxing trip to PC.
Kathy

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18977 Don Ray Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:30:45 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18977 I am not sure there is a disagreement. I said if the food is very good and or the service justifies it, I also leave more than the normal 10%. However, if a gringo is accustomed to leaving 15% or 20% as a norm in the US, doing the same here is not necessarily a good thing. It is better to find out and understand what the locals do and why. Also if the tip is included in the bill you have no assurance that it will ever find its way into the pockets of those that waited on you. I am not sure there is a disagreement. I said if the food is very good and or the service justifies it, I also leave more than the normal 10%. However, if a gringo is accustomed to leaving 15% or 20% as a norm in the US, doing the same here is not necessarily a good thing. It is better to find out and understand what the locals do and why.

Also if the tip is included in the bill you have no assurance that it will ever find its way into the pockets of those that waited on you.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18976 Kathy Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:13:46 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18976 Hi Don Ray I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you. I don't believe if I tip a little bit more it will change the scheme of things in Panama. But I have the ability to put a couple of extra dollars in the pocket of someone who is working very hard to make ends meet. And that for me has to be the bottom line. Hi Don Ray
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you.
I don’t believe if I tip a little bit more it will change the scheme of things in Panama. But I have the ability to put a couple of extra dollars in the pocket of someone who is working very hard to make ends meet. And that for me has to be the bottom line.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18946 Don Ray Sat, 14 Apr 2007 15:18:18 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18946 Hi Kathy. Actually the complaint was for 15%. 10% is normal for Panama and I think it is appropriate to leave what a Panamanian would leave. Leaving more is sometimes frowned upon because it is above standard. I try to do as the Panamanians would do. However if the food is very good and the service is above the standard, then I will also tip above standard. I also have no problem if the menu clearly states the policy. Normally this would be done for tables of 6 or more. Hi Kathy. Actually the complaint was for 15%. 10% is normal for Panama and I think it is appropriate to leave what a Panamanian would leave. Leaving more is sometimes frowned upon because it is above standard. I try to do as the Panamanians would do. However if the food is very good and the service is above the standard, then I will also tip above standard.

I also have no problem if the menu clearly states the policy. Normally this would be done for tables of 6 or more.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18943 Kathy Sat, 14 Apr 2007 14:55:44 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18943 I don't understand what all the outrage is about over 10% being automatically added for a tip in a restaurant. When we lived in Costa Rica all restaurants added 10% automatically. As we always leave at least 15% we make up the difference out of pocket. I have heard all the arguments about overtipping and quite frankly, I find them lame. A waiter or waitress in Panama works just as hard as one in the US or Canada, where the tipping is now at 20%. Maybe the restaurant adds 10% to make sure the waiter or waitress actually gets a tip. I have seen how some gringos tip and quite frankly it's embarrassing. I don’t understand what all the outrage is about over 10% being automatically added for a tip in a restaurant. When we lived in Costa Rica all restaurants added 10% automatically. As we always leave at least 15% we make up the difference out of pocket. I have heard all the arguments about overtipping and quite frankly, I find them lame. A waiter or waitress in Panama works just as hard as one in the US or Canada, where the tipping is now at 20%. Maybe the restaurant adds 10% to make sure the waiter or waitress actually gets a tip. I have seen how some gringos tip and quite frankly it’s embarrassing.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18909 Don Ray Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:43:31 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18909 Hi Vicki - I never take offense. I tried to see what I wrote to give you that impression. It is too easy for written words to be misunderstood, so I try to think anything that is written is not personal and not necessarily directed to me. I am probably one of the worst offenders of not writing clearly. I agree with all you wrote. I would add that there is nothing worth than a gringo restaurant owner in a foreign land getting into an argument with a customer as well. It always take two to have a dispute. Someone has to decide to be civil. Nancy - Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope Mike takes a break and gives it more thought. I can understand having problems in a business startup. I personally support giving him time to know what the proper prices should be. However, if he is taking a hard line and saying "I won't comply with the law", then he might as well pack it in. That attitude won't get any support from me. I am reasonably easy to forgive, but the one thing I can't abide is people who go to another country to run a business and don't want to comply with the laws. I have no tolerance for guests of Panama not complying with the law or being offensive to its citizens. Hi Vicki - I never take offense. I tried to see what I wrote to give you that impression. It is too easy for written words to be misunderstood, so I try to think anything that is written is not personal and not necessarily directed to me. I am probably one of the worst offenders of not writing clearly. I agree with all you wrote. I would add that there is nothing worth than a gringo restaurant owner in a foreign land getting into an argument with a customer as well. It always take two to have a dispute. Someone has to decide to be civil.

Nancy - Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope Mike takes a break and gives it more thought. I can understand having problems in a business startup. I personally support giving him time to know what the proper prices should be. However, if he is taking a hard line and saying “I won’t comply with the law”, then he might as well pack it in. That attitude won’t get any support from me. I am reasonably easy to forgive, but the one thing I can’t abide is people who go to another country to run a business and don’t want to comply with the laws.

I have no tolerance for guests of Panama not complying with the law or being offensive to its citizens.

]]> By: Nancy Young http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18907 Nancy Young Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:58:00 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18907 Don great points made. I do think that if a tipis added for a large party it should be stated on the menu. Speaking from the other side of the table since I helped managed a restuarant for my friend in the states, there is nothing more frustrating to a hard working waitress who works her tail off serving a large party and be left an inadequate tip! I often seems that those who are most demanding are the misers. We often served a large number of seniors and being one I appreciate that they were on a tight budget. I didn't mind if they were nice and expressed thanks, but oh those sour pusses who ran you ragged and then didn't leave a tip! You just hoped they would never come back. I agree that Mike should have realized he needed to raise is prices to include the discount, but I also know that he has had a lot of things go wrong and incurred a lot of unexpected expenses and met with much frustration. I think this incident just kind of pushed him over the edge. Most of us hope he will reconsider and just alter menu pricing to cover the discount. His prices were extremely reasonable execially when one consideres the quality of the food. Don great points made. I do think that if a tipis added for a large party it should be stated on the menu. Speaking from the other side of the table since I helped managed a restuarant for my friend in the states, there is nothing more frustrating to a hard working waitress who works her tail off serving a large party and be left an inadequate tip! I often seems that those who are most demanding are the misers. We often served a large number of seniors and being one I appreciate that they were on a tight budget. I didn’t mind if they were nice and expressed thanks, but oh those sour pusses who ran you ragged and then didn’t leave a tip! You just hoped they would never come back.

I agree that Mike should have realized he needed to raise is prices to include the discount, but I also know that he has had a lot of things go wrong and incurred a lot of unexpected expenses and met with much frustration. I think this incident just kind of pushed him over the edge. Most of us hope he will reconsider and just alter menu pricing to cover the discount. His prices were extremely reasonable execially when one consideres the quality of the food.

]]> By: Vicki http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18897 Vicki Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:08:57 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18897 Dear Don, I meant no offense, and don't pass judgment on anyone for using their Jubilado discount. And I certainly don't condone someone blatantly disregarding the laws. I guess I could have been clearer in my points. One: I don't think the law was created for the purpose of luring ex-pats, although it certainly should apply one and all. And the other point I failed to make is that there is nothing more hideous and shameful than seeing a haughty gringo making a scene somewhere because they didn't get their $1, or $3 off a purchase, even if they are being swindled. You take your receipt, get the info and file a complaint. I'm sorry if you took offense, I certainly didn't mean any. And again, I truly enjoy the site, and check in often for good info and news. Vicki Dear Don,

I meant no offense, and don’t pass judgment on anyone for using their Jubilado discount. And I certainly don’t condone someone blatantly disregarding the laws. I guess I could have been clearer in my points. One: I don’t think the law was created for the purpose of luring ex-pats, although it certainly should apply one and all. And the other point I failed to make is that there is nothing more hideous and shameful than seeing a haughty gringo making a scene somewhere because they didn’t get their $1, or $3 off a purchase, even if they are being swindled. You take your receipt, get the info and file a complaint.

I’m sorry if you took offense, I certainly didn’t mean any. And again, I truly enjoy the site, and check in often for good info and news.

Vicki

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18893 Don Ray Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:11:04 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/04/12/just-thinking/#comment-18893 Hi Ari. Thanks for stopping in. I won't make it to the Orchid festival. I am going to your home city for a week. I will leave tomorrow and if all goes well, will return in about a week. Hi Ari. Thanks for stopping in. I won’t make it to the Orchid festival. I am going to your home city for a week. I will leave tomorrow and if all goes well, will return in about a week.

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