US food “rules” #usa #american #americanculture #cultureshock #foodculture #livinginusa #french

[Asstolfo]

"We would protest" is so real. It seems unreasonable until the gov thinks they can make people work longer without a vote.

[governmentname]

As an American, tips are stupid, they should just pay their workers a livable wage. Also, tax should be included on ever price

[doctorf]

It’s illegal in Australia to advertise without tax included. It’s also illegal to pay waiters a wage that relies on tips. Tips are for exceptional service and for showing off to your date only.

[edeciotheghost]

When the french say "we will protest" you had better take heed because their protests are LEGENDARY

[hellhound_haunt]

this is EXACTLY what I've been saying!! If you're going to charge more for something, put the full price INCLUDING tax. Not add tax WHILE someone pays!

[mzic]

The restaurant situation in the US is actually a big factor in me not going because I find restaurants stressful anyway, adding on awkward maths and social challenges at the end just because I ate there is a nightmare

[ZoosheeStudio]

Tipping isnt complicated, people just refuse to hold restaurant owners accountable for paying proper wages.

[Ricklyplinth]

Just pay your workers a livable wage ffs!

[eljaminlatour]

"we will protest", looks like someone's following her ancestor's footprints.

[CrankyOtter]

Every time I travel outside the US people warn me that food is so expensive other places. Hasn’t yet been true except in Scandanavia. Occasionally the *menu price* is higher, but not 30% higher, Americans really seem to think that tax & tip aren’t real expenses somehow.

(Of course there are expensive places to eat, but for equivalent experiences, food in Osaka & Wellington & Athens & Firenze were all more affordable than Boston or SoCal or Seattle)

Scandinavian food is expensive but they have a social safety net so people can afford to eat, unlike the US.

[Fritz-The-Cat]

As a Non-American I say put all the additional fees to the total price from the get go and avoid unnecessary discussions about who is correct in calculating the total cost.
Then again I’m just a German who doesn’t like to make things more difficult for myself than they are already.

[SamanthasCodingStudio]

I can relate. It took me years to adjust to the tax not being included and the tipping practices in the US. When my mother visited, I even had to warn her at the dollar store about the difference in the final price when she got to the cash register.🤪

[Eric-xhee]

In Minnesota, I've seen "13% service charge added to support our workers ". If they want to pay them more then just do that and add it to the price. You also often see 4% for using a credit card and sometimes 18% gratuity automatically added so you need to watch your bill before you tip

[Gma_Alma-Marie]

It’s not complicated. It’s called the ripping off their employees by not paying them a livable wage, and forcing the customer to then feel responsible and obligated to try and make up the difference in their servers pay. It’s not right and it’s unconscionable and it needs to change. People have a right to earn a fair wage and a tip is meant to express appreciation for one’s service and abilities, especially when they go above and beyond what would be expected of them. So they steal from their customers and tend to push away repeat business. And it’s only getting worse.

[denise]

Expat American living in New Zealand. The bit about all the add-ons to the price that’s listed hits Home. I love here in New Zealand that if it says $15 that’s what you pay $15 you’re not expected to pay extra for the GST as that’s included, and they pay the staff enough that you don’t need to tip!

[dmk_games]

"It’s complicated" translation "We are a consumerist society that doesn’t care about customers or employees"

[Anonymous_Dumb]

As an American, table time limits would make *me* fight somebody. Id personally just avoid that restaurant. Atleast its not happening near me

[coffeebreak]

Actually, the 2h limit exists in Europe now too, and I'm France - Strasbourg of all places. I was surprised but whenever we call to book a table they ask us if we want the 7-9 PM slot or the 9-11 PM one. It feels weird 🤣❤️

[gallavanting]

"it's complicated" is a fancy way of avoiding hard truths. Like in this case, it's avoiding the actual answer of "It's because we're okay with a culture based on deceptive marketing, lies, and exploitation"

[Olivetree]

I hate table time limits, I like to eat slow and enjoy the experience. I really liked the vibe of eating out in Paris, it felt more present and less stressful.