Ask Amy: The trouble with Mother’s (and Father’s) Day
Dear Amy: As retirees who eat out regularly, my wife and I always leave a cash tip between 20 percent and 25 percent for good service.
However, if we order something that we simply can’t eat or truly don’t enjoy (e.g., tough meat, too spicy, over-salted, etc.), we send it back and ask for something else.
Even though the returned meal is taken off the bill, we always make it a point to include the price of it as part of the overall gratuity.
To my amazement, several family members are appalled that we would ever return a meal, and feel that we should stay quiet and simply pay for whatever we order, even if it is nearly inedible or tastes terrible.
Overall, they argue that it’s unfair to the restaurant and kitchen staff if something is returned and taken off the bill.
In any event, as this has become a subject of disagreement among several of us, I’d be interested for your input on this matter.
– Resisting at Restaurants
Dear Resisting: This is a matter of degree. If the food was improperly prepared or contains ingredients you can’t safely eat, then you should send it back. It sounds as if this is what you do. Restaurants want their patrons to enjoy their food. It’s good for business.
But if you order chicken parmesan and upon receiving it decide, “Hmm, I just remembered. I don’t really like chicken parm. I’m in the mood for a steak,” then you don’t have a drumstick to stand on.
Dear Amy: I am seeing people continue to use the outdated term “giving up” a child for adoption.
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