Interesting debate found there in the comment section of Vince's blog.
I see his argument and I see his point. But I also know that in some restaurants though they have rules in place, such as the price line drawn between "Adult" and "Child" ages, management also encourages their employees to do little things like that that to encourage a repeat visit from the family. Maybe the server didn't feel she was doing a good job as a server, and wanted to preserve them as customers? You can call that disintegrity if you like, but I call it a nice gesture and I don't find any fault in it.
The food industry is HARD! Folks are too demanding. They want it hot, fast, and right NOW. Every move of the server is scrutinized and each flaw can be a determining factor on the tip given at the end of the meal. In this respect, servers are trying to do all that they can to please their customers and make sure they had an enjoyable experience. If that means giving them the extra honey mustard dressing instead of charging them $0.10, then so be it. Things like this can be determining factors of whether or not a person returns to a restaurant. In light of that, management I'm sure would gladly trade a honey mustard for a repeat visit.
Give them the pickle. Ok, so in the example in question it's a little different. The Antonucci's weren't asking for the kids price, but they got it anyway (their "pickle"). Say thank you! We don't know the server's true motivation for doing what she did. But perhaps she had good reason. A reason in which, if it helped retain a customer, most managers/restaurants would be totally fine with. On the other hand, if just out of spite (for whatever reason) the server was undercharging everyone to undercut the company of their profit, then yes, she's in the wrong.
I like the idea of fluidity in [some] restaurant policies (when it comes to health regulations, there shouldn't be gray area). Lots of things can happen in restaurants where the black and white of rigid rules is just unappealing.
For the record, I continue to stand by my comment for the most part, but as I was writing it, I'd only read maybe half of the comments on Vince's blog. Some of his point of view made a little more sense after reading more of it. But I think this could open up good discussion :)
Jonathan, we need to get more traffic to your blog.
Okay, knowing Vince's story and that he is looking to plant a church in Vegas, Sin City, you have to look at the point that he and his family are purposely trying to be different from the other people around them. They are trying to change the culture around them in a very, very tough city. I think he and his family are going to have to be completely and totally honest in all circumstances because they are a lone light in a dark city. This is the first step to long road for Verve. If they had just let the bill go as it was, do you think that waitress would have given them a second thought... but now, perhaps when she hears his name or someone mentions Verve, she will remember this incident. Creating culture, right? On a side note, maybe the waitress was just being nice or like Vince said just didn't realize the kid was 10yrs old. Does that give Christians the right to cheat the system even if they have help at it? You also have to think of the example he is trying to set for his children to be honest in all situations. Children have a long memory and one incident of dishonesty, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can take a long time to overcome.
Melanie, I'm totally hearing you and what you're saying. And I agree with you. However, I'm not sure that what happened is christians "cheating the system". The system in this case is completely founded by the institution itself, not bound by law with punishable consequences. All I'm saying is that it doesn't seem that its "cheating the system" when servers are often given the choice to use their best judgment and discretion without negative repercussions.
But seriously, I'm not trying to argue with any of your points about them needing to be set apart in a dark city, so please don't misread this in that way. You make a very valid point on how their reaction to the situation could really stick with that girls mind and when later posed with a similar situation, spark a change in her. Totally with you there. I'm just not sure this man should be frowned upon had he did just say "thank you" and accept the lower bill. That's all I'm sayin'.
By the way, I'd like to disclose that I'm not in any way defending my own opinion or my personal thoughts on what I would do when purposed in this situation. I'm merely examining it and possibly giving a different point of view for the sake of discussion.
Bryan, you are too funny.... I read "cheating the system" several times before I saved it and I knew it didn't sound exactly like what I wanted to express, but couldn't think how else to express it! I do understand your stance as well.
Two days ago I was in a theme park, and ordered a costly counter-service lunch for 5. I asked for two drinks in refillable souvenir cups. They were $7.50 each. I was charged the refill price of $.99. I told the worker I was undercharged. The worker looked a little flustered, but his colleague said, "no worries, it's on us." I graciously accepted this "gift," realizing they probably were uncertain how to void the purchase and re-charge my bill. Perhaps there would be negative consequences.
Am I lacking in integrity because I didn't demand they call the manager and void and re-charge my purchase?
The blog post left a bad taste in my mouth because of the author's assertion that his morality was so remarkable that it literally astounded the server.
Perhaps "humility" could be the subject of his next blog post, LOL.
7 comments:
The story was inspiring. I don't quite understand the negative response he got for it though...
Hmm...
Interesting debate found there in the comment section of Vince's blog.
I see his argument and I see his point. But I also know that in some restaurants though they have rules in place, such as the price line drawn between "Adult" and "Child" ages, management also encourages their employees to do little things like that that to encourage a repeat visit from the family. Maybe the server didn't feel she was doing a good job as a server, and wanted to preserve them as customers? You can call that disintegrity if you like, but I call it a nice gesture and I don't find any fault in it.
The food industry is HARD! Folks are too demanding. They want it hot, fast, and right NOW. Every move of the server is scrutinized and each flaw can be a determining factor on the tip given at the end of the meal. In this respect, servers are trying to do all that they can to please their customers and make sure they had an enjoyable experience. If that means giving them the extra honey mustard dressing instead of charging them $0.10, then so be it. Things like this can be determining factors of whether or not a person returns to a restaurant. In light of that, management I'm sure would gladly trade a honey mustard for a repeat visit.
http://www.giveemthepickle.com/pickle_principle.htm
Give them the pickle. Ok, so in the example in question it's a little different. The Antonucci's weren't asking for the kids price, but they got it anyway (their "pickle"). Say thank you! We don't know the server's true motivation for doing what she did. But perhaps she had good reason. A reason in which, if it helped retain a customer, most managers/restaurants would be totally fine with. On the other hand, if just out of spite (for whatever reason) the server was undercharging everyone to undercut the company of their profit, then yes, she's in the wrong.
I like the idea of fluidity in [some] restaurant policies (when it comes to health regulations, there shouldn't be gray area). Lots of things can happen in restaurants where the black and white of rigid rules is just unappealing.
For the record, I continue to stand by my comment for the most part, but as I was writing it, I'd only read maybe half of the comments on Vince's blog. Some of his point of view made a little more sense after reading more of it. But I think this could open up good discussion :)
Jonathan, we need to get more traffic to your blog.
Okay, knowing Vince's story and that he is looking to plant a church in Vegas, Sin City, you have to look at the point that he and his family are purposely trying to be different from the other people around them. They are trying to change the culture around them in a very, very tough city. I think he and his family are going to have to be completely and totally honest in all circumstances because they are a lone light in a dark city. This is the first step to long road for Verve. If they had just let the bill go as it was, do you think that waitress would have given them a second thought... but now, perhaps when she hears his name or someone mentions Verve, she will remember this incident. Creating culture, right?
On a side note, maybe the waitress was just being nice or like Vince said just didn't realize the kid was 10yrs old. Does that give Christians the right to cheat the system even if they have help at it? You also have to think of the example he is trying to set for his children to be honest in all situations. Children have a long memory and one incident of dishonesty, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can take a long time to overcome.
Melanie, I'm totally hearing you and what you're saying. And I agree with you. However, I'm not sure that what happened is christians "cheating the system". The system in this case is completely founded by the institution itself, not bound by law with punishable consequences. All I'm saying is that it doesn't seem that its "cheating the system" when servers are often given the choice to use their best judgment and discretion without negative repercussions.
But seriously, I'm not trying to argue with any of your points about them needing to be set apart in a dark city, so please don't misread this in that way. You make a very valid point on how their reaction to the situation could really stick with that girls mind and when later posed with a similar situation, spark a change in her. Totally with you there. I'm just not sure this man should be frowned upon had he did just say "thank you" and accept the lower bill. That's all I'm sayin'.
By the way, I'd like to disclose that I'm not in any way defending my own opinion or my personal thoughts on what I would do when purposed in this situation. I'm merely examining it and possibly giving a different point of view for the sake of discussion.
Carry on. :)
Bryan, you are too funny.... I read "cheating the system" several times before I saved it and I knew it didn't sound exactly like what I wanted to express, but couldn't think how else to express it! I do understand your stance as well.
Two days ago I was in a theme park, and ordered a costly counter-service lunch for 5. I asked for two drinks in refillable souvenir cups. They were $7.50 each. I was charged the refill price of $.99. I told the worker I was undercharged. The worker looked a little flustered, but his colleague said, "no worries, it's on us." I graciously accepted this "gift," realizing they probably were uncertain how to void the purchase and re-charge my bill. Perhaps there would be negative consequences.
Am I lacking in integrity because I didn't demand they call the manager and void and re-charge my purchase?
The blog post left a bad taste in my mouth because of the author's assertion that his morality was so remarkable that it literally astounded the server.
Perhaps "humility" could be the subject of his next blog post, LOL.
Post a Comment