You've Been Served

Lately, a lot of conversations have popped up about tips and who is a good tipper vs. a bad tipper. There are certainly trends that I have seen. I don't like to call them stereotypes, but "observable trends," because the people in the restaurant industry experience these trends themselves instead of making judgments or statements without any background.

I think what many people forget is that as servers, the only money we make is the money that you are giving to us. After a mix-up with an order the other day at work, one of my guests asked if "my salary would be deducted" for the mix-up. I told him no, while the answer really rested with him. They're not going to deduct from my $2.13 an hour for a mix-up, but without a "proper" tip, I'm obviously not getting the salary that I would hope for either.

When I was in seventh grade my math teacher taught us how to calculate percentages and taught us to tip 15% and to help our parents do the math. Where do other people learn how to tip and learn what is a good or a bad tip? Where do people learn to round down or up when a bill ends in a 7? I still have yet to figure it all out and I'm sure I never will. Every day is a new learning experience about people and how they view and treat others. It's part of the reasons I am so intruiged by the food service industry. I love the constantly change of people yet familiarity of the atmosphere; it keeps things exciting.

Next time you go out, throw an extra dollar or two (or three, or four) on your tip. You might just make someone's day.

Car Educate

What are you like when you're driving your car by yourself? Do you dance? Sing? Talk on the phone? Sit quietly while you listen to the news? I've found that my trips in my car can either make or break my mood in the beginning or end of my day.

Last week while driving home during rush hour, I was facing the treacherous merge on Rt. 1 near the Mercer Mall. I had the radio on and one of those hip-hop dance songs was on, so I was blasting the music, windows down, singing at the top of my lungs, and dancing in the driver's seat. The man merging next to me was mid-twenties, and also grooving along to his music next to me, but with his windows closed. We smiled and waved at each other, and then went about our own singing and dancing business.

Personally, I blast my music and sing and dance because it helps me pass the time and makes the drive more bearable. But when other people look at me, they look at me like I'm crazy while they are driving in the traffic looking completely miserable. By this time it's only 5 or 5:30 and you still have at least part of your day left before you head to bed and get ready for the next day. Why ruin the ride home by being in a bad mood, rubber necking, and not having any fun?

What are your driving habits? How do you deal with traffic and rush hour? I hope that instead of hating the extra few minutes you might spend in the car, you'll celebrate one more song that you get to listen to.

The beginning...

So I've started a blog, obviously. Some quick things about me that you may or may not know:

-I'm Vietnamese.
-I'm a rising senior at TCNJ.
-My sister is in Viet Nam until September 5. If you want to read about her travels and adventures, visit withlovefromvietnam.wordpress.com
-Currently spending the summer interning and working full-time at PF Chang's and enjoying it so far!
-My name means orchid in Vietnamese (hence, the title of the blog).
-One of my ultimate goals in life is to visit all seven continents. I've been to three so far.
-Music has been a huge part of my life for the past 16 years, and is something that I love in so many different aspects.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts and ramblings, and thanks for reading.