Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 71
November 25, 2013
Don't Mess with the People Who Handle Your Food
Nothing seems to get people riled up like a good discussion about tipping in restaurants. Over the years, I've witnessed some of the most heated discussions about tipping and poor restaurant behavior, with a clear divide between people who believe you should tip well and people who think servers make far too much money and we should all tip less.
One thing I've noticed? No matter what you say, people who tip 0%-10% at sit-down restaurants are not going to budge, no matter what you say.
Recently, my longtime friend Jilly re-posted a photo on Facebook that had gone viral. Apparently a pastor in St. Louis marked out an automatic 18% gratuity with the comment, "I give God 10%. Why should I give you 18%?"
Two things jumped out at me right away:
The woman gives 10% of her SALARY to God. The restaurant is adding 18% of the food she ate. Big difference.Haven't restaurant workers learned by now that if you post a customer receipt online, you're going to be fired?But I digress. The whole incident ignited a storm everywhere it was posted, with thousands of consumers offering their opinions. Most felt that the pastor should be ashamed of herself, especially since she called the restaurant and got the server who posted the receipt fired before issuing a public relations-guided apology to save her reputation.
However, a small minority came forward to agree with the pastor, saying 10% is a fair tip for a server. Those comments incited the usual, "You've obviously never waited tables" argument, along with, "If you don't want to tip, stay home and cook your own meals."
Another thing I've found over the years--people who don't believe in tipping 15%-20% are not going to change their minds. They're also not going to stop eating at Applebee's and Chili's, no matter how many times you tell them they should. They have their reasons and they don't think they should stop eating where they want to eat. They also don't believe a server will ever spit in their food. I hope they're right!
The tipped minimum wage has barely budged since 1966, when it was initiated at 50% of the minimum wage at the time. Currently, it's at $2.13 an hour, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. $2.13 is not 50 percent of $7.25, no matter how you crunch the numbers. Reportedly restaurant industry lobbyists work hard to keep the tipped wage the same--but if it ever increases to 50% of the federal minimum wage, you can bet that extra expense will be added to the menu prices.
The answer is clear. If you disagree with paying 15%-20%, don't punish hard-working servers. Punish the restaurant industry that makes sure the tipped hourly wage stays the same, decade after decade. By dining at home or choosing restaurants that pay their workers at least $7.25 an hour (i.e. fast food and fast casual restaurants), you'll make a statement to the national restaurant chains. You may very well be making your 0%-10% statement by keeping a server from providing food for his/her children that week.
One thing I've noticed? No matter what you say, people who tip 0%-10% at sit-down restaurants are not going to budge, no matter what you say.
Recently, my longtime friend Jilly re-posted a photo on Facebook that had gone viral. Apparently a pastor in St. Louis marked out an automatic 18% gratuity with the comment, "I give God 10%. Why should I give you 18%?"
Two things jumped out at me right away:
The woman gives 10% of her SALARY to God. The restaurant is adding 18% of the food she ate. Big difference.Haven't restaurant workers learned by now that if you post a customer receipt online, you're going to be fired?But I digress. The whole incident ignited a storm everywhere it was posted, with thousands of consumers offering their opinions. Most felt that the pastor should be ashamed of herself, especially since she called the restaurant and got the server who posted the receipt fired before issuing a public relations-guided apology to save her reputation.
However, a small minority came forward to agree with the pastor, saying 10% is a fair tip for a server. Those comments incited the usual, "You've obviously never waited tables" argument, along with, "If you don't want to tip, stay home and cook your own meals."
Another thing I've found over the years--people who don't believe in tipping 15%-20% are not going to change their minds. They're also not going to stop eating at Applebee's and Chili's, no matter how many times you tell them they should. They have their reasons and they don't think they should stop eating where they want to eat. They also don't believe a server will ever spit in their food. I hope they're right!
The tipped minimum wage has barely budged since 1966, when it was initiated at 50% of the minimum wage at the time. Currently, it's at $2.13 an hour, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. $2.13 is not 50 percent of $7.25, no matter how you crunch the numbers. Reportedly restaurant industry lobbyists work hard to keep the tipped wage the same--but if it ever increases to 50% of the federal minimum wage, you can bet that extra expense will be added to the menu prices.
The answer is clear. If you disagree with paying 15%-20%, don't punish hard-working servers. Punish the restaurant industry that makes sure the tipped hourly wage stays the same, decade after decade. By dining at home or choosing restaurants that pay their workers at least $7.25 an hour (i.e. fast food and fast casual restaurants), you'll make a statement to the national restaurant chains. You may very well be making your 0%-10% statement by keeping a server from providing food for his/her children that week.
November 18, 2013
Is Christmas REALLY Coming Earlier?
Each year, we're always surprised at how early retailers start Christmas preparations. Christmas trees in stores before Halloween? Crazy, right? When we were younger, retailers didn't even think about Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. We're sure of it.
But is this really true?
The origin of the term "Season Creep" can be traced back to a 1987 article in the Chicago Sun-Times. The article, which was about a man who took his role as Santa very seriously, stated, "And so does the culture, with a commercializing of himself that Santa deplores even as he has watched the holiday season creep back to Labor Day."
However, the term "Season Creep," also known as "Christmas Creep," didn't come into mainstream use until around 2006, when an article linked it to global warming. A 2007 article extended the term to mean that as global warming changes the world around us, seasons in general are beginning to creep into each other. But as a recent Slate.com article pointed out, ads were encouraging shoppers to begin their Christmas shopping in October as early as 1912.
Still, were Christmas decorations in stores before Halloween prior to the year 2000? I really don't remember. Does anyone else?
Consumers have complained about early Christmas decorations, but that hasn't stopped retailers. I personally noticed the issue this year when an online friend posted a photo of herself, in Halloween costume, posing at the mall in front of a Christmas tree. The malls encourage people to celebrate Halloween with them, but they greet those families with a blend of holidays that must seem a little bizarre.
Then there's the issue of Christmas cards. Families wanting to have current pictures of their children with Santa need to get those pictures taken early. If malls wait until November 29 to start lining kids up to sit on Santa's lap, parents will be rushed to get cards made and in the mail. When combined with all the other stresses of the Christmas season, do parents need that stress, too?
Still, consumers are very vocal about their dislike of Christmas Creep. In fact, one Canadian retailer was forced to remove its Christmas music when customers complained that November 2nd was too early to be hearing Jingle Bells.
Is the problem getting worse? Maybe. But I know I've been hearing people complain about it since at least the early 00s.
But is this really true?
The origin of the term "Season Creep" can be traced back to a 1987 article in the Chicago Sun-Times. The article, which was about a man who took his role as Santa very seriously, stated, "And so does the culture, with a commercializing of himself that Santa deplores even as he has watched the holiday season creep back to Labor Day."
However, the term "Season Creep," also known as "Christmas Creep," didn't come into mainstream use until around 2006, when an article linked it to global warming. A 2007 article extended the term to mean that as global warming changes the world around us, seasons in general are beginning to creep into each other. But as a recent Slate.com article pointed out, ads were encouraging shoppers to begin their Christmas shopping in October as early as 1912.
Still, were Christmas decorations in stores before Halloween prior to the year 2000? I really don't remember. Does anyone else?
Consumers have complained about early Christmas decorations, but that hasn't stopped retailers. I personally noticed the issue this year when an online friend posted a photo of herself, in Halloween costume, posing at the mall in front of a Christmas tree. The malls encourage people to celebrate Halloween with them, but they greet those families with a blend of holidays that must seem a little bizarre.
Then there's the issue of Christmas cards. Families wanting to have current pictures of their children with Santa need to get those pictures taken early. If malls wait until November 29 to start lining kids up to sit on Santa's lap, parents will be rushed to get cards made and in the mail. When combined with all the other stresses of the Christmas season, do parents need that stress, too?
Still, consumers are very vocal about their dislike of Christmas Creep. In fact, one Canadian retailer was forced to remove its Christmas music when customers complained that November 2nd was too early to be hearing Jingle Bells.
Is the problem getting worse? Maybe. But I know I've been hearing people complain about it since at least the early 00s.
November 11, 2013
When You Least Expect It...
There are few things in this world more beautiful than my book cover.
I have it as my phone screensaver, my desktop wallpaper, and even on the coffee cup I drink out of each morning. (Thanks for the birthday gift, Mom!)
And what could be even more beautiful than my first book cover? The possibility of a second book cover...to be revealed in 2014.
Yes, that's right! I sold a second book. 25 Roses will be coming to bookstores everywhere in the spring/summer of 2015.
When I sold my second book, I was working in my PJs, as I tend to do when it's after 5pm! The best part of the story, though, is that I had my head covered in hair bleach and Crest Whitestrips on my teeth.
I couldn't make this stuff up!
Hopefully when I get my next piece of good news, I'll look a little more presentable. But if not, who cares?!!!
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I have it as my phone screensaver, my desktop wallpaper, and even on the coffee cup I drink out of each morning. (Thanks for the birthday gift, Mom!)
And what could be even more beautiful than my first book cover? The possibility of a second book cover...to be revealed in 2014.
Yes, that's right! I sold a second book. 25 Roses will be coming to bookstores everywhere in the spring/summer of 2015.
When I sold my second book, I was working in my PJs, as I tend to do when it's after 5pm! The best part of the story, though, is that I had my head covered in hair bleach and Crest Whitestrips on my teeth.
I couldn't make this stuff up!
Hopefully when I get my next piece of good news, I'll look a little more presentable. But if not, who cares?!!!
November 4, 2013
How to Unclog an Unplungable Toilet
Our toilet has been temperamental lately. It's old. But working from home means you need a functioning toilet...and you don't always have a man around to fix it when it breaks.
One such day happened last week. The toilet was clogged. Before you get a yucky image, there was nothing in the bowl but a little toilet paper, so maybe that will help!
I'd like to think I know how to use a plunger. But after about 30 minutes of (off and on) plunging, nothing was happening. It was time for drastic measures.
Time to do a Google search.
There, I found some information I didn't really think would work. This:
Plus this:
Can make that clog go bye-bye. often without the use of a plunger. The water should be hot but not boiling. You pour the dishwashing liquid into the toilet, wait about ten minutes, then pour hot water down the drain.
But before I even poured the hot water, the dishwashing liquid was doing the trick. It was a miracle!
One such day happened last week. The toilet was clogged. Before you get a yucky image, there was nothing in the bowl but a little toilet paper, so maybe that will help!
I'd like to think I know how to use a plunger. But after about 30 minutes of (off and on) plunging, nothing was happening. It was time for drastic measures.
Time to do a Google search.
There, I found some information I didn't really think would work. This:
Plus this:
Can make that clog go bye-bye. often without the use of a plunger. The water should be hot but not boiling. You pour the dishwashing liquid into the toilet, wait about ten minutes, then pour hot water down the drain.
But before I even poured the hot water, the dishwashing liquid was doing the trick. It was a miracle!
October 28, 2013
The Glamorous Life
One morning six months ago, a client who lived in Denmark wanted to have a Skype call about a writing job I was doing for her. Because of the time difference, though, the best time for us to talk was 6 a.m. my time.
So I woke up early, got ready for my day job, and sat down at my desk with a cup of coffee. "This is how people in the real world work," I thought.
Not that state government, where I'd worked for 20 years, wasn't the real world. But in state government you're never allowed to work from home and there's no reason you'd ever Skype with Denmark. (At least not that I can think of!)
It felt so exciting. So glamorous.
Last week, I had one Skype call, two GoToMeetings, and three phone calls. Among those were clients in London, New York, California...and one woman who wasn't sure where she was. Glamorous?
I'm officially living that "glamorous" life. This is how it looks:
It is exciting to be able to work from home and build my own business. Nothing beats that. Oh...wait...one thing beats that. That thing?
WRITING.
All that to say--it's interesting how something new goes from feeling really glamorous to (gradually) feeling like daily life. I wish we could retain that excitement we feel when we move to a new house, buy a new car, or start an exciting new life. Where does that feeling go?
So I woke up early, got ready for my day job, and sat down at my desk with a cup of coffee. "This is how people in the real world work," I thought.
Not that state government, where I'd worked for 20 years, wasn't the real world. But in state government you're never allowed to work from home and there's no reason you'd ever Skype with Denmark. (At least not that I can think of!)
It felt so exciting. So glamorous.
Last week, I had one Skype call, two GoToMeetings, and three phone calls. Among those were clients in London, New York, California...and one woman who wasn't sure where she was. Glamorous?
I'm officially living that "glamorous" life. This is how it looks:
It is exciting to be able to work from home and build my own business. Nothing beats that. Oh...wait...one thing beats that. That thing?
WRITING.
All that to say--it's interesting how something new goes from feeling really glamorous to (gradually) feeling like daily life. I wish we could retain that excitement we feel when we move to a new house, buy a new car, or start an exciting new life. Where does that feeling go?
October 21, 2013
I Finally Figured Out Why I Hate Grocery Shopping
I moved to this area of town in 2006. Prior to that time, I don't recall any particular feelings about grocery shopping. I do recall visiting this area of town once and stopping by the only grocery store in the area, Kroger. I commented to my mother, who lived nearby, that their Kroger was horrible. She said yes, this is the worst Kroger she's ever seen.
After moving here, grocery shopping became a highly stressful experience. If I worked all day and came straight home, I was fine. If I worked all day and stopped by the grocery store, I was exhausted and tense. I just assumed I'd developed some intolerance to grocery shopping at some point.
Then, a few months ago, a competing grocery store opened. Now we have two grocery stores to cover an entire 15-mile radius. The new store, Publix, has wide, open aisles and is meticulously clean. Here are Publix's aisles:
Kroger aisles look a little closer to this:
Including those cardboard stands in the middle of the aisle. Does anyone actually buy products from those things? I never look at them--just try to summon patience as I wait for the person coming the other way to pass so I can veer around them.
And now it's time for the biggest grocery store stressor of them all. It goes without describing...
...but I'll describe it anyway. People who block the aisle and refuse to move make me want to have my own Norma Rae moment. I'm not just talking about couples and families who spread out and act like each decision will impact the next 20 years of their lives. I'm talking about the one person who stands next to his or her cart, ignoring everyone else.
I just have one question. Do they really have the ability to tune everyone else out? Or are they simply rude?
What are your grocery store annoyances?
After moving here, grocery shopping became a highly stressful experience. If I worked all day and came straight home, I was fine. If I worked all day and stopped by the grocery store, I was exhausted and tense. I just assumed I'd developed some intolerance to grocery shopping at some point.
Then, a few months ago, a competing grocery store opened. Now we have two grocery stores to cover an entire 15-mile radius. The new store, Publix, has wide, open aisles and is meticulously clean. Here are Publix's aisles:
Kroger aisles look a little closer to this:
Including those cardboard stands in the middle of the aisle. Does anyone actually buy products from those things? I never look at them--just try to summon patience as I wait for the person coming the other way to pass so I can veer around them.
And now it's time for the biggest grocery store stressor of them all. It goes without describing...
...but I'll describe it anyway. People who block the aisle and refuse to move make me want to have my own Norma Rae moment. I'm not just talking about couples and families who spread out and act like each decision will impact the next 20 years of their lives. I'm talking about the one person who stands next to his or her cart, ignoring everyone else.
I just have one question. Do they really have the ability to tune everyone else out? Or are they simply rude?
What are your grocery store annoyances?
October 14, 2013
Maybe This is Why the Post Office is Failing
I'm a self-confessed online shopper. If there's something I need that I can't get at the grocery store, I buy it online. For that reason, UPS and FedEx are regular visitors to my front doorstep.
Now that I work from home, that isn't as much an issue as it was when I was away from the house all day. The UPS truck is here at least two or three times a week. They leave the package, press the doorbell, and keep going. It works out perfectly for everyone.
Not so with the US Postal Service. Our lovely government workers never, ever visit my doorstep. If there's a package, they slip it into one of the larger boxes in our community mailboxes and put a key in my box. If those boxes fill up, I get a slip in my mailbox telling me I have to drive ten or fifteen minutes out of my way and wait in line to get it. That's apparently easier than the postal worker driving 40 yards or so to my house, getting out of the truck, and knocking on the door.
If a package arrives that requires a signature, I'm getting a slip. The protocol should be to drive those 40 yards, knock on my door, and get my signature, right? Wrong. Instead of driving those 40 yards, the postal worker goes back to his truck and gets one of these:
We all hate those slips, don't we? I know when I worked 8-5, I groaned every time I saw a slip like that. Because the post office isn't open during hours that are convenient to the large number of Americans working in offices Monday-Friday, it means sacrificing a Saturday morning to stand in line.
All of that is fine, but I was home twice when this slip was put in my mailbox. Twice. The second time, my husband suggested I complain, to which I said, "It won't do any good."
So I complained. After waiting in line for ten minutes and having to write my entire address out on that touchscreen, I told the woman behind the counter that I was home when the postal worker put the "Sorry we missed you" slip in the mailbox--he didn't even bother knocking. The woman gave me a look that said, "Why are you bothering me with this information?" and moved on to the next customer.
I knew that would be the response. I expected it. But the fact that I expected it told me exactly why businesses are choosing to use FedEx and UPS to ship things to online shoppers like me. Despite the fact that we now have a choice, why does the post office act like we don't?
In the end, that mentality is what will take the post office down.
How do you feel when you get one of those "Sorry we missed you" notes?
Now that I work from home, that isn't as much an issue as it was when I was away from the house all day. The UPS truck is here at least two or three times a week. They leave the package, press the doorbell, and keep going. It works out perfectly for everyone.
Not so with the US Postal Service. Our lovely government workers never, ever visit my doorstep. If there's a package, they slip it into one of the larger boxes in our community mailboxes and put a key in my box. If those boxes fill up, I get a slip in my mailbox telling me I have to drive ten or fifteen minutes out of my way and wait in line to get it. That's apparently easier than the postal worker driving 40 yards or so to my house, getting out of the truck, and knocking on the door.
If a package arrives that requires a signature, I'm getting a slip. The protocol should be to drive those 40 yards, knock on my door, and get my signature, right? Wrong. Instead of driving those 40 yards, the postal worker goes back to his truck and gets one of these:
We all hate those slips, don't we? I know when I worked 8-5, I groaned every time I saw a slip like that. Because the post office isn't open during hours that are convenient to the large number of Americans working in offices Monday-Friday, it means sacrificing a Saturday morning to stand in line.
All of that is fine, but I was home twice when this slip was put in my mailbox. Twice. The second time, my husband suggested I complain, to which I said, "It won't do any good."
So I complained. After waiting in line for ten minutes and having to write my entire address out on that touchscreen, I told the woman behind the counter that I was home when the postal worker put the "Sorry we missed you" slip in the mailbox--he didn't even bother knocking. The woman gave me a look that said, "Why are you bothering me with this information?" and moved on to the next customer.
I knew that would be the response. I expected it. But the fact that I expected it told me exactly why businesses are choosing to use FedEx and UPS to ship things to online shoppers like me. Despite the fact that we now have a choice, why does the post office act like we don't?
In the end, that mentality is what will take the post office down.
How do you feel when you get one of those "Sorry we missed you" notes?
October 7, 2013
October: The Month to Visit Haunted Places
October is, hands-down, my favorite month of the year.
One of the reasons for that is that in October, almost every historic place in America provides spooky tours. And touring a historic building is much more fun at night, with the hosts holding lanterns while dressed in costume.
When I was working on my series about tween ghost hunters, I had the perfect excuse to visit every haunted place I could. I went through ghost hunter training, with no intention of ever ghost hunting for real, and I watched eight seasons or so of the show Ghost Hunters. Call it research--mostly, I just enjoyed the stories.
I finally figured out, after taking a standard tour of a historic home here in middle Tennessee, that what these tours do is give you stories of the people who lived in the home, rather than simply stating facts. Some daytime tours do that, as well, but there's something about walking through an old house at night, listening to stories of strange sounds and sightings, that ramps the experience up a little.
The whole thing makes me want to write a spooky book again, if only to have an excuse to research.
Do you believe in ghosts?
One of the reasons for that is that in October, almost every historic place in America provides spooky tours. And touring a historic building is much more fun at night, with the hosts holding lanterns while dressed in costume.
When I was working on my series about tween ghost hunters, I had the perfect excuse to visit every haunted place I could. I went through ghost hunter training, with no intention of ever ghost hunting for real, and I watched eight seasons or so of the show Ghost Hunters. Call it research--mostly, I just enjoyed the stories.
I finally figured out, after taking a standard tour of a historic home here in middle Tennessee, that what these tours do is give you stories of the people who lived in the home, rather than simply stating facts. Some daytime tours do that, as well, but there's something about walking through an old house at night, listening to stories of strange sounds and sightings, that ramps the experience up a little.
The whole thing makes me want to write a spooky book again, if only to have an excuse to research.
Do you believe in ghosts?
October 1, 2013
Have You Tried Rebooting?
I went to school to be a TV reporter. I worked in public relations for seven years. And then...
I earned a living fixing computers.
Yes, I was Nick Burns.
How did I end up THERE? I have no idea. There were no signs of it in high school or college. I hated DOS at first sight and, even when computers reached the point that we all started loving them, I still had no place working on them.
Confession time: from 1999 to 2013, I lived in fear, DAILY, of help desk tickets. If you don't fix computers, imagine someone handing you a piece of paper and sending you off to figure out someone's computer problem. That was me.
But I faked it. Apparently I faked it pretty well, too, because every time I left a help desk position to take a position somewhere else, I was told I was going to be missed greatly.
Oh, in case you missed it, YES, I left a help desk position to take a position somewhere else...repeatedly. And every time I was promised I would never have to do help desk tickets. And every time, someone, somewhere would decide it was a good idea to put me on the help desk. In my later years, I was put "in charge of" the help desk. But don't be fooled if anyone ever tells you being put in charge of something means you won't be doing that something. Whether you're managing a local fast food joint or heading up a team of engineers, you still will be expected to help your team, probably on a daily basis.
But I digress. My point is, I was never meant to fix people's computer problems. I have no idea what makes these things work and really don't care to know. I love writing about technology and the latest Apple operating system and cool cases to buy for your smartphone--that sort of thing brings out the gadget geek in me. But if you want me to take an iPhone apart, forget it. Not only do I have no interest in doing anything of the sort, the idea terrifies me.
No, I don't know why your printer isn't working. And the good news is, I don't have to know anymore because it's not my job.
I earned a living fixing computers.
Yes, I was Nick Burns.
How did I end up THERE? I have no idea. There were no signs of it in high school or college. I hated DOS at first sight and, even when computers reached the point that we all started loving them, I still had no place working on them.
Confession time: from 1999 to 2013, I lived in fear, DAILY, of help desk tickets. If you don't fix computers, imagine someone handing you a piece of paper and sending you off to figure out someone's computer problem. That was me.
But I faked it. Apparently I faked it pretty well, too, because every time I left a help desk position to take a position somewhere else, I was told I was going to be missed greatly.
Oh, in case you missed it, YES, I left a help desk position to take a position somewhere else...repeatedly. And every time I was promised I would never have to do help desk tickets. And every time, someone, somewhere would decide it was a good idea to put me on the help desk. In my later years, I was put "in charge of" the help desk. But don't be fooled if anyone ever tells you being put in charge of something means you won't be doing that something. Whether you're managing a local fast food joint or heading up a team of engineers, you still will be expected to help your team, probably on a daily basis.
But I digress. My point is, I was never meant to fix people's computer problems. I have no idea what makes these things work and really don't care to know. I love writing about technology and the latest Apple operating system and cool cases to buy for your smartphone--that sort of thing brings out the gadget geek in me. But if you want me to take an iPhone apart, forget it. Not only do I have no interest in doing anything of the sort, the idea terrifies me.
No, I don't know why your printer isn't working. And the good news is, I don't have to know anymore because it's not my job.
