Post

re: Tourism: on Tipping in Iceland and Nepal (Massoud Malek, US; ex-Iran) (John Eipper, USA, 11/26/09 11:35 am)

Massoud Malek responds to JE's comments on tipping in Iceland (see Alain de Benoist's post of 25 November): I guess Icelandic restaurant owners are forced by law to be more generous to their waiters than others, so waiters can survive without tips. In Pokhara, Nepal, there was a nice restaurant on the lakeshore, owned by a westerner, serving great western food. The first time I went there, I found out that my waiter was making only a dollar a day. After I got my bill (about $6), I told the waiter to ask the owner for a discount. He came back and said, no discount! I told him to tell the owner that I just arrived in this town, I would like to have my breakfasts and dinners in this restaurant, so I would like to get a discount. The owner agreed to a one-dollar discount. I gave the discount money, plus two dollars tip to the waiter, who gave me a big smile. For over a week, I had my breakfasts and dinners in the same restaurant. I got fifty cents discount for the breakfast and one dollar for the dinner which appeared on my bill. One day, the owner asked me: Why are all the waiters so eager to serve you? I just told him that I tease them and make them smile. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. JE comments: And happy Thanksgiving to Massoud Malek. I won't be tipping anyone today, but I'll be very grateful for Mom's home cooking!

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