I’m a little miffed after this latest trip.  The restaurant has decided that large parties automatically have an 18% tip added on.  I know it’s polite to tip… but when did it become mandatory?  And the real kicker… this was a buffet lunch.

Now why do I think this bullshit?  Let me explain:

• A mandatory tip says to me that the restauranteur and I have entered into an implied contract.  There should be a service level agreement, meaning that I should get priority treatment over those that can choose their tipping level.  Never happens…
• Mandatory tipping at a buffet?  You want eighteen cents on the dollar to bring water and take away plates?  That’s just ridiculous.
• A preset tip is automatically applied because I have a large party?  Since when does it take any more effort to deal with a table of twelve as opposed to three tables of four?  Scores high on my bullshit meter.

Tips are earned, not entitled.  I think the biggest reason that this 18% mandatory tipping has become acceptable is because we let it.  Let your opinion be known, either with your voice or your money.  I know I wont’ be returning to this establishment.

Just my two cents…

I’ve been pretty busy both personally and professional since last year.  I’m working on some new posts to be published shortly.

• It is no secret I love to geocache.  I use a small handheld Garmin GPS to hunt, but it’s not always that handy for driving.  I will explain how you can use your TomTom navigation system to let you know when you’re near a cache.
• I have recently upgraded my desktop and netbook computers to Windows 7.  My experiences as well as initial impressions will be posted shortly.

That’s it for now!  Y’all come back now, ya hear!

Kseniya does sand animation, and she does it well.  Not only is she quite artistic, the stories she tells are very touching.  If you watch these videos, you notice many people with some wet eyes.

This video portrays a life from cradle to grave…

… and this one portrays life in Ukraine during World War Two.

For more of Kseniya’s videos, head over to her YouTube page.