Stingy tippers should take stock, change their ways
Written by James O'Rourke
Editor,
I wanted to commend Natalie Ladd on the tipping article today ("Smiling when the Tips are Down," column, Wednesday, Feb. 20). I continue to read your piece weekly and find it very enjoyable and almost always interesting. I hate to say it, but with today's economy nationally, but particularly in Maine, where people are really hurting, if there are places to scrimp, people will find them and not tipping well or at all, seems to be perceived by the consumer as one of those "anonymous" ways to cut back without too much guilt.
I recall a story my Mother told me many years ago about my parents dining out ways, shortly after World War II, when household budgets were exceedingly tight. My parents would eat out once a week at an "Economy" restaurant and split an entree, salad and Coke. My Father would leave a 12 percent tip on the table (the norm at that time) and my Mother would always find an excuse to go back to the table (left her purse, eyeglasses, etc) after my Father had departed, and you guessed it, would pick up the tip and stash it in her purse. Each week my Mother would insist on going to a new restaurant as she didn't want to have her secret discovered by a waitress mentioning the lack of tip from their previous meal.
It is unfortunate today that some diners believe there is no harm in light or no tipping. Perhaps it is time to adopt the European practice of automatically adding a 15 percent tip to every bill for the servers, however, I suspect that would be an excuse to only meet that minimum and not kick in the additional 5 percent to at least bring it up to 20 percent. I always attempt to tip 20 percent at a minimum, and if my meal and service were stellar, I often bump that up to 25-30 percent. Believe it or not, I, too, was once a server, back in my college days of the Dark Ages and I always swore that I would never stoop to stiffing a server. My friend, and semi famous bartender, John Myers, has always said that other bartenders and servers are the best tippers as they know well the work that goes into a good meal or drink.
Let's hope a few of your low or non tippers will read your article and see the evil of their ways.
James O'Rourke
Portland
I wanted to commend Natalie Ladd on the tipping article today ("Smiling when the Tips are Down," column, Wednesday, Feb. 20). I continue to read your piece weekly and find it very enjoyable and almost always interesting. I hate to say it, but with today's economy nationally, but particularly in Maine, where people are really hurting, if there are places to scrimp, people will find them and not tipping well or at all, seems to be perceived by the consumer as one of those "anonymous" ways to cut back without too much guilt.
I recall a story my Mother told me many years ago about my parents dining out ways, shortly after World War II, when household budgets were exceedingly tight. My parents would eat out once a week at an "Economy" restaurant and split an entree, salad and Coke. My Father would leave a 12 percent tip on the table (the norm at that time) and my Mother would always find an excuse to go back to the table (left her purse, eyeglasses, etc) after my Father had departed, and you guessed it, would pick up the tip and stash it in her purse. Each week my Mother would insist on going to a new restaurant as she didn't want to have her secret discovered by a waitress mentioning the lack of tip from their previous meal.
It is unfortunate today that some diners believe there is no harm in light or no tipping. Perhaps it is time to adopt the European practice of automatically adding a 15 percent tip to every bill for the servers, however, I suspect that would be an excuse to only meet that minimum and not kick in the additional 5 percent to at least bring it up to 20 percent. I always attempt to tip 20 percent at a minimum, and if my meal and service were stellar, I often bump that up to 25-30 percent. Believe it or not, I, too, was once a server, back in my college days of the Dark Ages and I always swore that I would never stoop to stiffing a server. My friend, and semi famous bartender, John Myers, has always said that other bartenders and servers are the best tippers as they know well the work that goes into a good meal or drink.
Let's hope a few of your low or non tippers will read your article and see the evil of their ways.
James O'Rourke
Portland
Last Updated on Friday, 22 February 2013 00:02
Hits: 64
Mayor's argument against buffer zone for Planned Parenthood not compelling
Written by Blynn Curtis
Editor,
On Feb. 12, I went with a group of community members to speak with City Councilor Ed Suslovic regarding the proposed buffer zone around the Planned Parenthood clinic on Congress street.
The evening before, Mayor Michael Brennan announced that he did not wish to further pursue the buffer zone, a position echoed by Suslovic during our meeting. Brennan seems to believe that the increased police presence at the weekly protests outside the health center has created a more peaceful environment. While there have been no arrests made in connection with the protests, extra security does not address the harassment. The police can make sure that the protesters don't block the entrance to the clinic, but because they are permitted to stand on its doorstep, anyone needing the medical care provided by the health center is subjected to a gauntlet of taunts and jeers. Some potential patients don't feel safe, and can't access the prompt care that they may need, and which Mayor Brennan has himself said is their right.
While a buffer zone would prevent the more direct harassment in a legally enforceable way, and allow more people access to health care, Mayor Brennan has expressed trepidation about the buffer zone in the past, both because the protesters have some First Amendment protections, and because he wishes to avoid a costly legal battle. However, buffer zones have been implemented successfully in several cities, including Burlington, Vt., and the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which also serves Maine, has three times upheld the constitutionality of a Massachusetts law similar to that being proposed here in Portland. With precedent on Mayor Brennan's side, he has the chance to take decisive action to protect the right to health care. Preemptive measures like a buffer zone will prevent violence. There is no reason to wait until there are arrests, or worse, related to the protests before taking action, and so I urge Mayor Brennan to reconsider.
Blynn Curtis
Portland
On Feb. 12, I went with a group of community members to speak with City Councilor Ed Suslovic regarding the proposed buffer zone around the Planned Parenthood clinic on Congress street.
The evening before, Mayor Michael Brennan announced that he did not wish to further pursue the buffer zone, a position echoed by Suslovic during our meeting. Brennan seems to believe that the increased police presence at the weekly protests outside the health center has created a more peaceful environment. While there have been no arrests made in connection with the protests, extra security does not address the harassment. The police can make sure that the protesters don't block the entrance to the clinic, but because they are permitted to stand on its doorstep, anyone needing the medical care provided by the health center is subjected to a gauntlet of taunts and jeers. Some potential patients don't feel safe, and can't access the prompt care that they may need, and which Mayor Brennan has himself said is their right.
While a buffer zone would prevent the more direct harassment in a legally enforceable way, and allow more people access to health care, Mayor Brennan has expressed trepidation about the buffer zone in the past, both because the protesters have some First Amendment protections, and because he wishes to avoid a costly legal battle. However, buffer zones have been implemented successfully in several cities, including Burlington, Vt., and the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which also serves Maine, has three times upheld the constitutionality of a Massachusetts law similar to that being proposed here in Portland. With precedent on Mayor Brennan's side, he has the chance to take decisive action to protect the right to health care. Preemptive measures like a buffer zone will prevent violence. There is no reason to wait until there are arrests, or worse, related to the protests before taking action, and so I urge Mayor Brennan to reconsider.
Blynn Curtis
Portland
Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 February 2013 21:12
Hits: 69
Reader doesn't care for Gallant's column mug
Written by Christine McHale
Editor,
I haven't miss one edition since day one. Keep up the great work, please. I don't always agree, but I always read Cliff Gallant. Could you please lose that picture? It is truly horrible. That's all I have to say. Thank you.
Christine McHale
Portland
I haven't miss one edition since day one. Keep up the great work, please. I don't always agree, but I always read Cliff Gallant. Could you please lose that picture? It is truly horrible. That's all I have to say. Thank you.
Christine McHale
Portland
Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 February 2013 21:13
Hits: 67
Street names column another gem from Gallant
Written by Leigh Donaldson
Editor,
Thanks to Cliff Gallant for his recent column "Portland Street Names" (Feb. 1). This city is so rich in under-discovered history and anecdotes. Gallant continues to do us a great service by unearthing so many gems such as these.
Leigh Donaldson
Portland
Thanks to Cliff Gallant for his recent column "Portland Street Names" (Feb. 1). This city is so rich in under-discovered history and anecdotes. Gallant continues to do us a great service by unearthing so many gems such as these.
Leigh Donaldson
Portland
Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 00:51
Hits: 65
Mayor Brennan lacks appropriate answer to child's question
Written by Ted Cohen
Editor,
For $65,400 one would think the taxpayers of Maine's largest city would get a mayor who could answer a question from a 5-year-old boy.
But by Mayor Michael Brennan's own admission, it took him more than a year to come up with an answer.
The little boy had asked the mayor what a mayor does.
Brennan was stumped.
So he came up with this. "I attend lots of meetings."
The mayor's answer to that wide-eyed little boy speaks volumes about an intrenched politician who ran for a job just because he could.
If Mayor Brennan were an inspirational leader, he could have said this to that little boy:
"Just like your mommy and daddy loves you and wants to provide you with a good life, I love the people of Portland as though they were my family. I want everyone in this city to have a good life. I want them to do well. As mayor, I want to do my best to inspire them and help them realize their dreams."
But Portland's top elected leader just attends meetings.
Ted Cohen
South Portland
For $65,400 one would think the taxpayers of Maine's largest city would get a mayor who could answer a question from a 5-year-old boy.
But by Mayor Michael Brennan's own admission, it took him more than a year to come up with an answer.
The little boy had asked the mayor what a mayor does.
Brennan was stumped.
So he came up with this. "I attend lots of meetings."
The mayor's answer to that wide-eyed little boy speaks volumes about an intrenched politician who ran for a job just because he could.
If Mayor Brennan were an inspirational leader, he could have said this to that little boy:
"Just like your mommy and daddy loves you and wants to provide you with a good life, I love the people of Portland as though they were my family. I want everyone in this city to have a good life. I want them to do well. As mayor, I want to do my best to inspire them and help them realize their dreams."
But Portland's top elected leader just attends meetings.
Ted Cohen
South Portland
Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 23:27
Hits: 86