Mark Steyn: Go forth and multiply

National Post (Canada) ^ | 01/28/03 | Mark Steyn

[Nonstatist]

Tips for services rendered have nothing to do with charity..

They do for most people; the same service might bring different rewards based on intangibles like empathetic response or sentimentality or whatever..Too bad youre not the bossman, then you can tell the rest of us what to consider and what not to! (my guess is you just plain don't like "lower class" waitresses, but thats just a guess)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

I'm quite hidebound, I'm afraid.

[MattinNJ]

Ping

[Cable225]

It's got to be truly dreadful service for me to leave less than 20%

As you go on to say, you CAN tell the difference between overworked and lazy. But when you leave a small tip for bad service, the server probably just writes you off as a low tipper and doesn't consider that the service was poor.

When we go out and the service is awful, I still leave the 20%, but I don't leave it with the bill or on the table. I find the manager of the establishment and leave the tip, along with my complaints.

And I always say "when he/she tells you later that we didn't leave a tip, you can tell them why". I have yet to get bad service a second time.

[reformedliberal]

A point totally understood 35 years ago by the Left:"Children are a lifelong sanction on the parents by the State." This was used to reinforce the idea of retaining more personal autonomy by having fewer children and was used in conjunction w/Erhlich's predictions and the availability of abortion on demand to encourage people to not have children.

It was only a matter of time before it was applied to those who had children, anyway.

[Artist]

"Personally, I thought it was a great ending to a great article."

Me too.

[steve-b]

As you go on to say, you CAN tell the difference between overworked and lazy.

Anyone who can count the number of waitstaff and the number of customers without removing his shoes can make that determination. My baseline is based on a reasonable expectation of what can be expected given the circumstances.

But when you leave a small tip for bad service, the server probably just writes you off as a low tipper and doesn't consider that the service was poor.

In almost every case that I've tipped below 15-20% (or not at all, in extreme cases), the cause has been abominably slow service (not caused by overcrowding, for which I make allowances). If the staffer can't make such an obvious connection, then spelling it out isn't likely to help.

[newgeezer]

But when you leave a small tip for bad service, the server probably just writes you off as a low tipper and doesn't consider that the service was poor.

The one time in my middle-aged life that the service was truly bad, a nickel did my talking for me.

That way, (s)he can't mistake me for a low tipper OR (in the case of no tip at all) a forgetful or penny-pinching boob.

[Congressman Billybob]

I wonder how much two factors play in the decline of many Western nations' birthrates below the replacement level. One factor is consumerism. Children cost money. The more money you spend on your children, the less you have to spend on yourselves.

The other factor is the decline of public education. If you know that the schools are turning out dummies, and the society itself is getting steadily dumber and more self-destructive, is it just a logical conclusion not to "bring more children into this mess"? I think both those factors play a part. I doubt that anyone can quantify the degree of that impact.

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest column for UPI, "Necessary Lies -- Iraq & N. Korea" (Now up on UPI wire, and FR.)

As the politician formerly known as Al Gore has said, Buy my book, "to Restore Trust in America"

[Do Be]

I was using the word charity more in the biblical sense, a reference to the heart.

Are you Islamic? I've heard there is a lot of 'an eye for an eye' in the peaceful Islamic cult religion. This would explain your attitude.

You sound very young, selfish, unforgiving and inexperienced in the ways of the world.

Generosity is not a character fault. Neither is a kind, loving attitude toward your fellow man. Don't fret, you'll get there, if you try. Ask and it shall be given unto you.

[maxwell]

Next time you're in a rundown diner and the 17-year-old waitress is eight months pregnant, don't tut "What a tragedy" and point her to the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic. Leave her a large tip instead. She's doing the right thing, not just for her, but for all of us.

Well I dunno about THAT, but I'd tip her good anyhow...

[knighthawk]

Ping

[speekinout]

Once you're as far down the death spiral as Italy is, it's hard to reverse. Most European races are going to be out of business in a couple more generations.

And want to bet that none of the Leftists will put the Italians or other European races on the "endangered species" list?
They wail and gnash their teeth if some species of toad is endangered, but if an entire ethnic group of humans is likely to disappear, they do all they can to hasten the disappearance.

[gcruse]

The abortionists respond that every child should be "wanted." Sounds nice and cuddly, but it leads remorselessly to Italian yuppie couples having just the one kid in their thirties.

So we should have more children than we want for the good of the State?
I can't believe Mark is camped out in the authoritarian wilderness, but
words are words and have meaning.      So sad, too bad.

[MinorityRepublican]

Most European races are going to be out of business in a couple more generations.

Do not worry. The remaining Europeans in the next few generations will be much more conservative and will have a lot of kids. Just imagine if there are 50,000 families in each European country that has more than 5 kids. We'll notice it over time as the secular Europeans cease to exist.

[A.J.Armitage]

Bump.

[LibKill]

Before I marry and reproduce, I want some rights under law as a Father and a Man.

To include, but not limited to:

Any allegations of 'abuse' or 'domestic violence' have to be proved, in court, before any injunction may be issued against me. It is common practice for feminist lawyers to get an injunction against the man on no grounds other than 'she said', before proceedings even start.

I want a presumption under law that the children are better off with me than with the round-heeled adultress. Hey, it's been presumed that the woman is better for 250 years, It's my turn now.

I want adultery to be grounds for divorce again, and for the adultress to lose parental rights, all property, etc.

Won't happen, but I can dream.

Until then, I and many other American men are on a 'Marriage Strike'.

[MinorityRepublican]

Until then, I and many other American men are on a 'Marriage Strike'.

Well, not all women are B####es, right? Just kidding.

[Avoiding_Sulla]

Until then, I and many other American men are on a 'Marriage Strike'.

Yeah, that'll teach those b@st@rds who're hoping you'll give up your posterity just to spite their planning you'll respond -- exactly that way.

Prenuptial agreement could protect you from most of your fears. If you fear that such a course will take the romance out of romance, well then, you sound like some women I've met. It's probably a good thing you stay single then.