PUBLIC VIEWPOINT: A Few Tips On Restaurant Tipping

I was raised in a restaurant and know how important a tip is. I do not go by percentage, but by respect and service. If my server addresses me as “sir” and my wife as “ma’am”, and gives us good, friendly service, they will get a good tip.

But, if we are called “sweetie,” “honey,” or “love” or given lousy service, that tip shrinks.

I know many restaurants share the tip with the kitchen help. Maybe those people can get the server to wake up. Also, if I am to pay by debit card, I will ask my server if the restaurant charges servers a percentage. If yes, I will tip in cash so they will not get charged.

No, I am not a cheapskate.I know how important the tip is, but I also believe in “earning” my pay.

GEORGE LENT

Rogers

TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE NEWS

Some good news and some bad news: The good news is an official report from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, shows for the past 10 years in America the average number of student deaths resulting from school bus crashes is six per year. Arkansas has had two bus-related deaths, one in 2001 and another one in 2012. Compare that with National Center’s statistics for the past 10years that show an average of 41 students lose their lives each year in school shootings nationwide.

This indicates our bus drivers nationwide do a remarkable job and our children are comparatively safe riding our school buses.

In a letter to the Editor dated Jan. 16, this author wrote, “After leaving the outskirts of Houston on your way to the Canadian border, the most congested and dangerous stretch of road is U.S. Highway 71 through Bella Vista.” I drew that conclusion after making that trip numerous times over the past several years. So, I thought perhaps I should back up that statement with some facts.

The offcial Bella Vista police records covering the past three years, reveal the following statistics: (This report covers only U.S.

Highway 71 from the top of the hill south of Bella Vista to the Missouri State Line).

  1. Average of 124 accidents a year.
  2. Average of one death each year.
  3. Average of 16 injured, requiring hospitalization, each year.

It will be interesting to see if the liquor stores popping up along this route will increase the statistics listed above. If the numbers do get worse, this will make it more important to have our own schools in Bella Vista and get our school children oft the treacherous U.S. Highway 71.

JIM PARSONS

Bella Vista

Opinion, Pages 5 on 02/02/2013

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