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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Manpot]
#285250
06/26/2022 03:54 PM
06/26/2022 03:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 375
Carib_Ian
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 375
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Manpot]
#285259
06/26/2022 09:16 PM
06/26/2022 09:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,711 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,711
Memphis, BVI, CT
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Recent BVI employment practices have pushed some people into service work who have no business being there. Employers aren't given work permits, to force them to hire locals. Not just wait staff, but hired captains. Regrettably and predictably, this can lead to poor service.
The only rationale I can come up with for the double service fee is that, if they increased wages, they would be paid whether busy or not. This way the workers only get paid more when they're busy.
Last edited by RatmansWife; 06/26/2022 09:21 PM.
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: RatmansWife]
#285278
06/27/2022 09:27 AM
06/27/2022 09:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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The only rationale I can come up with for the double service fee is that, if they increased wages, they would be paid whether busy or not. This way the workers only get paid more when they're busy. This would make sense but there are unfortunately exceptions. There is a very popular hotel/restaurant on the North shore that take the service fee and grosses up the servers rate/tip payment but to a max of $10/hour and they expect them to turn in any cash tips to be included in that calculation. The rest goes to the house for "costs". My regular server knows to walk me outside when I leave and I have to slip it into her pocket but she says she'll be fired if caught. Now I wait to see her in town usually. It's disgraceful.
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Manpot]
#285588
07/03/2022 04:12 PM
07/03/2022 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 259 42.99N 76.46W
jmon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 259
42.99N 76.46W
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Maybe we need to encourage visitors to be good guests as well. I have been a very regular visitor to the BVI since the mid-80s and have seen some pretty rude folks on the guest side of the table- especially after a day of too much sun and rum. I have never seen a server throw a plate at anyone but there have been a few who deserved it. The US and BVI have been through some pretty rough times in the past few years and maybe we need to cut them some slack and not act like we are better than them. Pack your sunscreen and leave your attitude at home. Prices are high and help is hard to find everywhere. Just sayin'.
Jeff Tug William B
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Manpot]
#285595
07/03/2022 09:20 PM
07/03/2022 09:20 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 269
steve74
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 269
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We just returned from two weeks and honestly the food was as good as it has ever been for us. We had great meals at Wonky, Leverick, Bitter End, Hendos, Tipsy Shark, Abes, Paradise, and Pirates. After having a terrible experience twice last year at Pirates, we were quite pleased with our meal and experience this year. I also wasn't expecting Paradise to be as good as it was. Overall, Wonky and Hendos are probably our favorites, but two of four our meals at Leverick were simply fantastic. The other two were good, but not a 9 or 10. If you are craving pizza, Bitter End is the place. Their other entrees and setting were also really good. We did not try North Sound Bistro - maybe next year.
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Cleobeach]
#285597
07/03/2022 09:55 PM
07/03/2022 09:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,155 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,155
GA/NC
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I worked as a server at two family owned, super busy bars/restaurants and this makes me the best and worst customer. I can overlook a lot and be happy if you keep my drink filled. We are never in a rush, we are happy to be on vacation. What grinds my gears is lazy service - letting used glasses and dishes pile up so there is no room for the next course, not asking to refresh (alcoholic) drink, etc.
What drives me bats in the BVI is the “service fee” is it a tip or not? When asked, I was told it was a standard fee that all restaurants charge. Why not set your prices to cover the cost of doing business plus your mark up? We had a situation in February where we had four meals and tipped 20% cash on top of the bill plus the 15% fee. The last night, the owner cursed at us, threw a plate at one person in our party and slammed the dishes on the table. Please post the name of the place where this happened. I want to make sure I never spend a dime there!
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Re: Worst dining experiences..
[Re: Manpot]
#285685
07/05/2022 05:17 PM
07/05/2022 05:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 259 42.99N 76.46W
jmon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 259
42.99N 76.46W
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I get what you're saying - I just hate to see this site go negative like so much else in the world. I mean I remember going to places like Foxie's and Anegada Reefs Hotel where there was a spiral notebook on the bar. You would find a fresh page and write your boat name on the top. Boaters then mixed their own drinks and recorded them in the notebook. At dinnertime, you came back and settled up. Can't complain about that service!!! Back then there was no fighting over mooring balls either - because we didn't have any to fight over. Today our recourse is to not return to bad places or maybe a private word with the owners. You have been around long enough that I imagine you know who the owners are. The crowds, the pandemic, and people's demanding attitudes are certainly taking a toll on paradise.
Last edited by jmon; 07/05/2022 05:28 PM.
Jeff Tug William B
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