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Hot2GlobeTrot
Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Calgary, Canada
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
We're obviously not waiters. The forum's for ESL/EFL teachers.
I can tell you what my friends in the restaurant business in Europe say, but they're not specifically in Paris.
What they say: 1. the job is fundamentally different to waiting tables in North America, because people generally STAY in the job long-term. Far less turn-over, fewer chances a foreigner with accented French will walk into a job in any case.
2. tips amount to very little
Really, I think the regulars on this forum have probably done all we can on this question.
Now, your turn, hot2trot. When exactly are you coming over? We will be EXTREMELY interested in what you find in general as you get started in Europe. Further, I'm sure your input once you get here will be useful to other newbies. Please do keep us posted. |
and i'm obviously asking this question here on the off chance someone has waited tables/ bar tended in France...trying to get all the info i can to make informed decisions. Whether i can make more private tutoring or by waiting/ bar tending |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:04 am Post subject: |
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No, clearly those of us regularly on the Europe boards can't inform you about waiting tables.
Try both when you get there.
Neither is likely to be particularly lucrative. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:51 am Post subject: |
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Hot2GlobeTrot,
See what happens when you base your beliefs on anecdotal evidence?
Even in many US states, servers are given a "minimum" wage of about $2.50 per hour (exempt from regular minimum wage), as it is expected that they will receive tips, which they are taxed on (another minimum amount). If you don't tip them, they pay out of pocket.
Europe, well, as anyone who has visited Europe can tell you - tips are generally not given. The same is true for a lot of countries, such as Australia.
Canada is one of those rare countries where you actually make a decent amount of money as a waiter.
Also, what do you consider "passable" French? As a FSL speaker myself, I can assure you that the diners of France will not be as enthusiastic towards "passable" French as the Quebecois during casual conversation in Canada.
Have you ever been outside of Canada? |
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PeterBar
Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:07 am Post subject: |
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I have never needed to work as a waiter or barman during my time here, although I have often been on the other side of the 'counter'
And like nearly all of my French friends, I seldom, if ever leave a tip. "It's not wrong, but we just don't do it"
But then, fortunately, living in France is not at all like living in the US or Canada. We have an unmatched savoir faire and a savoir vivre. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:22 am Post subject: |
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I'd say waiting tables is the better option, dude. Go for it! |
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theweather
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 7
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Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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All the Irish/English/Scottish and even Canadian pubs are predominately staffed by native English speakers. |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 1005 Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
We're obviously not waiters. The forum's for ESL/EFL teachers.
I can tell you what my friends in the restaurant business in Europe say, but they're not specifically in Paris.
What they say: 1. the job is fundamentally different to waiting tables in North America, because people generally STAY in the job long-term. Far less turn-over, fewer chances a foreigner with accented French will walk into a job in any case.
2. tips amount to very little
Really, I think the regulars on this forum have probably done all we can on this question.
Now, your turn, hot2trot. When exactly are you coming over? We will be EXTREMELY interested in what you find in general as you get started in Europe. Further, I'm sure your input once you get here will be useful to other newbies. Please do keep us posted. |
Hmm...says the king from his throne... |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Nope, I'm no king. And the 'throne' is really shaky, thanks to the economic crisis. But like most of the regulars here, I haven't yet waited tables in Paris or anywhere else to supplement my living.
What's in the future, well, who knows? But if I'm going to wait tables it'll be in Prague. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:39 am Post subject: |
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I was thinking of the same thing, cause I you know read somewhere that Czechislovakians really dig foreigners and stuff, what with them so thin on the ground there. What is the tipping situation like? Can you give me precise information so I can make an informed decision? And write me in Czechislovakian, coz, like, I'm at level 3 already and wanna see how good I can read and stuff |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Czechs don't tip. But them millions of foreigners might.... |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Czechs don't tip? But that is not what I was told back in my village. And surely they'll reward me handsomely for my multiple passable languages, no? Maybe Paris is better after all. They'll love me and my exotic accent! |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 1005 Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
Nope, I'm no king. And the 'throne' is really shaky, thanks to the economic crisis. But like most of the regulars here, I haven't yet waited tables in Paris or anywhere else to supplement my living.
What's in the future, well, who knows? But if I'm going to wait tables it'll be in Prague. |
More King than I...I am a lowly boot licking pauper. I think I need to start living out my fanatasies in my head 24/7 to escape the misery of my life. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your position? Seriously... |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11061 Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: |
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I can only wonder how many Spiral killed to be there too?! |
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Deicide
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 1005 Location: Caput Imperii Americani
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:39 am Post subject: |
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Sashadroogie wrote: |
I can only wonder how many Spiral killed to be there too?! |
...dissolved in a vat of acid... |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Acid pen? Acid tongue?
Deicide, I thought you didn't want to teach - you don't want my job!
I've got 168 students at this precise moment (joy) |
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