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spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

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.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

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?

PeterBar · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde

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.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

I'd say waiting tables is the better option, dude. Go for it!

theweather · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 7

All the Irish/English/Scottish and even Canadian pubs are predominately staffed by native English speakers.

Deicide · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

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.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Czechs don't tip. But them millions of foreigners might.... Wink

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:

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!

Deicide · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject:

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:27 am Post subject:

I can only wonder how many Spiral killed to be there too?! Wink

Deicide · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:39 am Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Acid pen? Acid tongue? Twisted Evil

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) Shocked