Automatic Gratuity?

A few days ago, while traveling through the Miami Airport, I encountered something very interesting in terms of a dining experience and a lesson in the English language. Take a close look at the following bill for lunch:

Automatic gratuity of 18%.

That’s right, they automatically included an 18% gratuity. If you read the note at the end, you see that if you want it taken off, “please ask for one of our managers.” I appreciate the restaurant doing the math for me. That’s a convenience. However, AUTOMATICALLY including a gratuity on my bill? DON’T YOU DARE. And do NOT FORCE me to ask for a manager to change it. This is slimy behavior. I’ve seen calculations for various tipping levels on the bottom of checks, but NEVER was it automatically included. THIS IS BOVINE FECES. Don’t play games, guilt trips, and other nonsense. Grow up and run your business properly. A gratuity is NOT automatic. It’s something considered and then applied. Corrupt your morals if you like but stay away from my language. Thank you.

Published in: on August 2, 2012 at 2:19 pm  Comments (2)  
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14 Bis, Aruba Airport

14 Bis (don’t ask me how this name came to be) is a new restaurant located at the Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba. As you can see from the sign below, they’re open all day, serving all three meals.

It is situated between the American departure hall and the arrivals hall. Therefore, if you wanted to check in for your flight and then have a snack, it’s on your way. Let’s take a look inside.

There’s plenty of seating, which will come in handy given the surge of people that arrive for each flight. Let’s take a look at the food.

You have a lineup of sandwiches and wraps. Take your pick. Then there’s panini and the like made to order, plus fresh fruit and baked goods, giving you the opportunity to refuel on something better than your average airport chow.

Looks like quality preparation and presentation here. Given that the food on airlines is quite skimpy these days, it’s a relief to have an alternative like this to enjoy prior to entering the sequestered area of the airport. You can finish your meal in comfortable surroundings and make better use of your time on the plane. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the flight.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on August 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Airport Chow, Madrid

Typical airport food can be awful. I don’t know, maybe it’s the security x-ray machine that ruins it. However, I must say that at the end of my recent journey through Spain, I found decent eats at the Madrid airpot. This was outside the secure area, but still in the terminal. I returned the rental car, went inside, and there was a cafeteria-style operation. They had pre-made sandwiches, salads, and even champagne. Opting for one of each, here’s how it turned out.

Despite being pre-assembled, those sandwiches were darn good. The salad was all fresh ingredients and tasty. The champagne, well, what better way to celebrate an awesome venture through a foreign land than popping the cork on a bottle of bubbly? So, it’s all good, especially when you go looking for it, even in the airport food court. Enjoy the journey.

Published in: on October 4, 2010 at 1:41 pm  Leave a Comment  
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