Plan B Forum

The future is here and I'm just a little nervous about it:

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Tablet computers take wait out of waiting tables

Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

Who needs service with a smile?

Not 26-year-old Ivan Tsurikov. "I actually dread human interaction of any kind," he said.

That's why Tsurikov, who works for a small investment firm on the Peninsula, prefers to order his lunch from a computer rather than a server. This week he and two friends tried the Presto tablet, a computer smaller than an iPad and larger than a smart phone, at Calafia Cafe in Palo Alto.

The Presto takes orders, predicts when diners' food will arrive at their table, acts as a personal sommelier, provides self-checkout, splits checks and even calculates the tip. It will either e-mail the receipt or a server can bring a paper one - your choice.

Eventually, it will tell diners what kinds of wines they like based on a personality quiz. And there are games: interactive ones that the whole table can participate in or ones that will keep a child busy for hours.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... z1jST9dudL
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http://elacarte.com/

yrs,
rubato

A new set of "AAA's"?

Edited to add: When I leave a tip in a restuarnt it is usually about 20%

I will not tip for bad or indifferent service.

I was a room service waiter in San Diego while attending school. I did a d@mn good job. I lived off my tips and was able to bank my salary. I know restaurant work is hard and dealing with assorted a-holes is part of the job. If one is not able to offer superior service, find another line of work.

dales wrote:A new set of "AAA's"?

Edited to add: When I leave a tip in a restuarnt it is usually about 20%
... "

What are "AAAs"?

My baseline tip is 20%, too.

yrs,
rubato

The thing is to tip a human being, right?

If the tablet is doing all the work, then what are you tipping for?

I tip very well for good service, having once waited tables I truly appreciate what a grind it can be.

I can think of plenty of places where a tablet would be an improvement, but most often in my small town, the interaction with waitstaff is one of the nice aspects of dining out.

As to tipping the tablet; I'd bring along a screenwipe and clear off my fingerprints.

Why isn't there a poll option for "I don't tip machines"?

The nearest option is "Cut 100% I only tip for fawning subservience" Which is just Pop's way of calling non-tippers arseholes...

rubato wrote:

dales wrote:A new set of "AAA's"?

Edited to add: When I leave a tip in a restuarnt it is usually about 20%
... "

What are "AAAs"?

My baseline tip is 20%, too.

yrs,
rubato

Batteries.

Sean wrote:Why isn't there a poll option for "I don't tip machines"?

The nearest option is "Cut 100% I only tip for fawning subservience" Which is just Pop's way of calling non-tippers arseholes...

Someone still brings the food and drinks to your table.

yrs,
rubato

Like I still tip at a buffet, I'd probably still tip for this -- although I'd probably not go over 20% because part of the service is hearing about the food, making suggestions about combinations of food and wine, etc. etc. It's not sucking up, its doing a good job.

I presume that once the order is placed, a human bring the drinks and food to the table, follows up, refills drinks, and so forth. A human still has to bus the table.

I like it. Less chance of an error in the order. The waiter/ess doesn't have to contend with assholes asking stupid questions and changing their tiny little minds.

I would tip the same (1/7, plus or minus).