October 18, 2007 Issue

It may be inevitable, but the fact is I’ve become a living breathing geezer in the last few months. By geezer I mean someone who longs for a simpler time and remembers when people charged for a service and expected nothing other than to be paid.

Somehow we have become a society expected to provide a tip for everything. The breaking point for me came when I went through a drive through to get a cup of overpriced coffee (OK, I really like it, but still it’s way too expensive) and saw a tip jar out on the ledge. Hello. I drove through and even if I was inside, I would walk to the counter where the person who was there would do the job they are paid to do and produce for me a cup of coffee. Since when am I expected to augment the income of quick serve establishments? No extra service is given. It’s not like I can stroll in, take a seat and be served.

So the new geezer me is declaring a moratorium on tipping, except in restaurants where servers are paid very little. Even in restaurants though, I’ve stopped tipping on the total, which includes the tax. I tip on the food total. This is no small thing. Recently I had a nice dinner with a friend in Seaside, where there is an extra tax for entertainment and another extra tax imposed by Walton County for trash service, bringing the total taxable amount to 8 percent. We had a nice dinner and the total tax on the meal was $8. At my usual 20 percent, this would include another $1.60, which is madness. I’m not cheap, but I’m not stupid either.

People working in fast food places at least receive minimum wage. I know it’s not easy to live on minimum wage, but many, if not most of the employees are students. I resent being expected to compensate them further.

You find the tip jars at ice cream joints, sandwich shops, and other places where the customer walks up to a counter and places the order. Just what has been done to deserve a tip? Say, hey thanks for not spitting on my sandwich, here’s a buck.

I don’t tip the guy who changes my oil (a nasty job) or rotates my tires, dry cleans my clothes, resoles my shoes, or any of the other countless “services” we pay for daily. The price is the price. Do we tip the nice person who helps you find the item you seek in Target or a
department store or the grocery store? I don’t think so. Enough already.

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It’s that time of year again when many local establishments are honored for being named best in a reader’s poll by Emerald Coast Magazine. Each year I look forward to seeing which of our good customers and friends have been recognized.

This year, Pepito’s wins for best Mexican food, an honor truly deserved. When I lived in Destin, I was there once a week, now I try to go whenever I’m there. Last year they won for best margarita and again, I concur.

The lovely Zampieri’s was recognized for best locally owned restaurant and CafÈ Provence for best French restaurant. True in both cases, as is the designation of A.J.’s as best outdoor bar. Outdoor dining honors went to The Crab Trap and Johnny O’Quigley’s was singled out as the best sports bar. If you’re looking for a bar with a dancing beat, join the throngs at John Wehner’s Village Door.

Osaka Sushi Rocks in Baytowne Wharf won for best Asian restaurant, and perpetual winner Harbor Docks again took home the blue ribbon for sushi, thanks to the wonderful Yoshi Eddings and her magic fingers.

Shoppers decided The Closet Swap was the hottest consignment shop around, while Destin Commons offered the best overall shopping experience. The Zoo Gallery, a place jam packed with interesting items was named best for gift shopping, and those in the market for eyewear decided The Eye Galley was the cat’s(eye) meow.

All winners will be feted on Oct. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Baytowne Wharf. I don’t know the details, as no press release came my way, but the magazine’s website said more info can be had by calling 837-8440 and the event will raise money for the Destin YMCA. Congrats to all of them and especially to all of the businesses who do business with us.

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