THE GOOD

[mare]

I know this will fill up pretty soon with all of our favorites and not so favorites. I'm wondering if others remember to tip HEAVY for the good. In general I don't like to eat at truck stops and having an expediter straight truck we can get in some places that are difficult for you big guys to go to. We do have to shower and when I thought about it, that really is (IMHO) a nasty job, to clean up after everyone. Am I the only one that considers this a far dirtier job than waitressing and bussing tables?? What we do if the shower is clean is to leave the tip that the waitress would have received had we eaten there. Now of course if the shower is awful, no tip.
On the other hand, the places that we do eat, the tip is adjusted according to the service. We're probably not the only ones out there thinking that it's real hard to get good service these days.
When I was young, I waitressed in a truck stop and the drivers were far better tippers than John Q Public. Hope it's still that way today, and don't forget the shower room people!!

[Jimbo]

I do remember the shower people, though not quite as much as the food servers. The person in the shower area cleaning up, is being paid more per hour than a waitress. The boss considers tips part of their salary, where the shower cleaning is paid not considering tips. I do leave a buck of two in the shower, if it was good and clean when we got there.

Better still, I clean the shower myself a little when I am done, making the cleaner's job easier. I have a ton of hair, and the drain shows it when I am done. I always clean the drain, and wipe the sink down before I leave. I even had one woman in Maryland chase me down and thank me for leaving the bathroom so clean.

When I eat in the restaurant, I tip 20%. If the service is half of what I feel it should have been, they get half of a tip. A nasty person, with a bad attitude gets a 13 cent tip. That shows them that I am not some jerk who doesn't tip, just a customer who wasn't happy with the service. The big exception to the rule is when I see one waitress taking care of too many tables. She gets a good tip, because it's not her fault that she is doing 2 people's work. As long as the waitress is hustling, and not in a huddle with the other waitresses, while I am trying to get her attention, I treat them fairly.

I will admit though that I knock the tip down a little if I eat at the buffet. Since I am doing the serving, I don't feel the need to give as big of a tip. I figure out 12%, and round up to the next dollar.

[Lonleyboy515]

I normaly do not eat at truck stops .I like to park there & walk to a restraunt close by .I like the "APPLEBEES" chain love those steaks every now & then, also "BOB EVANS" for breakfast.There prices are fair for what you get. Now for tipping 20% for good service &10% for poor or slow service.I fuel mostly at PILOT they have good clean showers most of time. Truck stop eating PETRO if theres one around.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[nitestar]

We don't eat at as many TS as we used to. Since the loads we haul require constant survailance we usually don't go in. We will stop and get Popeyes chicken and a couple of sides while I fuel or Arbys.
We carry food in the truck. The better half can whip up a meal with little or nothing to work with. She is great.
When we do eat at a TS we tip according to sevice.
I look at the buffet and if it is appealing I eat it but seldon is the food appetizing on the buffett.
Petro has the best Buffett of the major chains and a bit more to choose from.
I find if I don't eat on the buffett I eat better and I feel better. I tend to over do it off the buffett. I am not fat and don't want to get that way.
I usually do the J because I only fuel at the J so I use the points card to eat .
If we have time We rent a car and do a bit of touring, ( like the nearest Curcuit city or Wal mart) and I especially like Applebees and the bourbon street steak .
It is hard to maintain a normal life driving a truck. Rental cars are a real escape from the confines of the truck. We get a motel in certain areas and see the sights.
Heck sometimes to do a change of pace we check out new cars. Love the new corvette, no key needed and way cool.
We feel a change of pace and scenery is better than a vitaimin sometimes.
refreshing and invigerating.
But is is always the best to pull into the drive way at home.
Comming home means that all went well and we are still safe.