I don't know where you live, but There's lots of people who don't eat red meat. And no, it's not my attitude so don't make comments please, not having been at the situation and suggest it was me. You don't roll your eyes at a customer-period. In non Union customer service employment people would be let go over that.
At the same seating a gentleman at the table across for me asked what the special was. True, they had announced over the PA what the special was before they went around for reservations, but the waitress said more than once, "didn't you hear?" When he asked. She knew what he was asking but thought it funny to not repeat the special.
Amtrak employees in my opinion more often than not are rude, at least on the west coast long distance routes and they wouldn't be in their jobs in customer service positions in other (non Union) businesses.
I've had great service too, but overall it seems to be hit or miss: some exceptionally good and over and. Above and others just really bad.
Regardless, this thread has been about food and tipping and how it can be made better. These are my opinions.
I still will travel by train and I hope Amtrak adds new routes, I will continue to support Amtrak etc. But it's difficult to want to tip 20% of your meal for surly service when you've just spent $$$$ on a bedroom. To me, I generally travel in the deluxe bedroom now and they aren't inexpensive. Compare to any other form of "first class" travel and service levels tend to be different.
Also, as was said one must acknowledge how much they are paid. They are paid not just a living wage but a very good, some would say even upper middle class wage. They don't need the tips to live off of as would be the case in a regular restaurant.
I really don't know what else to say. If the dining car is gone and the prices lowered, as I said before, I think I'll be fine.
The comments about Gordon Ramsey
Coming in are good ones. I just feel they could also benefit from some company like a Disney coming in for some customer service training too. I don't know why it Seems to be really focused on the long distance trains. I take the surf liner weekly and have only once seen an issue on there, and I know it's funded by the State but I believe the employees are still Amtrak.
If you've all not had those experiences, I say good. It can ruin an otherwise nice experience, especially when you're traveling with someone on the train long distance and it's their first time.
I'm with blondninja on nearly all of this. (Also: avoiding red meat is really not at all unusual. Can't we agree to live and let live where food preferences are concerned?)
One difference: I'm unwilling to pay a 20% tip for surly service ANYWHERE, regardless of whether I'm off the train or on it, paying for coach, roomette, or bedroom. Being mindful of the legally allowed minimum-wage evasion with land-based waitstaff, I almost never completely stiff a waiter off the train, but don't hesitate to do so if a dining car attendant is rude.
I wonder if some of the customer service problem on long-distance trains is because most of the customers on those trains aren't "regulars." It's easier to think you can get away with being rude to a customer you think you'll never see again.
For the record: I'm not anti-union, and I'm in a customer-service business myself. Most of my customers are regulars, folks I see almost every week. I'd be out of business if I started rolling my eyes at them. Amtrak, and its union, needs to retrain or weed out the rude employees.
