If you had dinner and if you had the choice, would you give a service or a donation ? Why ? Why not ?

Question

Hi !

I'm french and I have to write about it a maximum of 130 words. The text must be very well prepared is very literary.

Is what someone could help me ?

I think that English or American could answer that question (130 words) in a few minutes while I can't...

Thank you !

Answer 1

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by 'service' or 'donation' in this context.

Are you asking if I went out to dinner, would I leave someone a tip? (un pourboire)

No I wouldn't. Around these parts, leaving someone a tip can get you walloped if you're not careful, lol!

Apparently it has started to become more acceptable to give tips in the city but here, in the bush, it's still a pretty huge no-no.

It is okay to tell people "Thanks mate, don't worry about the change" when you're paying a bill but, out here, to leave someone an actual tip would be seen as you being incredibly patronising, arrogant and demeaning. It would be akin to saying that you consider yourself to be better than the other person, the person you're tipping. And up here, that is an absolute no-no!!!

(We expect people to be paid a decent wage regardless of who they are or what they do; hence there's also a feeling that giving tips to people merely absolves employers of their responsibility to pay their staff a proper, living wage in the first place)



A-ha! Are you trying to ask if, having been invited to someone else's house for tea (here, dinner = lunch and tea = dinner, lol!) I would offer them a hand with the clearing up or the washing up etc?? Probably not (unless they were family), most people I know'd be insulted by an offer of help  from someone they had invited me into their home as their guest. Pretty much the only 'donation' I'd feel comfortable about making would be for me to bring the beers.

Answer 2

Salut! Je suis Americaine.

But I am learning French

I can help you with English if you help me with French.

e-mail [e-mail]

Answer 3

I have given the hostess a small gift or brought a dish or bottle of wine in the past. I usually only attend very informal gatherings where etiquette is not strict. We're very casual here. When in doubt, you can ask the host or hostess if they would like you to bring something. You may also ask if they'd like help in the kitchen. Usually they will say, "No". On occasion, I have helped clean up. Either are considered polite among close friends or family. If the dinner is more formal, or you are not familiar with the people you are dining with, you can bring a gift and should not offer to help clean up. You can also skip the gift all together.

  If you are making reference to tipping for a service: In the states we tip for nearly everything. 15% is adaquate, but 20% or more for excellent service is expected.