Mr. Manners...rude Bellagio waitress shakes down tourists for tips! Poor Etiquette!

An incident at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino yesterday afternoon prompted me to enlist the aid of Mr. Manners to pen an essay on proper etiquette when it comes to tipping in glitzy Las Vegas (or elsewhere for that matter).

Normally, when a patron gambles on the Casino floor - at the slots or at a gaming table - cocktails, soft drinks, water, even beer - are on the house.

The "lubricating" drinks are not only geared to elevate a guest into a happy-go-lucky mood - but also - offered up with the hope that the gambler may be more inclined to part with a bit of cash in favor of the cashier's gate, too.

Just try to secure a drinkie-pooh from a tired old cocktail waitress if it appears you are not a whale about to drop a truckload of cash at the tables - or at a minimum - fritter away a fistful of bucks on the one-armed bandit scattered about the dazzling premises.

In view of the foregoing, I have a tipping structure that I follow - whenever I zip into my favorite Casino - to plug a handful of coins into the inviting 3-D slots strategically-placed about the floor of the Hotel environs.

If the waitress delivers up a lone beer - or a glass of quality white wine - I usually tip a buck (provided I haven't been forced to wait a half-an-hour-or-so to quench my thirst once I have stepped inside the establishment to take a respite from the sizzling-hot afternoon desert sun).

If I ordered an exotic cocktail, the stages get higher, and I generally toss at least two dollar bills on the tray (with a smile and a thank you very much).

But, when it comes to soft drinks or regular water, I usually pass on a tip for good reason.

For example, if I sit at the slots for a couple of hours - and consume four or five cokes - I'll end up frittering away a fiver at least.

In these tough economic times?

No way, Jose!

Especially if the handful of sodas (?) consist mostly of packed ice, water, and a dollop of syrup.

Yup!

What they offer up at Bellagio (and elsewhere on the glitzy Vegas strip)  is not even real coke, folks!

Judging by the response I get from a large percentage of the waitresses on duty, my tip structure is acceptable, because it is reasonable and practical (bottom line).

In fact, more often-than-not, a server is inclined to respond to my take on tipping in a respectful manner.

"If you need anything else, just wave me down," they usually stress with sincerity in their voice.

So, you can imagine how surprised I was yesterday afternoon when an uncouth waitress proceeded to linger at my side (after she plunked the coke down) in a diabolical bold-faced effort to intimidate - and ultimately - coerce some moolah out of me.

Sheesh!

What gall.

As a rule, a well-brought-up waitress -with a modicum of good manners - usually cruises up, slips soda down, then drifts off in the event coin of the realm is not offered up.

No big deal for someone with class!  
In contrast, the shocking behaviour of the hag at the Bellagio - was not only inappropriate - but underscored poor breeding and a total lack of etiquette.

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz

BP...Tony Hayward faces axe? Plaintiffs seek lift on oil drill ban!

Sources are whispering that Tony Hayward - possibly one of the most-hated men in America - may be given the BP boot.

In every scandal, there always has to be a fall guy, and it is doubtful that the BP Chairman - in spite of his thoughts on the "small people" in the Gulf - will "go down" to appease irrate Americans who are still out for blood.

How appropriate on the eve of the Twilight Vampire thriller "Eclipse."

Meanwhile a dispute among the "partners" has been brewing.

One investor vowed yesterday that cash for damages wasn't going to be forthcoming from their coiffers.

'Ya think so?

According to an insider, contract agreements are replete with provisions that stipulate all partners  share  in costs that may arise from unexpected catastrophes due to malfunctioning equipment such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico.

Although the media has "cooled" down a mite - in the aftermath - BP is still in a troubling dilemma.

BP has been quite vocal about the fact the company has spent $2 billion fighting the spill for the last two months and compensating victims (with no end in sight).

Experts in the field note that - realistically - it won't be until August before crews finish two relief wells that are the best chance of stopping the flow of oil.

The owner of the drill rig, criticized the U.S. government's six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the area, in the wake of a court hearing this week.

Judge Martin Feldman  - presiding over the proceedings in New Orleans - informed lawyers that he would issue a directive by Wednesday in respect to the current ban imposed by President Obama and the administration.

The plaintiff's argued that the six-month suspension of oil drilling would end up being a double whammy because the moratorium in-of-itself would be economically devastating.

Government lawyers inferred that President Obama jumped-the-gun when he imposed the ban.

"The risks of deepwater drilling and ways to make the drilling safer need to be more fully explored," legal counsel summed up.

And so, the battle rages  on all fronts!

News at 11!

 

http://www.julianayrs.com/

McDonalds...Vegas outlet angers customers with whopping $9.95 WiFi access fee!

A handful of patrons were a little startled when they picked up their morning breakfast at the counter at McDonalds and proceeded to flip open their laptops to check their e-mail.

Instead of encountering that familiar map of the Unites States - with McDonalds WiFi locations blinking about it onscreen - a rude log-on page popped up demanding money for access!

Over the past few months, depending on the franchise, WiFi was either offered with a direct access capability for free or offered up to customers on a coupon basis (which required a purchase with no minimum required).

Then, in January, McDonalds announced that WiFi would be free Nationwide (no coupon required).

In spite of this turn of events - and a boost in business at the fast-food take-out - the McDonalds outlet on Las Vegas Boulevard (next to Circus Circus and across from the Sahara Hotel) surprised regulars and tourists alike when they programmed their WiFi service this past week to drum up a log-in page (referred to as Guest Access) that required a flat fee of $9.95 a day to browse on the Internet.

In this scenario - tourists, business men on-the-go, and locals - would end up paying an astronomical sum for WiFi access each month whenever they chose to use the service sporadically.

When you consider that AT&T has a monthly fee of  $19.95 for unlimited access, the McDonalds fee structure is outrageous.

Talk about greed!

I predict there will be a big drop-off in business - at that location for sure - because consumers are mad as hell (and they're not going to take it anymore).

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Bank of the West...excessive feesl Rude insulting staff! Consumers in need ripped-off...

In recent months, the banks have belly-ached about being in financial straits, selfishly grabbed for hand-outs from the Government at the expense of the American tax-payer, then continued on their merry way with their excessive perks, disheartening disregard for financially-strapped account-holders, and shameless bold-faced ploys (which amount to embezzlement of funds) to pad their profit-margins by bilking millions of consumers out of their cold hard cash by virtue of excessive bank fees that border on the criminal.

"Bank of the West" is the worst offender when it comes to this kind of highway robbery!

The Bank (with no heart to speak of) is a greedy corporate giant manned by staff who are not only rude and insulting but totally devoid of any compassion or understanding.

In fact, their reprehensible conduct should never be tolerated in a civilized society.

For example, when a customer strode into a local branch to sort out excessive bank charges, the manager not only failed to lend a sympathetic ear to the account-holder (who had never questioned their fee structures in the past) but proceeded to talk down to the upset individual.

"You need to take responsibility for your finances and monitor your accounts regularly on the checking line," he pompously lashed out at the account-holder who sat there in total disbelief.

Rather than work with their client - whose financial obligations had always been met over the course of the past year when most struggled to do the same - the manager was inclined to smugly insult the client rather than budge a little and work in a cooperative spirit in respect to sorting out the excessive surcharges which were dinged on the account.

At one point, when the individual noted they intended to file a complaint with the President of the Bank, the manager relented a little and agreed to give a $35.00 credit back, but was adamant that he would not comply with the request to credit back two $35.00 fees (totalling $70.00).

When the miffed client noted he intended to file a complaint with the White House and request an investigation of excessive fees at Bank of the West, the manager tried to coerce the customer into foregoing on filing the complaint by subtly inferring he'd retaliate.

For instance, at this juncture, he pointedly asked (with a slightly-raised eyebrow) if the account-holder  wanted the $35.00 credit offered or not.

Since he had already promised the credit twice during the course of the ongoing conversation, clearly, he was subtly inferring that if the customer filed the complaint (as promised) he would not issue the $35.00 credit.

What low disgusting unprofessional conduct!

It was obvious to me, as I witnessed the events, that the Bank employee was a real snake!

When that attempt at coercion failed, he snottily responded from out of left field.

"The White House is already investigating bank fees."

So, there!

Talk about petty.

By the way, in addition to the illegal $35.00 fees imposed on the account, the bank began to charge the customer a $5.00 fee for an overdraft which occurred due to the charges they billed the account without legal notice or fair warning.

Is there no end to their larceny?

The Bank Manager's conduct persisted after that.

At the request of the account-holder, he scribbled down his name - but did so in an illegible script - so that it was difficult to determine the exact spelling of his last name.

In addition, he refused to locate the name and address of the President of Bank of the West.

Does this sound like the kind of conduct that an up-front bank employee engages in?

I think not!

Clearly, Mr. Howerton (?) at the Beverly Hills branch (9401 Wilshire) was keenly aware that his unprofessional mean-spirited conduct was highly irregular and inappropriate.

Subsequently, he was trying to hide his identity to avoid recrimination from his superiors (and prevent his true legal name from being posted on the Internet in this consumer alert).

In closing, it should also be noted that Bank of the West also engages in other deceptive and dishonest business behaviour.

On the customer service hotline, operators often promise credits to customers, which fail to materialzie in their actual bank account.

In retrospect, it's obvious that the promise is just a clever ploy to get disgruntled customers off the line, so they can move on to the next unhappy customer waiting with similar complaints of embezzelement, unethical banking procedures, violtations of the rights of bank customers, and so forth and so on.

At a time when Banks are failing, and their integrity is placed in doubt, Bank of the West is obviously one financial institution that should be avoided like the plague (even if they do entice you with a cheap teddy bear purchased at the 99 cent store to open an account).

After all, they'll simply raid the account (embezzle funds) until the customer gets fed up and closes the account in disgust.

Bank of the West, is more aptly titled, Bank of the Worst.

Those slimy worms at the Beverly Hills branch can take credit for the appropriate moniker folks!

Bank of West rip-offs U.S. account-holders!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Footnote

*Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BancWest Corporation

*BancWest is wholly owned by the French Universal Bank

*Yes, folks, the Frenchies are sticking it to the Yankees!

Subway take-out...toast surcharge outrageous!

Michael, don't Bogart that!

Whenever my body aches for something healthy and nutritious, I head for the Subway fast-food outlet, and spring for a Veggie lite sub.

Not a big meat-eater, I prefer to munch on a honey oat sandwich packed with lettuce, American Cheese slices (pass on the Swiss, after all, 'ya get less cheese what with the holes 'n all), tomatoes, cucumbers, onions (provided it's not date night), green pepper, pickles, and a few shavings of avocado (fattening, yes, but it packs a wallop in the protein department), and topped with a dash of pepper and Honey Mustard.

Was it my imagination, or were there a posse of students from UCLA snapping up the footlongs that studly spokesperson - Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps - has been pushing lately?

For some inexplicable reason, when the server asked if I'd like the sandwich toasted (on the heels of slapping the ultra-thin cheese slices - cheap basta**s - on the fresh tasty bread, I enthusiastically piped up "yes".

Normally, I passed.

The pretty little gal opened an over door just over her shoulder, plopped in the sandwich she was in the throes of building, and waited a second or two.

In a jiffy, she flipped it back out onto the counter, then wrapped up the fully-loaded sub tailored precisely for me.

The cashier rang up the charges, but the total was not a pleasing one to my ears.

Because I am inclined by habit to snack on the same offering each week - over time it has become an easy task to rattle off the price in my own mind - since the cost of the snack only went up once (by about thirty cents) since the beginning of the year.

Imagine my surprise when the employee rang up a charge that was fifty cents higher than usual.

"Did the prices go up," I innocently asked, to ensure there wasn't any error and that I wasn't being ripped off by an inexperienced staffer new on the job.

"You had the sub toasted, didn't you?"

My jaw just about fell to the floor.

The subway fast-food outlet was tacking on a surcharge of fifty cents to flip the sandwich into an open oven for a second or two?

Gosh, who knew that a wrist flip - and a few waves of heat - were such an expensive commodity, 'til now.

As politely as possible, I informed the cashier I'd pass on the toasting option, next visit.

Provided I return, that is.

I may be hungry for a sub now and then, but I'm also nobody's fool!

Hold the toast, please!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...down on homeless! Nope, no compassion, just greed...

I was sipping a cup of piping-hot tea @ the Starbucks WeHo/24 Hour Fitness outlet when one of the barristas strolled over with a purpose and started to arrange four big leather easy-chairs in a "nook-like" setting.

I smiled.

"Cozy," I chuckled.

The pretty mid-twenties employee noted in a firm (but condescending tone of voice) that the Starbucks strategy was to psychologically "steer" guests who sauntered in the front door in the direction of the front counter & cashier so they wouldn't take a side route straight to the restroom.

I pointed out at this juncture that some patrons may have to relieve themselves.

So, of course, it was not only logical - but practical - that they may be inclined to head to the water closet first (limey term for head).

After all, what if they - as a Valley-girl might say:

"Like, really have-ta go".

A latte or specially-ordered cup of java takes a few seconds to conjure up - which means (perhaps tragically in some instances) that the poor soul have to cross their legs (and pray!) while they wait for the tasty beverage to appear at the take-out.

Then, after selecting a table and plunking down the Starbucks goodies, there would be a trot across the trendy cafe to the "John".

In that event, the beverage would have cooled off considerably by the time the patron was ready to stretch back and toss it back!

Of course, these youngsters aren't bright enough to figure that one out for themselves.

The neatly-attired personnel at Starbucks are trained to just Sell! Sell! Sell!

And now - exhibit their skills at giving a hefty heave-ho to the homeless - when they haplessly wander through the "unwelcome" door.

"They smell," she sniped - with what I thought for one sliver of a second was a pointed nod in my direction - as she moved on to carry out the rest of her perfunctory duties.

At this juncture, I surreptitiously sniffed my own "pits" (when no one was glancing in my direction) and did the old hand-cup gesture at my mouth (breathing out slowly) to verify my breath was not a dragon Meister, either.

In the final analysis?

No wonder the logo for the Seattle-based giant has become the symbol of greed!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Arco...dinging drivers at ATM! The greedy bast**ds...

The needle was inching to the empty mark, so I roared off the highway and zoomed up to the nearest pump.

The nasty problem you encounter when you're miles outside of the Los Angeles area?

Gas prices are a tad higher 'cause they know they've got you by the short & curlies.

The alternative?

Go bust in the middle of the desert and let the buzzards get 'ya!

So, in spite of the fact the price per gallon was just a few cents higher than black gold in WeHo, I strode up to the pump, swiped my ATM card, and was ready to do the damage to my checking account.

Whoa nellie!

What did the dialogue box just blurt out as I stood in the sweltering afternoon sun?

Better grab my specs, pronto, and scrutinize that fine print!

Holy Moly!

Arco informed me - dryly, matter-of-fact - that to use the ATM (debit or credit) they were going to ding me a whopping 59 cent surcharge for the use of my plastic at their smelly old gas pump.

No, that's not okey-dokey.

I strode inside, slapped ten bucks on the counter, and decided to fill 'er up at the next station.

Sorry, Arco, I don't support greed!

Oh, and have a nice day, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Starbucks...glum faces on staff and no Christmas Spirit! Bah Humbug...

Lately, when I've strolled into Starbucks in West Hollywood, the experience has been a real bummer.

Maybe the night staff are just burnt out, who knows.

Customers have not only been encountering glum faces, but tend to be left waiting in line 'til self-absorbed disorganized staff get their butts in gear.

Normally, Starbucks employs pleasant out-going personnel, who provide service with a smile.

Now-a-days, their baristas are of the low-energy kind that man the counters at a handful of those other mediocre cafe outlets 'round town.

Notwithstanding, there is little holiday cheer inside the doors to write home about.

The only X-mas decorations I spied were those sprucing up products sprinkled about here and there in unimaginative displays on lacklustre shelves.

Yes, some things never change.

The Seattle-based coffee giant continues in their efforts to foist a myriad of goods on consumers (that they don't want or need) when they stride through the sterile doors.

No X-Mas tree. No twinkling lights.

And, nary a strain of a Christmas Carol overhead, aimed at lulling patrons into the warmth and joy of a pervasive holiday spirit which is evident elsewhere around the thriving metropolis.

Starbucks is being relegated to a lower status among coffee-lovers as a result.

Today, many patrons just slip in to check e-mail on the laptop, snap up a quick coffee on-the-go, then head off to cheerier climbs where the meaning of cozy hospitality is alive and well.

Uh-huh.

Starbucks is no longer a destination place to hook up with friends and while away an hour or two of good-natured fun.

If you ask me, Scrooge has hit Starbucks big time.

Bah Humbug!

Christmas Shopping ideas

http://www.julianayrs.com

Money...quote!

Money doesn't talk - it screams!

Julian Ayrs
The Daily Planet
Collection of Poems