Is it the Economy, or are Canadians using crisis as as excuse for frugality?

It has been a while since the economic meltdown happened in the United States (and other less fiscally responsible countries). I think it has been proven that our banking and lending systems in Canada are sound, and having real criteria to be met for credit is a good method. We are not doing that badly as we come out of the fear-laden days behind us. Jobs are more stable now, interest rates are low, but looking to rise gradually. The real Estate Market is still as strong as ever, but penny pinching has become a habit again as a nation.

I am not advocating anyone living beyond their means, and have always believed in having a safety net of money put aside to cover expenses for the traditional 3 months. What I don't understand is the paradox of paying a lot of money for some goods or services, and nickle and diming others.

I will use fine dining as an example - In a fine dining restaurant you get top quality food, properly prepared by a qualified chef, served to you by a trained and professional server. None of these people were born doing this job. It is not menial work, it is a profession, with skills and experience gained through years of hard work. In many cases, you will not be paying much more to eat at these restaurants than you would at a chain, formula type restaurant using pre-prepared or frozed food, served to you by your local student population earning spending money.

If you value having dining options including fine dining available to you, think about whether it is worh the extra $5 - $10 total to have this experience. Make use of fine dining choices in your area, and repect what has gone into making them the refined and elegant option they are. Make reservations, and honour them - don't just not show up. Be on time. Treat your server like the professional they are - finger snapping, saying "I'll make it easy on you", acting surprised when your professional server tells you about the features saying "how do you remember that dear" - all NOT GOOD.

A word on tipping - servers did not make the custom of tipping, but because of it they do not get paid even minimum wage. There is a special minimum wage for servers that is substanially lower than everyone else. There are no raises available, no cost of living increases, no pay increments for seniority. The only way to increase their income is through tips. Provide better service, get a better tip. Even then, not all of that tip goes to the server. A cut goes to the Maitre'd, another cut to the busboy, another cut to the kitchen. In many cases these cuts are based on sales, not on tips, and can be as high as 5 - 10% of sales. That makes your average 15% tip dwindle to 5 - 10%. If the customer only tips 10%, guess what! The server gets 0 - 5%.

If you got great service from a professional server, tip them accordingly. 15 - 20%

Break the sterotype of Canadians personified in the old joke, "What is the difference between a Canadian and a canoe - a canoe will tip!"