Father’s response to murders in Laramie
Re: “Tough questions,” June 25 news story.
As a recent graduate of the University of Wyoming, I feel compelled to address Steve Carlson’s vendetta against UW officials. The deaths of Amber Carlson, Adam Towler and Justin Geiger were tragic, gut-wrenching events. I spent years in Laramie and never expected such a thing to occur there. I am sympathetic to the pain the Carlsons, Towlers and Geigers feel as a result of the tragedy on July 16, 2006, and do not blame Mr. Carlson for his anger.
Nevertheless, I strongly object to the manner in which he is handling that anger. In addition to calling for the dismissal of top university officials, Mr. Carlson intends to “warn new students about the dangers on campus during freshman orientation.”
This is entirely inappropriate; if his own daughter, who was close friends with Justin Geiger, did not perceive Mr. Geiger as dangerous, how could university officials possibly have guessed the violence of which Mr. Geiger was capable?
Mr. Carlson states, “There was no communication to anyone concerning Justin’s explosive temper and no cautions advised.” Of course there weren’t. Universities cannot send out bulletins on particular students to their peers warning of an explosive temper and possible danger.
The University of Wyoming has done what it can by modifying its policies. Shelley Towler, whose son was also killed by Justin Geiger, credits the university for working to increase student safety. Rather than work to harm a good school, Mr. Carlson should find more constructive ways to honor his daughter’s memory.
Katie Mellinger, Boulder
How much should you tip your waitress?
Re: “A tip for poor tippers,” June 29 letter to the editor.
Letter-writer Patricia Rankin wrote about being distressed that not everyone tips waitstaff 20 percent of the bill. It’s obvious to me she’s working under a huge misconception that that is the “standard” amount and has made the mistake of counting on it.
While I deplore the insistence of the food industry that customers take up the majority of their waitstaff’s compensation, it is what it is and has been. Yet there are still rules of the game.
I waited tables in the early 1980s, when the top tip was 15 percent. My trainer, a very successful professional waitress, taught me that tips are definitely performance pay handed out by those who receive the service – the customers. Included in her wisdom were the lessons that the waitperson not only must provide timely, cordial and unobtrusive delivery of food and other essentials, but they must also ensure the kitchen did its job. In other words, if the order was wrong or just unappetizing, waitstaff was expected to catch it and insist on better product from the kitchen while keeping the customer happy in the meantime.
That was the nature of the game and how top tips were earned. I don’t see a lot of that in today’s dining experience, although there are stellar exceptions in some of the humblest places. That could be why tipping is toppling.
Kathy Robinson, Arvada
…
In her effort to “educate” those who dine out, Patricia Rankin says: “If the service you are receiving is bad … don’t stiff the waitperson.” Excuse me? When did a tip cease to be anything but a gratuity based on quality of service?
Unfortunately, restaurant service is frequently not worth 20 percent of the bill. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, it isn’t even worth 10 percent, in which case that so-called “total dining experience” is nonexistent. Small wonder business is booming at the self-serve buffets where service and tips aren’t an issue.
The comment repeated ad nauseam of staying home if you can’t afford a 20 percent tip can be looked at from another angle: Your financial problems aren’t the customer’s responsibility. If you can’t afford to work for the wages you receive, or if you were lied to about how much you would make in tips, perhaps you should either take it up with the management or look for another job.
S.J. Curtis, Centennial
…
I tip well even when service is less than I expect and more when service is excellent. However, I resent subsidizing profits for restaurant owners on the backs of their employees. I can’t believe that people have to work for $3.83 an hour without benefits and have to rely on the public’s generosity.
Emma Harteis, Aurora
In defense of PrideFest and gay, lesbian rights
Letter-writers Milo and Susan Tedstrom (June 27 Open Forum) wrote, regarding last month’s PrideFest at Civic Center:
“We … were shocked at the disgusting, almost obscene behavior of many of the persons attending the PrideFest event. If this is an example of the gay community, we are strongly opposed to any support of gay/lesbian rights.”
This is a great example of why the minority needs to be protected from the majority. They seem to think awfully high of themselves, withholding gay rights from us. I was at the PrideFest, and I didn’t see one bit of obscene behavior. What, two men holding hands is obscene? I saw many families with children, and in some cases even grandparents, who were there to support their grandchildren. There was an interesting mix of people, from all walks of life. Gay people come from all backgrounds.
Over two days, between 100,000 and 200,000 people attended PrideFest, and Denver hosts one of the largest in the nation. It’s too bad the only letter to the editor regarding this event was so negative. Maybe next time The Denver Post will have more fair and balanced coverage, rather than a short article in last Monday’s paper on page 2B.
Jim Cookson, Denver
To send a letter
E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, 80202
Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 200 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.
To reach us by phone: 303-954-1331
