Feeling Safe is Just Good Business

I spent the past weekend with some of my siblings, two of which are currently serving in the ZOF (more commonly referred to by its PC name, the IDF). The weekend was chock full of old school sibling time that even included an afternoon game of RISK. The game was concluded without a single altercation or disagreement between us. This, in my opinion, demonstrates just how much we have all matured. As a gesture alluding to just how much I have matured, I will point out that, while not relevant to todays ramble per se, the two soldier boys, J4 & J5, were the final remaining players in the game and J4 won - thier strategies apparently both superior to that of J1 & J2.

J5, isn't always the most articulate of individuals and tends to voice his opinion sporadically. Over dinner I commented to J5 that his "movie line quoting skills" have been extremely veracious of recent. J5 confirmed my statement and said that he has had too much free time during the weeks in the army as his unit has not done any form of operation lately, hence has had much time to watch a profusion of movies. J5 then stated very matter of factly that "it has not been this quiet in 10 years since Operation Cast Lead". After much badgering by J4 and myself we transliterated his statement into an english sentence that would better represent what he meant and ended up with "Since Operation Cast Lead, it has been quieter than it had been in 10 years".

So - with that introduction, let me get into the substance of today's blabber.

Since probably 1996 or so, a plethora of security companies came into being due to an over increasingly standardized standard of having a security guard at the entrance to all public places (thank you terrorism). I have a lot of random knowledge stored in my head, and somewhere in that mess, I know that in public places of over 5000 FT2 (500 M2) the law states that these establishments must have some form of security guard at the entrance to the building or event (To ensure that events similar to that of last weekend in Ashkelon, do not happen.) This law covers malls, supermarkets, sporting events, hotels, bus stations, movie theaters etc. The law however does not apply to smaller public places such as restaurants, bars, stores etc.

So, why do restaurants and bars put a security guard outside their front door? This law clearly does not apply to them, so no one can say that they are "obligated" to have one. That is not to say that the police don't advise putting a security guard, in fact - they do advise it. Most self respecting restaurants and bars today have some form of security outside their door, but this is of their own resolve and not obligated by law. The raison principale then for said security is a positive CBA (Cost-Benefit Analysis) for the restaurant/bar, and it is no different than adding any other service individual to the staff of the restaurant or bar. They believe that by adding security, they will increase profits.
If a restaurant or bar decides to add another chef, waitress, bartender, security guard, hostess, sommelier, busboy or other service individual in the hope that it will improve the service offered by the restaurant and in turn increase the sales and profits - in the words of an ex-girlfriend of mine - that is their own $#!t. I am all for added service offered by any establishment. I can't remember the last time I complained about a bar or restaurant having "too much service". With that said, if a restaurant decides to add more staff, I just want to experience better food, better service and a better experience. In fact, I am even okay with a raise in prices caused by these additional investments in the business.

I think it was said best in the movie "Tommy Boy" when, despite a myriad of variations throughout the film, Big Tom Callahan said "Of course, I can get a hell of a good look at a T-Bone steak by sticking my head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it." To apply that same quote liberally to this case - I don't want a breakdown of exactly what I am paying for at a restaurant or bar. I just want you to tell me that my total cost is X amount of money for the service and products provided. I do not want to be told that the cost of my meal is calculated as follows:
Vegetables and meat costs are X
+ Labor fees are Y
+ Service fees are Z
+ rent and city taxes are W
+ 20% profit
= and all that together equals the total cost of my meal (Calculated as [X+Y+Z+W]*120% = Total Cost)
Just give me the total price you want me to pay for all of the services rendered and I will make my own decision as to whether or not your total service package is worth the price.

Restaurants and Bars have brought with the offered security another accepted practice of separating the cost for the security offered from the rest of the bill and charging me for it separately. This "accepted" practice is not acceptable at all in my eyes. I truly believe that this service of security, if offered, should be included in the total cost and not left to my knowledge of the direct cost or discretion as to whether I want to pay for it. I made a decision to go to an establishment that offers this specific service and so I will pay for the services offered. Do I have the option of saying "Please deduct the cost of serving and washing my glass from the total bill, as I will drink straight from the bottle"? No. So don't give me an option here either. I am more than willing to pay for the service, I just don't want the breakdown - let me enjoy my T-Bone, without the gory details.

I have recently incorporated an accountant into my gaggle of friends - this friend may or may not be a lazy man, and he may or may not be unemployed, but that is irrelevant, The point is - he does not like working when he is off the clock. So, if a restaurant or bar is too lazy to calculate the total cost of all services offered, then let them tell me that and I will deduct the cost of keeping my accountant on retainer into the amount I pay the restaurant or bar for the services provided to me.

I did a little research and discovered that it is legal for Restaurants and Bars to charge for any service they offer (security included), but the legal way to do it is not to separate the cost of the services they offer at the end of the bill (I.E. "Security Surcharge") but rather to incorporate it into the total bill.

To come full circle from my opening paragraphs (J5's statement) - if the security situation has improved so much of recent, and people are beginning to feel safe from terror once again, perhaps it is time to reduce the amount of money spent on security for small establishments by removing the security. If the restaurants and bars decide to keep the security on staff, as they have been doing for nearly 12 years, I think their internal accountants can figure out how to incorporate the cost into the overhead and add it into the sale price. If they can't figure it out - I know of at least one accountant who can calculate it and will be happy to take the job.