I worked as a waiter throughout college and I can attest that I made a small fortune compared to the other opportunities. But I've come to see mandatory tipping as a bit of a problem problem in the US because people can shirk on the wage. In fact the US, for a very long time, didn't tip like Europe, but then they started when wealthy people traveled to Europe and brought it back as a kind of 'largess flex.' Europe ended up stopping and the US ended up leveraging rich people tipping to reduce the wages of their employees.
This leads to my biggest problem with the practice; companies don't pay proper wages. It's fine if you work a high volume weekend, but because the base wage is so low, restaurants will keep people on over a dead shift at less than minimum wage to do cleaning / prep / etc. because minimum wage is factored over the whole pay period and tips are bound to go up. So if you weren't like me who could only work the weekend, those slow shifts drain a good wage to a minimum wage and the owners get to pay pennies for the labor since it is subsidized by the patrons. Granted, at a certain point you have to ask the question of whether it matters whether the wage comes from the tip or the wage and I can make a great case that I made much more than I would on a wage, but that starts to fall apart when you consider that this essay is about people NOT paying that tip.
I've shifted my position over the years and I think tips should go away and better wages replace them. I can't tell you how nice it is to go out in Denmark and not worry about it. Even better, a tip can actually be a bonus to reward outstanding service, not a obligatory tax. I think a tip is a gratuity when it isn't mandatory.
I also think of that Seinfeld episode on the absurdity of who to tip and how much. 😂
Minimum wage for tipped employees varies by state. Some states are trying to require a better base wage, like New York the minimum wage for tipped employees is anywhere from $10 to $15(NYC), Florida is $7.95 which I think is almost as bad as Ohio. California is $14 and Washington DC is $16.10.
I agree about tipping in Europe.
I bartended, people drank every night and tipped very well. This still seems to be true.
I agree with this as well Peter, I tried to capture some more of these thoughts in my comment as well. I'm torn because I made a fortune waiting tables, but I only worked weekends, not the slow middle week which saps your wage over the week.
I am in total agreement with you. I didn't realize that customers not tipping had become an issue. I waited on tables at night while establishing myself as an illustrator. The job enabled me to see art directors during the day and not starve to death.
So glad I read your post…….thanks.
I worked as a waiter throughout college and I can attest that I made a small fortune compared to the other opportunities. But I've come to see mandatory tipping as a bit of a problem problem in the US because people can shirk on the wage. In fact the US, for a very long time, didn't tip like Europe, but then they started when wealthy people traveled to Europe and brought it back as a kind of 'largess flex.' Europe ended up stopping and the US ended up leveraging rich people tipping to reduce the wages of their employees.
This leads to my biggest problem with the practice; companies don't pay proper wages. It's fine if you work a high volume weekend, but because the base wage is so low, restaurants will keep people on over a dead shift at less than minimum wage to do cleaning / prep / etc. because minimum wage is factored over the whole pay period and tips are bound to go up. So if you weren't like me who could only work the weekend, those slow shifts drain a good wage to a minimum wage and the owners get to pay pennies for the labor since it is subsidized by the patrons. Granted, at a certain point you have to ask the question of whether it matters whether the wage comes from the tip or the wage and I can make a great case that I made much more than I would on a wage, but that starts to fall apart when you consider that this essay is about people NOT paying that tip.
I've shifted my position over the years and I think tips should go away and better wages replace them. I can't tell you how nice it is to go out in Denmark and not worry about it. Even better, a tip can actually be a bonus to reward outstanding service, not a obligatory tax. I think a tip is a gratuity when it isn't mandatory.
I also think of that Seinfeld episode on the absurdity of who to tip and how much. 😂
Minimum wage for tipped employees varies by state. Some states are trying to require a better base wage, like New York the minimum wage for tipped employees is anywhere from $10 to $15(NYC), Florida is $7.95 which I think is almost as bad as Ohio. California is $14 and Washington DC is $16.10.
I agree about tipping in Europe.
I bartended, people drank every night and tipped very well. This still seems to be true.
Maybe its time to pay workers their wages and leave the tipping for those who earn it.
The system can't work when inflation eats into your wages.
In fact many will soon be eating pet food at home to avoid starvation.
We are in for some cold dark times ahead and if the churches don't open up their soup kitchens many will starve.
I agree with this as well Peter, I tried to capture some more of these thoughts in my comment as well. I'm torn because I made a fortune waiting tables, but I only worked weekends, not the slow middle week which saps your wage over the week.
When I was researching this I found the wait-staff in France are paid decent wages, not like how it works here in the U.S.
I think inflation will get worse before it gets better and I hope there isn’t mass starvation, but it is possible. I hope we’re wrong.
I am in total agreement with you. I didn't realize that customers not tipping had become an issue. I waited on tables at night while establishing myself as an illustrator. The job enabled me to see art directors during the day and not starve to death.
We all did it at some point! I bartended.
Good advice. But I tip way more than you suggested. It’s appreciated and the service on return visits is much better !
I agree with tipping more and return visits, especially at “regular” places!