Wow! That is good to know. To hear the employee talk without tips they are only getting $2+ an hour, when they are getting an average of minimum wage. Hmm now that's a horse of a different color.Nope. Restaurants have always been required to make-up the difference to ensure each employee is getting at least minimum wage.
Yes I do, somebody had to pull the order together, make sure everything was correct and add all the silverware, condiments, etc. This is ususally a bartender or server that is pulled away from other customers to handle it. Some places have a dedicated "take out" server but I guarantee you in the US they aren't making minimum wage.
It should be noted that all restaurant servers in the United States make at least minimum wage. If their tips don't amount to that much, their employer is required to make-up the difference. So all that is going on, in the case of restaurants, is leaving open the channel for patrons to contribute a share of the cost of service, the amount of their contribution subject to their discretion.
I'm so grateful that my customers didn't feel as you do, in not tipping for buffet service. The last I read, suggested amounts for tipping was 10% for buffet, and 15 - 20% for sit down meal. The restaurant where I worked for several years has a daily buffet, but a menu as well. I would say 75% of the people get the buffet. I still brought their drinks to the table and kept them re-filled, brought them condiments and extra napkins, took away plates (sometimes many times during the meal for heavy eaters), and brought dessert if it was ordered, then gave them their bill. All the while making far less than minimum wage. Most people tipped at least the suggested 10%, but many (especially regulars) tipped well above that.
Tips are how I earned my living. My "paycheck" every two weeks barely covered taxes. And "contacting the supervisor to praise the employee" doesn't pay the bills, and I sure don't agree that "job security is worth more than a couple of $ in the pocket." If people are like you and don't tip, the server doesn't earn a living, so has to look elsewhere for a job. And yes, money is tight for many people but if you can afford to go out to eat you can afford to tip as well. If you can't afford it, go to a fast food restaurant (where they earn at least minimum wage) or cook for yourself at home.

Wow! That is good to know. To hear the employee talk without tips they are only getting $2+ an hour, when they are getting an average of minimum wage. Hmm now that's a horse of a different color.
It should be noted that all restaurant servers in the United States make at least minimum wage. If their tips don't amount to that much, their employer is required to make-up the difference. So all that is going on, in the case of restaurants, is leaving open the channel for patrons to contribute a share of the cost of service, the amount of their contribution subject to their discretion.
Nice attitude. I guess one can say that if you can't afford to live off your paycheck alone then go find another line of work. Nobody forces a server to work for under minimum wage and their tips, you choose that line of work, how does that become a non-tippers problem?![]()
I live in the US, and I can guarantee you that they ARE making minimum wage in my state! There is no "lower than minimum wage for tipped employees" here.
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That's a ridiculous thing to say, so no one who's informed and thinking the issue through rationally would say that. Again, in our society the cost of service at restaurants is deliberately separated into the employer's portion and the patron's portion. Eating at a restaurant in the United States incurs an obligation on the part of the patron to apply reasonable and fair discretion in determining the amount of the gratuity they will provide. I know that a lot of people would rather save themselves money and cheat the system by refusing to comply with society's standards, but that's not a defense for doing so.Nice attitude. I guess one can say that if you can't afford to live off your paycheck alone then go find another line of work.
Because "non-tippers" are violating society's standards for nothing but personal avarice. You cannot live in this society more than a short while without coming to understand the obligation I referred to, so a "non-tipper" is behaving transgressively if they choose to eat at a restaurant. People who don't want to tip at restaurants need only avoid eating at restaurants. Any other approach, while not strictly illegal, is a violation of society's standards and therefore worthy of as much disparagement as the MIGrandma was providing, and perhaps more.Nobody forces a server to work for under minimum wage and their tips, you choose that line of work, how does that become a non-tippers problem?![]()
Actually in most states it's calculated per pay-period. And I believe most states prohibit pay periods for hourly workers from exceeding two weeks.However, this isn't calculated on a weekly basis. It is for the entire length of employment.
They were correct; it isn't computed daily. See above.Enforcing that is the problem. My boss' husband is an accountant, they did not make up the difference for us. Ever. They said what we made on good nights made up for the bad nights.
If all servers "found another line of work" then what restaurants would you go to then? I can certainly understand someone not tipping when the service is terrible. But for someone to just make a blanket statement and say "I do not tip", maybe they should work awhile as a server and see how it is. Tipping has been the norm for many years, most people in this country know that and if they don't, they need to be education about it.
How about the server's with your attitude then. Tipping may have been the norm for many years but here's the thing you are the one that needs to be educated since you seem to think its a requirement. It isn't, its a perk you get for the service you give however the customer is under no requirement to give you anything for your service whether its outstanding or not. Maybe if more servers appreciated the fact that people are willing to tip thenm instead of expecting it because they can afford to (isn't that what you said in your pp) then you wouldn't have to deal with those who choose not to. I tip accordingly on service, but if my server demonstrated an attitude like yours, then I'd be inclined to leave nothing and not even think twice about it.
Enforcing that is the problem. My boss' husband is an accountant, they did not make up the difference for us. Ever. They said what we made on good nights made up for the bad nights. January and February were the worst months to work, because of snow and bad weather (and people paying Christmas bills). There were times we'd work a 4-hour shift and make $15.
At least from a legal standpoint they are correct. As I said above, it is for the entire length of employment. As long as you are still employed there they will never have to "make up the difference" as possible future earnings could change the amount.
Because "non-tippers" are violating society's standards for nothing but personal avarice. You cannot live in this society more than a short while without coming to understand the obligation I referred to, so a "non-tipper" is behaving transgressively if they choose to eat at a restaurant. People who don't want to tip at restaurants need only avoid eating at restaurants. Any other approach, while not strictly illegal, is a violation of society's standards and therefore worthy of as much disparagement as the MIGrandma was providing, and perhaps more.
However, this isn't calculated on a weekly basis. It is for the entire length of employment.