PSA: Not all tipped positions get paid below minimum wage

[lacrosse_lady72]

After reading all of these redundant tipping threads (yes, I know I am making another one, lol) I just wanted to state that not all tipped position people make under minimum wage. I say this because I feel like people use the reason for not tipping certain people because they make at least minimum wage.

It's only about 15 states that actually do this!!! Oregon is not one of those states, I should know because I am a waitress in this state and I get paid at least minimum wage. But please, I'm not saying stop tipping in these states altogether, I'm just saying, it's time to get another excuse for (omitted due to I don't want points) and how much a person gets paid by the hour shouldn't be reflected in why or how much one tips them. It should only be based off of the service the person provided.

 

[ICF]

this should be interesting......

 

[Mommy2cody]

I never knew that in other states, servers made less then minimum wage! In CA they make 8.50 an hour (CA minimum wage) + tips. I was just having this discussion with my mom at dinner last night (We were out to dinner and I was thinking of all the tipping threads!)...my mom did know though.

 

[portocall]

I tip for a service that is done well. But whether or not they are paid at minimum wage, slightly higher, or even lower doesn't matter to me. Judging on the fact that minimum wage here is not a living wage, being paid minimum wage is not that great. People would be surprised at the percentage of people on some sort of public assistance that work 35 hours a week or higher at minimum wage. In our area it is 76%.

 

[HelenePA]

I've never thought to ask our server how much they make.. I'd tip the same either way

 

[Planogirl]

Does it matter what they make? I couldn't keep up with it even if I cared so I just pay a minimum tip of 15% for adequate service and 20% and up for good service to ALL servers.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Missouri is not one of those states.

 

[bumbershoot]

Does it matter what they make? I couldn't keep up with it even if I cared so I just pay a minimum tip of 15% for adequate service and 20% and up for good service to ALL servers.

It can matter, because in the countries where proper amounts are paid to the servers, tipping is NOT part of the culture. Tipping and the below minimum wage jobs go hand in hand...tipping is probably why you can end up with a job paying under $3 per hour (with the IRS assuming you're making tips, and taxing you based on that).


LOL, obviously I disagree with the OP, b/c I think that the minimum wage should take a part in the decision to tip! I wish that everyone who is a server made a normal amount and we could just stop the madness apart from absolutely top notch, excellent, splendiforous, and have money burning holes in your pocket, tipping.

For the record, I worked as in the kitchen and as a barmaid at a local place that, during the time that they refused credit cards, paid a decent wage. I got tipped on top of that, which of course was lovely (if I ever get several ones as change, I get all nostalgic and wish i could find the special wallet I bought back then to keep my tips in), but completely NOT necessary.

 

[metalis4ever]

I could care less about minimum wage or not, at a sit down restaurant I always start at 20% and either go up or down from there but I never go below 15% baring an extenuating circumstance of course. As far as other establishments I use my best judgment like at Dunkin Donuts if it comes to say $3.10 I'll give the girl $4.00 and say keep the change.....Other than DD's I always tip 20% on every service in life sit downs, hair dresser/barber, tour bus driver, taxi cab etc..... So I guess I am one of those people that doesn't care how much a person makes on the back end and tip based upon the level of service I receive on the front end

 

[shortbun]

so?

 

[Heidict]

I could care less what they get paid an hour. I tip because I have been a waitress and I know that it is a tough job. Minimum wage doesn't pay the bills these days and I can't even begin to imagine how you could make ends meet out of it.

I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks and it never crossed my mind to see how much waiters get paid. I will tip as usual, even if I were to find out that they got paid minimum wage or more.

 

[dbriggsq]

I could care less about minimum wage or not, at a sit down restaurant I always start at 20% and either go up or down from there but I never go below 15% baring an extenuating circumstance of course. As far as other establishments I use my best judgment like at Dunkin Donuts if it comes to say $3.10 I'll give the girl $4.00 and say keep the change.....Other than DD's I always tip 20% on every service in life sit downs, hair dresser/barber, tour bus driver, taxi cab etc..... So I guess I am one of those people that doesn't care how much a person makes on the back end and tip based upon the level of service I receive on the front end

I'd be interested to know if you tip your ....nurse, dentist, doctor.. - if not, why not - these people provide a much more 'personal' service than your restaurant server etc. As I've said in previous posts on the subject I think tipping demeaning and embarrassing both for the tipper and the receiver and would prefer to live in a civilized society where everyone was paid a living wage by their employer. I'm also curious to know why people feel the need to give money as a thank you for services rather a sincere 'thank you' or a commendation note to their employer.

 

[disney1990]

In Maryland Servers can be paid as little as $3.63 an hour. Unless I am totally ignored, I always tip at least 20%.

 

[metalis4ever]

I'd be interested to know if you tip your ....nurse, dentist, doctor.. - if not, why not - these people provide a much more 'personal' service than your restaurant server etc. As I've said in previous posts on the subject I think tipping demeaning and embarrassing both for the tipper and the receiver and would prefer to live in a civilized society where everyone was paid a living wage by their employer. I'm also curious to know why people feel the need to give money as a thank you for services rather a sincere 'thank you' or a commendation note to their employer.

I don't tip my Dentist, Nurse or Doctor because quite frankly it feels less personal to me than other services as I am only paying for a portion of the service ( co-pay) out of pocket the rest is covered by my insurance (which I know is technically out of pocket but you know what i mean)...I don't feel demeaned or embarrassed while tipping people and when I worked in the service industry I loved when people tipped me because that was the perfect thank you not to mention while working in that field I was motivated extrinsically so a good job from a customer or boss meant nothing to me it was all about the money....I am no longer in the service industry but I still work hard for my money and I don't mind sharing my money with others who are working just as hard as I am when they provide a service to me....Tipping in my mind is like getting a bonus from work, who's going to get offended or say no to free money? Not this guy, not now, not never

Also commendation notes and thank you's don't pay bills and that's not a "civilized society" you are speaking of that's an egalitarian society you speak of and there hasn't been a true one of those in "Western Civilization" since the invention of the plow 10,000 plus years ago......

 

[luvsJack]

Ok, I have a question. If their amount of pay doesn't tell you whether its a tipped position; what does?

We were eating in a Bonanza restaurant years ago (it was a steak place but served in a semi-cafeteria style). Customers took their own trays to the table but servers still refilled drinks, brought extra butter and such to the table. We had two small children with us and they were making quite the mess, so I wanted to make sure I left a large tip for the server and the guy bussing tables. The server chased me to the door to return the tip and said they could not take tips.

I have been also told this by carhops at Sonic.

So, how would a person know if they are supposed to tip or not?

 

[dbriggsq]

I don't tip my Dentist, Nurse or Doctor because quite frankly it feels less personal to me than other services as I am only paying for a portion of the service ( co-pay) out of pocket the rest is covered by my insurance (which I know is technically out of pocket but you know what i mean)...I don't feel demeaned or embarrassed while tipping people and when I worked in the service industry I loved when people tipped me because that was the perfect thank you not to mention while working in that field I was motivated extrinsically so a good job from a customer or boss meant nothing to me it was all about the money....I am no longer in the service industry but I still work hard for my money and I don't mind sharing my money with others who are working just as hard as I am when they provide a service to me....Tipping in my mind is like getting a bonus from work, who's going to get offended or say no to free money? Not this guy, not now, not never

Also commendation notes and thank you's don't pay bills and that's not a "civilized society" you are speaking of that's an egalitarian society you speak of and there hasn't been a true one of those in "Western Civilization" since the invention of the plow 10,000 plus years ago......

But you do say that you tip for any personal service - surely the sevice given by a nurse say is much more personal than that given by a waiter. Don't get me wrong - I'm not having a dig - I just find the whle whole tipping thing very old fashioned and outdated. There are many cultures where tipping is not acceptable - I posted in another thread about a recent trip to France where we ate at 3 restaurants which were 'service comprix' and were priced between 17-25 euros and the food and service were impeccable and tipping was not expected.

A note to management about exceptional service might be a better way to improve an employee's position by way of promotion.

 

[Sparx]

But you do say that you tip for any personal service - surely the sevice given by a nurse say is much more personal than that given by a waiter. Don't get me wrong - I'm not having a dig - I just find the whle whole tipping thing very old fashioned and outdated. There are many cultures where tipping is not acceptable - I posted in another thread about a recent trip to France where we ate at 3 restaurants which were 'service comprix' and were priced between 17-25 euros and the food and service were impeccable and tipping was not expected.

A note to management about exceptional service might be a better way to improve an employee's position by way of promotion.

This isn't one of those cultures. In fact, in the state of Tennessee tips are counted as taxable wages. Meaning, that tipped positions make LESS than minimum wage (2.13/hr) and count on their tips to meet or surpass minimum wage. These tips are the same thing as a pay check. Your note isn't a paycheck. Its garbage.

What is standard in some cultures is not standard in others.

 

[disneychrista]

I think just as many people use the they make less than minimum wage to justify tipping at certain amounts. I still want to know why we tip based on the cost of a meal, not the service being provided & actual work the server does.

In CA they make 8.50 an hour (CA minimum wage) + tips. .

You are actually being paid 50¢ more than minimum wage, since minimum wage in California is only $8/hr.

 

[Alesia]

This isn't one of those cultures. In fact, in the state of Tennessee tips are counted as taxable wages. Meaning, that tipped positions make LESS than minimum wage (2.13/hr) and count on their tips to meet or surpass minimum wage. These tips are the same thing as a pay check. Your note isn't a paycheck. Its garbage.

What is standard in some cultures is not standard in others.

Exactly!

I don't love the idea of tipping either. I would be perfectly happy if all restaurants decided that they were going to raise their prices by 20% and pay their servers a decent wage, but that is never going to happen.

 

[kieras nana]

i absolutely love my holidays to your country,but i hate the way,that tips are expected,in america.
i work in a pub,here in the uk & when a customer says,take one for yourself,i politely say,no thank you,i am ok thanks,& don't take a penny.most people are surprised by this,but as far as i am concerned,i get paid,to do my job & the idea,of taking money off people,just embarrases the hell,out of me!
however i always leave a tip,from the taxi driver,to the hairdresser.i would never dream of not leaving a tip,bit i feel,in your country,it is expected,which really makes me feel uncomfortable.
i would never ever,expect anything off anyone,so it's not the giving of the tip,that doesn't sit well,with me,it's the expectation!
i hope i don't offend anyone,with my opinion.as i say,it's the expectation,i find really off putting.
however i will put up,with it,as i just love visiting your country.
tracy