I am not in the position to suggest people to carry their own bags, not going out to eat or get another job. I have been paying around 15% tips even with not so good service because DH had worked as a waiter years ago, we felt that we understand people's expectation, difficulties etc. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I tend to tolerate some "mistakes", say one poster mentioned a taxi being 45 minutes late, in my case, I would probably give driver tips before he even asked (not that she was wrong). On the same token, after reading the discussion, I am taken back by people's comment that people should not go out eat if they do not plan to pay tips. As I am not known to have a logical thinking, hence I need some help to understand why I should continue to pay 15% tips.
a. My understanding is that waiters/waitresses can legally be paid below the minimum wages is because tips is considered part of the wage and taxes are withheld based on the potential income. However, if the waitperson were to get below what they have paid in taxes, shouldn't they file a return for a refund? I always like to find out the percentage of waitstaff accurate report taxable income.
b. My understanding of salary/wages is that it is a "negotiation" (if there is any) between an employer and employee. If waiter does not make the "expected" (or minimum) wages, the employee should bring it to the employer (note that people choose not to negotiate is different from cannot negotiate, I have known people offered fixed salary to waiter, while the tips went to the owner, because the waiter did not make "enough" money)
c. Owner takes the risk of running the business not the waiter, right? If those of us who are not the owner of a restaurant how can we have the right to suggest people not to eat in the restaurant if they do not plan to pay tips? If you were a owner and strongly believe that people should pay tips, why not include the tips in the service charge? I.e. the owner should action to correct a problem (or at least do what Mr. Soprano did º).
d. How does the guideline of 15% being decided? As I pointed out before, even House and Senate has to vote to give themselves raises, how can we go from 10% to 15% and then 20%?
e. As I pointed out earlier if the baggage handler were paid equal to minimum wages, there is really no difference in services if all they do was to take the luggage to the baggage room. Is bellman paid below minimum wages? If not, why would it be a tipped position?
f. What are the other "tipped position"? and why?
Until I see a convincing argument, I think tips should be decided by the person who pays them rather than from anyone asking them not to eat out. I pay 50% for my hair stylist because I want her to remember how to cut my hair. However, I will need to convince myself that I should continue to pay 15% for food services other than it is just an obligation because it is expected, at minimum, the suggestion from elfbo's suggestion of tipping 3.4% is good start. At this point, tomorrow I am going to tip the guy at the Subway restaurant, because he always met me with a big smile. If I were to pay 15% to those people who don't deserve, I think tipping in Subway is more than reasonable.
a. My understanding is that waiters/waitresses can legally be paid below the minimum wages is because tips is considered part of the wage and taxes are withheld based on the potential income. However, if the waitperson were to get below what they have paid in taxes, shouldn't they file a return for a refund? I always like to find out the percentage of waitstaff accurate report taxable income.
b. My understanding of salary/wages is that it is a "negotiation" (if there is any) between an employer and employee. If waiter does not make the "expected" (or minimum) wages, the employee should bring it to the employer (note that people choose not to negotiate is different from cannot negotiate, I have known people offered fixed salary to waiter, while the tips went to the owner, because the waiter did not make "enough" money)
c. Owner takes the risk of running the business not the waiter, right? If those of us who are not the owner of a restaurant how can we have the right to suggest people not to eat in the restaurant if they do not plan to pay tips? If you were a owner and strongly believe that people should pay tips, why not include the tips in the service charge? I.e. the owner should action to correct a problem (or at least do what Mr. Soprano did º).
d. How does the guideline of 15% being decided? As I pointed out before, even House and Senate has to vote to give themselves raises, how can we go from 10% to 15% and then 20%?
e. As I pointed out earlier if the baggage handler were paid equal to minimum wages, there is really no difference in services if all they do was to take the luggage to the baggage room. Is bellman paid below minimum wages? If not, why would it be a tipped position?
f. What are the other "tipped position"? and why?
Until I see a convincing argument, I think tips should be decided by the person who pays them rather than from anyone asking them not to eat out. I pay 50% for my hair stylist because I want her to remember how to cut my hair. However, I will need to convince myself that I should continue to pay 15% for food services other than it is just an obligation because it is expected, at minimum, the suggestion from elfbo's suggestion of tipping 3.4% is good start. At this point, tomorrow I am going to tip the guy at the Subway restaurant, because he always met me with a big smile. If I were to pay 15% to those people who don't deserve, I think tipping in Subway is more than reasonable.
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because it becomes the norm and the expectation.
