Tipping suggestion on receipt

[sam_gordon]

I’m one one thinks if more ppl were tipped, they would actually do a better job. Any service type place that I have been where ppl are tipped, they usually provide better service. Now, I agree it it would be ridiculous to implement, but I think the service would be better.

See, I try to do a good job because I want to do a good job.

 

[sam_gordon]

Nope. The available jobs for those without a university degree that pay more than the minimum wage have been declining. This is both due to globalization as well as innovation. The reality is that the better paying job isn’t available.

So someone comes to you and says they don't like their job, they're not getting paid enough, it's so hard, etc, etc, etc, you would advise them to stick with it because there's nothing better out there?

 

[LSUmiss]

See, I try to do a good job because I want to do a good job.

Me too. But, I bet you don’t work at Walmart or McDonald’s (and probably never have) so you really can’t say 100% how you would be. I know I can’t say. A lot of ppl work hard no matter what, but clearly a lot of ppl don’t since we live in very different areas but are able to have this discussion about the places with notoriously poor service. Imo, most ppl work harder with more incentives.

 

[LSUmiss]

So someone comes to you and says they don't like their job, they're not getting paid enough, it's so hard, etc, etc, etc, you would advise them to stick with it because there's nothing better out there?

You’re not asking me, but I would be empathetic & encourage them to look b/c you never know. BUT, I would also have the awareness to know that it’s likely that might be as good as it will for that person right now.

 

[RamblingMad]

So someone comes to you and says they don't like their job, they're not getting paid enough, it's so hard, etc, etc, etc, you would advise them to stick with it because there's nothing better out there?

That might be reality. It’s why raising the minimum is so important. Amazon is slowly killing off retail jobs. Auto manufacturers and factory work have mostly moved abroad. That’s leaves fewer available jobs that pay above minimum.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think there's something to be said for working conditions weighing down on someone over time. But at the same time work ethic is work ethic and generally carries over from job to job.

Sometimes a different environment though brings out more positive things than another environment so I'll say that can be the case.

More often than not if you have an approach about what your job entails you to do you're more likely to have that at other places too and that can be a positive or negative approach or even a neutral one where it's like "meh".

I think that's a different type of discussion than an employee who doesn't like their present working conditions and is given the advice it may be best look elsewhere.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That might be reality. It’s why raising the minimum is so important. Amazon is slowly killing off retail jobs. Auto manufacturers and factory work have mostly moved abroad. That’s leaves fewer available jobs that pay above minimum.

We do have a shift in that those factory/laborer jobs aren't as prevalent as they once were. Yes moving outside of the U.S. is a thing but so is consumer behaviors. My sister-in-law just stopped working for GM a few months ago and for the past couple of years she's said how people aren't buying sedans anymore. If consumers aren't buying a product the auto maker isn't going to invest in that. And the way autos are made it often means closing up of a plant and/or elimination of a shift (which usually means employees let go).

Now yes when you bring in Amazon into the discussion I would agree but I would say it's online shopping in general that has led to this. Amazon has more or less pioneered that absolutely. I am not an online clothes or shoe shopper so I really dislike this trend but other things I will go to Amazon for. It's area-specific of course but here we have several Amazon warehouses and they have def. provided jobs here. Catch 22 if you will.

Some places like JCP shot themselves in the foot because of how they opted to do business. Would they still be declining because of online shopping? I would say probably. But their business decisions also impact them. Bed Bath & Beyond rubbed people the wrong way too when they decided to become really strict on their coupons-something that brought many shoppers in. Catch 22 there because of course a coupon can mean lost money though it can bring someone into the store who may not have. I stopped shopping at Payless Shoe Source years ago when they started upping their pricing to ridiculous levels for what the store was all about. I didn't shop there to spend $40 on Champion brand tennis shoes. I can get Ryka brand for that price when on sale at another place (or Amazon lol).

 

[sam_gordon]

Me too. But, I bet you don’t work at Walmart or McDonald’s (and probably never have) so you really can’t say 100% how you would be. I know I can’t say. A lot of ppl work hard no matter what, but clearly a lot of ppl don’t since we live in very different areas but are able to have this discussion about the places with notoriously poor service. Imo, most ppl work harder with more incentives.

See there you go assuming. I've worked at Hardee's (fast food), and yes, I wanted to do a good job. I have no problem with incentives to do a good job. But when those incentives are expected regardless of the quality of job you do, THEN there's a problem. So, force restaurants to pay the actual minimum wage. Let patrons know that tips are not expected, but accepted. If someone does a good job in eyes of the customer, they're free to tip any amount they'd like. So there's still incentives to do a good job.

I believe a PP said if servers just got minimum wage there would be no reason for them to work there (or something like that). But there are people working minimum wage jobs everywhere. If an employer wants a better quality worker, they offer more, whether that's pay, benefits, perks, whatever. Just like every other industry.

 

[LSUmiss]

See there you go assuming. I've worked at Hardee's (fast food), and yes, I wanted to do a good job. I have no problem with incentives to do a good job. But when those incentives are expected regardless of the quality of job you do, THEN there's a problem. So, force restaurants to pay the actual minimum wage. Let patrons know that tips are not expected, but accepted. If someone does a good job in eyes of the customer, they're free to tip any amount they'd like. So there's still incentives to do a good job.

I believe a PP said if servers just got minimum wage there would be no reason for them to work there (or something like that). But there are people working minimum wage jobs everywhere. If an employer wants a better quality worker, they offer more, whether that's pay, benefits, perks, whatever. Just like every other industry.

I said probably never have. So that leaves the possibility that you did. And how do you know you did a good a job? Maybe you only thought you did . But, there are some ppl who will do a good job no matter what, but many others require more incentive.

But, I agree with the bolded. I think that would benefit the consumer & the worker. But, I don’t think it’s likely to change anytime soon b/c that’s more $$ for the restaurant owners to shell out on employees.

 

[disykat]

If you adjust for inflation and cost of living, that’s still really low.

Yes, working for minimum wage is hard. That makes it really hard for low earners to want to tip people making more than them. In my area people are still expected to tip the same percentages despite waiters getting minimum or more plus tips. Waiting tables is not a minimum wage job here. Those jobs are coveted and I know people who moonlight in restaurants for the money.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

The compensation shouldn’t be the same. The server who works at the upscale restaurant most likely has more experience than the one at the cheaper restaurant. You have to start somewhere, and for those who make a career out of serving, the way to move up is to move to different restaurants.

But what if it’s the same place? Say my wife and I both order simple hamburger/fries plates with water, you and your husband or wife order surf and turf with a beer each but no other beverage(no water, nothing) so both tables get two plates and two drinks. Should you tip more than I? In all honesty the beer is no more difficult to open than filling a glass with water. The surf n turf could even be simpler than a well made hamburger. Just my way of thinking.

 

[MillauFr]

Question for those in sub-minimum wage jobs? How much does your typical pub/diner charge for a basic cheeseburger? Just trying to get a comparison since my state pays servers full minimum wage. Since everyone assume that menu prices will raise dramatically if wages were increased.


So a forced tip that I am HOPING actually goes to the server because "service charges" aren't technically tips.

Yes I believe the money goes to wages and benefits

 

[disykat]

Me too. But, I bet you don’t work at Walmart or McDonald’s (and probably never have) so you really can’t say 100% how you would be. I know I can’t say. A lot of ppl work hard no matter what, but clearly a lot of ppl don’t since we live in very different areas but are able to have this discussion about the places with notoriously poor service. Imo, most ppl work harder with more incentives. (quoted LSUmiss, but somehow goofed it up so I made it bold)

This kind of shocks me. Are there that many people who HAVEN'T worked a minimum wage job ever? My husband hadn't, but I thought he was an anomaly. I had one friend in college who hadn't worked a "teenager" job. I don't know anyone else personally who hasn't. I made darn sure both my boys had had a minimum wage job (no tips) in the service industry before they left home because I felt like it would be a hole in their education if they hadn't. I worked for about 6 years at various minimum wage jobs. Three years in high school and three in college - age 15 - 21. I don't count the year I waitresses in college because I made way more than minimum because I got minimum plus tips. I also moonlit at a minimum wage job my first year of teaching. (no tips) I did not grow up disadvantaged (my parents are both medical professionals) but it was just expected that you got a job where you started at the bottom.

I feel terrible for people who are trapped in minimum wage jobs beyond their starter years. But where I live, tipped positions are not considered minimum wage jobs.

 

[MillauFr]

I'm not sure how I feel about a service charge, I think it leaves room for an employer to not give it to the server.
I also don't like being automatically charged a "tip" because my choice is to tip on the kind of service I get. It being adjustable is a good thing, but again I'm not sure I agree with employers doing it that way because it can make it easy to cheat the server out of their "tips".

I guess it works the same way as Disney Cruise handles it

 

[MillauFr]

But what if it’s the same place? Say my wife and I both order simple hamburger/fries plates with water, you and your husband or wife order surf and turf with a beer each but no other beverage(no water, nothing) so both tables get two plates and two drinks. Should you tip more than I? In all honesty the beer is no more difficult to open than filling a glass with water. The surf n turf could even be simpler than a well made hamburger. Just my way of thinking.

Wine is the same way.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes I believe the money goes to wages and benefits

Well then NO it doesn't (directly) go to the server, as a tip would.

This is almost as bad as when I was at the airport and the restaurant charged a 2% health insurance fee.

 

[LSUmiss]

Me too. But, I bet you don’t work at Walmart or McDonald’s (and probably never have) so you really can’t say 100% how you would be. I know I can’t say. A lot of ppl work hard no matter what, but clearly a lot of ppl don’t since we live in very different areas but are able to have this discussion about the places with notoriously poor service. Imo, most ppl work harder with more incentives. (quoted LSUmiss, but somehow goofed it up so I made it bold)

This kind of shocks me. Are there that many people who HAVEN'T worked a minimum wage job ever? My husband hadn't, but I thought he was an anomaly. I had one friend in college who hadn't worked a "teenager" job. I don't know anyone else personally who hasn't. I made darn sure both my boys had had a minimum wage job (no tips) in the service industry before they left home because I felt like it would be a hole in their education if they hadn't. I worked for about 6 years at various minimum wage jobs. Three years in high school and three in college - age 15 - 21. I don't count the year I waitresses in college because I made way more than minimum because I got minimum plus tips. I also moonlit at a minimum wage job my first year of teaching. (no tips) I did not grow up disadvantaged (my parents are both medical professionals) but it was just expected that you got a job where you started at the bottom.

I feel terrible for people who are trapped in minimum wage jobs beyond their starter years. But where I live, tipped positions are not considered minimum wage jobs.

Let’s just say in this urban area, there aren’t many teenagers in any of those work places. I did work minimum wage but in a veterinary clinic. I also worked did a local grocery store which is different than walmart. I never worked in fast food or at Walmart. In that post above, I specifically meant fast food & Walmart type jobs where the work is hard & the pay is low & the industries are known for their subpar standards of service.

 

[RamblingMad]

I guess it works the same way as Disney Cruise handles it

Hire foreign staff at ridiculously low wages for a set period of time? No. I’m pretty certain US workers are treated far better.

I got to know both of my Disney Cruise waiters. One in particular was not happy with her contract. She wanted to return home once it was over.

Cruise workers are overworked and underpaid. And most are from foreign countries with even worse working standards.

This is all very depressing.

 

[Hikergirl]

Hire foreign staff at ridiculously low wages for a set period of time? No. I’m pretty certain US workers are treated far better.

I got to know both of my Disney Cruise waiters. One in particular was not happy with her contract. She wanted to return home once it was over.

Cruise workers are overworked and underpaid. And most are from foreign countries with even worse working standards.

This is all very depressing.

Yet, they agreed to it.

 

[RamblingMad]

Yet, they agreed to it.

That doesn’t make it right.