Why should i pay $14 to enter the US?

[MacLeod]

Good way to get top customer service is treat people as you wish to be treated yourself.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Yes, you're supposed to boost it up to minimum wage. I have no idea if it is calculated daily, weekly, monthly, etc. My belief is it simply is not calculated. Even if it were, there are plenty of other shady or potentially illegal things restaurants do that ensure that your wage will never truly equal hours worked.

It's definitely not calculated daily, as I've had a few awful days, and never got a makeup wage. The alternative is, as you say, that my bosses were scoundrels; certainly possible.

I also wonder how easy it would even be to calculate. After all, how does a manager even know that cash tips are being accurately reported to him?

Being somewhat familiar with the managerial end of restaurant work, it's sort of surprising how much pressure there is to keep labor costs low, and how thin their margins really are. Edit: about 4% pre-tax, according to the first thing I looked up, which is always the best.

Yeah, margins are definitely very thin. I don't know how accurate it is, but the common statement is that 50% of all restaurants fail within the first year. Certainly if servers were paid minimum wage and kitchen staff were unionized to be paid their actual fair value, I'd say 2/3 of restaurants would be closed and only the high-end places would be left.

 

[RoJoHen]

This is what I hate. It sounds like it's a bad deal for both the servers and the customers. Yet it seems like most people in the service industry are okay with the tip system and even would prefer it over building that cost into the price of the food and directly going to their wages. Or am I wrong about that? Do people in the restaurant industry hate it as much as I do?

As someone who has worked in the industry, I love the tip system. It's a weird adjustment at first, especially when a 2-week paycheck is only about $30, but it's awesome being able to take home $100 cash at the end of every night.

That's one of the things I like about it. The income is instant. You don't have to wait around for your paycheck to come. If you're strapped for cash, you can go in a pick up an extra shift to make some money right then and there.

If it weren't for my growing disdain for my specific restaurant and its owners, I would gladly still be doing it, and I'd be making a helluva a lot more money than I'm currently making at my new job.

Yes, you're supposed to boost it up to minimum wage. I have no idea if it is calculated daily, weekly, monthly, etc. My belief is it simply is not calculated. Even if it were, there are plenty of other shady or potentially illegal things restaurants do that ensure that your wage will never truly equal hours worked.

It's definitely not calculated daily, as I've had a few awful days, and never got a makeup wage. The alternative is, as you say, that my bosses were scoundrels; certainly possible.

I also wonder how easy it would even be to calculate. After all, how does a manager even know that cash tips are being accurately reported to him?

In the state of Illinois you are legally required to report a minimum of 8% of your sales as tip-based income under the assumption that you are at least earning that much. Doesn't mean people do, though. I sure didn't for a long time. When we clock out, the computer prompts us to report our tips, and it doesn't have a problem with me putting in a big fat ZERO.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Our system required you to report tips equivalent to at least 10% of sales. Most servers reported exactly that number, so they wouldn't get taxed on the remaining 5-10%. Of course, credit card tips were reported in full.

 

[Myasishchev]

I don't know if it's a legal requirement here, but I was directed to report some percentage of my sales, I think.

Even the managers were surprised I reported my actual tips. "Why would you do that?"

I remember some other thread where I had an debate with someone on exactly why the IRS does withholding...

Being a Democrat is tough sometimes.

 

[RoJoHen]

Our system required you to report tips equivalent to at least 10% of sales. Most servers reported exactly that number, so they wouldn't get taxed on the remaining 5-10%. Of course, credit card tips were reported in full.

Indeed.

I never reported lower tips to prevent myself from being taxed. I reported lower tips to make my paychecks bigger.

 

[Kestra]

Kestra. No, you're right. Servers generally do like it.

Thanks for that information. I guess then my question is, why do I so often see complaints from people in the industry regarding tips? It really does seem like a gamble, but people complain and blame others when they lose. Not everyone, but in my years and TBBS I've seen the complaints come up numerous times.

On a general note, expected tips in general just make no sense to me. When someone delivers food, I'm expected to tip the delivery guy. But then what was the delivery fee for? What are his wages like? When I go to a salon, they want me to tip the person who cut my hair, or did my nails. But I just paid $$$ for that service. I have no way of knowing what sort of wages people get whether in the restaurant industry or elsewhere. I'd much rather everything was factored into the original price, and then I could happily tip people for good service without the pressure of knowing that it was expected.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

This is hilarious. Both the OP and the responses.

I'm still trying to figure out where anyone got the notion they have the "right to travel freely throughout the world." Try that some places, and they start shooting!

 

[RoJoHen]

Kestra. No, you're right. Servers generally do like it.

Thanks for that information. I guess then my question is, why do I so often see complaints from people in the industry regarding tips? It really does seem like a gamble, but people complain and blame others when they lose. Not everyone, but in my years and TBBS I've seen the complaints come up numerous times.

Because the more people that we can convert into good tippers, the more money we'll make from them.

On a general note, expected tips in general just make no sense to me. When someone delivers food, I'm expected to tip the delivery guy. But then what was the delivery fee for? What are his wages like? When I go to a salon, they want me to tip the person who cut my hair, or did my nails. But I just paid $$$ for that service. I have no way of knowing what sort of wages people get whether in the restaurant industry or elsewhere. I'd much rather everything was factored into the original price, and then I could happily tip people for good service without the pressure of knowing that it was expected.

I dunno, I guess I have no problem with any of this. It's an American custom. My parents taught me how to tip, so I do. That's how customs work. I don't give it a second thought, and it certainly doesn't bother me when I am expected to tip someone.

The one time I didn't leave a tip was when I got my tattoo. It was my first time, and I had no idea that tipping was customary in that industry as well.

I'm not made of money, but I also get that the people working tipped positions probably aren't either. I also know that a lot of people are not going to tip them well. I guess I feel an obligation to tip them as best I can to help make up for their shitty tips. I know it's not my responsibility, and I wouldn't expect other people to do the same, but it makes me feel good knowing that I'm helping out. I always tip the pizza guy 20%. If the weather is crappy, I tip him more. I once gave the pizza guy a $15 tip (which was about a 100% tip) because he brought me pizza in the middle of a snow storm. He was so grateful, and I actually heard a "Woohoo!" as he was getting back in his car.

 

[bigdaddy]

Being a Democrat is tough sometimes.

Yes it's called the 80s and the 2000s.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I guess then my question is, why do I so often see complaints from people in the industry regarding tips? It really does seem like a gamble, but people complain and blame others when they lose.

Have you spoken to a gambler? Any gambler? They always complain and blame others when they lose. So, it's not surprising.

 

[RoJoHen]

I guess then my question is, why do I so often see complaints from people in the industry regarding tips? It really does seem like a gamble, but people complain and blame others when they lose.

Have you spoken to a gambler? Any gambler? They always complain and blame others when they lose. So, it's not surprising.

It's just easier to bitch about the bad tippers than it is to praise the good tippers. Despite the complaints, the majority of people actually are good tippers. Waiting tables is hardly the gamble that people are making it out to be.

 

[MacLeod]

I suspect in no matter what field you work in, you actually complain to your work colleagues about something related to it.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

On a general note, expected tips in general just make no sense to me. When someone delivers food, I'm expected to tip the delivery guy. But then what was the delivery fee for? What are his wages like? When I go to a salon, they want me to tip the person who cut my hair, or did my nails. But I just paid $$$ for that service. I have no way of knowing what sort of wages people get whether in the restaurant industry or elsewhere. I'd much rather everything was factored into the original price, and then I could happily tip people for good service without the pressure of knowing that it was expected.

I had a friend who was a pizza delivery boy. He had to provide his own transportation and gas. I believe he was paid minimum wage, but he effectively made less after factoring in those expenses. That was one situation that made no sense. Since the delivery fee never went to him, I wondered where it went.

It's just easier to bitch about the bad tippers than it is to praise the good tippers. Despite the complaints, the majority of people actually are good tippers. Waiting tables is hardly the gamble that people are making it out to be.

Yeah, I think I take issue with the obstinate bad tippers because they are the minority. Sort of the idea that, if everyone listens to them, all servers are screwed, so nip it in the bud early. Servers generally like tips because they'll generally make more money this way. Restaurants like tips because they generally make more money this way. Most patrons who eat at restaurants are indifferent either way. They'll tip out of habit and they'll generally save money and get a better experience than a system where servers had guaranteed hours and a fixed wage.

There are two things I do believe.
1. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat at a restaurant. I'm not saying there's a set amount you have to give, but deciding not to tip simply because you don't want to pay money is not fair to the person serving.
2. "Too busy" should never be in a server's vocabulary. A good server should be able to do a million things for four different tables that make the experience better and the patron should never know how frantic the server actually is underneath. No matter what, service shouldn't suffer for any reason.

 

[Alex1939]

Second, as I said before, most people lack knowledge of the reality of the restaurant industry. Plenty of people think 15% is the norm because they believe servers make minimum wage. They don't realize that servers get paid 2.23 an hour.

Uh, I don't know anyone (american) that does not know this.



And I'm glad you guys came around to admit that 15% is the correct tip for normal service. Now all you have to do is quit bitching about wanting your 20%.

 

[RoJoHen]

Now all you have to do is quit bitching about wanting your 20%.

Nope. I still do want my 20%.

There is a difference between wanting something and expecting something. I feel like that's what you're not getting.

 

[Alex1939]

Nope. I still do want my 20%.

Might as well say you want 100% then, what's the difference, why stop at 20%?


The reality seems pretty clear that 20% is not an average tip level nor is it considered the threshold for an adequate tip.


You may continue your bitching. I will continue tipping between 15-20% which is normally determined more by the cents following the dollars instead of anything you do.

(And if I'm in and out of your restaurant solo taking up 20 minutes of your time for a burger and a beer... you might only get 10-15%. You should love customers like that though, get em in, get em out, make that money. But you'd probably just put fecal matter in my burger and tell me I'm an ignorant cheap-ass that doesn't understand american customs!!! )

 

[Amaris]

On a general note, expected tips in general just make no sense to me. When someone delivers food, I'm expected to tip the delivery guy. But then what was the delivery fee for? What are his wages like? When I go to a salon, they want me to tip the person who cut my hair, or did my nails. But I just paid $$$ for that service. I have no way of knowing what sort of wages people get whether in the restaurant industry or elsewhere. I'd much rather everything was factored into the original price, and then I could happily tip people for good service without the pressure of knowing that it was expected.

I had a friend who was a pizza delivery boy. He had to provide his own transportation and gas. I believe he was paid minimum wage, but he effectively made less after factoring in those expenses. That was one situation that made no sense. Since the delivery fee never went to him, I wondered where it went.

It's just easier to bitch about the bad tippers than it is to praise the good tippers. Despite the complaints, the majority of people actually are good tippers. Waiting tables is hardly the gamble that people are making it out to be.

Yeah, I think I take issue with the obstinate bad tippers because they are the minority. Sort of the idea that, if everyone listens to them, all servers are screwed, so nip it in the bud early. Servers generally like tips because they'll generally make more money this way. Restaurants like tips because they generally make more money this way. Most patrons who eat at restaurants are indifferent either way. They'll tip out of habit and they'll generally save money and get a better experience than a system where servers had guaranteed hours and a fixed wage.

There are two things I do believe.
1. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat at a restaurant. I'm not saying there's a set amount you have to give, but deciding not to tip simply because you don't want to pay money is not fair to the person serving.
2. "Too busy" should never be in a server's vocabulary. A good server should be able to do a million things for four different tables that make the experience better and the patron should never know how frantic the server actually is underneath. No matter what, service shouldn't suffer for any reason.

Bingo.

I remember tipping a pizza delivery guy $20 because it was the week before Christmas. I swear he just about cried when I wished him a Merry Christmas and handed him that bill. These are shitty jobs where the pay is poor and the server/delivery guy gets the raw end of the deal, so I almost always tip well, save for the instances I mentioned earlier.

 

[Avalon]

Okay, this is interesting -- one etiquette page I just read says to tip on the total before tax, not the final tally! That's news to me. I usually tip 20% on the whole thing. Huh. So, guys -- which way have you been talking about? Pre- tax, or final count?

 

[IndyJones]

Let me clarify...

if you are on here whining about tips, get a REAL JOB. Start a career. Because a waiting job is just not that stressful...

Not for nothing, but I tended to be much more stressed out during my 7 years at McDonald's than I am most days seeing patients as a doctor.