It would be nice if tipping was just gone, and everybody got paid a living wage, like in most of the rest of the world. We're in a Nash equilibrium right now where if you don't tip, you're an asshole. Other people might even tip more if they hear about it, which reinforces the status quo. So I keep tipping well, and disliking that we're stuck here.
How can we end tipping culture and just have everyone be paid a living wage?
Funny how the people taking the tips aren't the ones bitching. Worked for a payroll firm with a bunch of restaurant clients. Some of those people make bank.
Yeah, although the problem is that a lot of times the amount they make tends to correlate with their race and physical attractiveness, not the quality of service provided. The amount they get paid also varies a lot with which shift they get and just how the restaurant is doing in general.
But yeah most servers make a lot more than, say, retail workers or back of house people, which I'd say have comparable qualifications.
But we agree that the problem isn't that waitresses are making too much, but rather that cooks and cashiers are making too little.
I think you could also argue that customers deserve a more transparent price structure, but honestly? The system is the way it is, it's been that way for my entire life, and it's probably not going to change any time soon, so I'm not really all that fussed by it. And another thing? If you're one of those people who's like, "I am against the tipping system and therefore I am not going to tip," you're not actually making any sort of point that's going to change anyone's mind, you're just fucking over a server that depends on those tips, and that makes you an asshole. Also? If we ever actually did eliminate tipping, you're just going to see menu prices go up by (at least) 20%, not all of which will probably actually make it into the pockets of the workers.
Now all of the stuff about asking for tips for roles where previously tips were never expected is a different issue. People need to learn to be grownups and give no tip. Even if you have to manually type in 0 for the tip. Even if the person at the register is looking you in the eye when you do it. The situation is very different for people who are making tipped minimum wage vs untipped.
Damn I love your thoughts! We should be friends!
Yes, there are prejudices built in, agreed. While not condoning those prejudices, if bigotry is hurting your earning power, maybe it's not the job for you? (Gods, I hated having to say that.) Anecdotally, I top attractive people less if they're fake. Fuck all that, "Yes sir!", "Absolutely sir!" crap. I still remember a waiter from 20-years ago that was top of class. No ass kissing, no subservient shit, spot on with doing his job, which was helping us enjoy our meal. We tipped hell out of that guy, and got a sweet recipe hand-written! (LOL, and stolen!)
If you're a top earner at a nice place, you get the best shift. That's simply doing a good job and getting rewarded. Worked for me at Lowe's, works for my wife at her job where "no one" gets weekends off, except her. And she an immigrant in a very white, solid red part of the country.
And if the restaurant's fortunes suck? Skilled servers can easily leave for a better place. OK, we can argue "easily".
As to qualifications? I've only worked back-of-house, but yeah, I'd say they are more qualified, but may not be too presentable to the public. :)
We on the same page sounds like.
Funny typo.