Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Wendypeffy t1_j5at3go wrote

As someone who was a server and bartender for 14 years….I would never ever trade tipping for a flat rate of pay. You could pay me $15 an hour and I would have still been taking a loss. I feel like this “Pay the servers better” is coming from people who just don’t like tipping, not from the employees themselves. As servers we do get paid a minimum wage and if during the pay period we don’t earn an average of state minimum, we do get compensated to make up for the shortage. In 14 years that has never happened to me though. Of course there are tons of variables here but this is my anecdotal experience.

12

Weirdbutnotcrazy t1_j5av8pb wrote

Agree. Full time servers at Lambert's pre pandemic gross with tips about $100k yr....nights and weekends and every holiday......

2

But_Ox OP t1_j5awhd1 wrote

Consider the playing field. Your specific position does not speak to the eniquailty factor. It only suports what you have experienced. The nuance is greater and not equal to those who do same work but who are subjected to less pay.

−6

Wendypeffy t1_j5bmfrf wrote

Read my last sentence. I did mention variables and anecdotal “evidence” for my point. You wanted to discuss and I threw in my 2 cents. Just offering a common perspective from those I’ve encountered in my years of experience working with hundreds of other servers through the years. We all greatly value our tip situation. I only met ONE server that felt like pay was unfair. The rest of them appreciated working 20-30 hours a week and making as much as full time hourly workers. Every job has its ups and downs.

8

But_Ox OP t1_j5bom6j wrote

"Of course tons of variables" vs the weight of your larger and initial position. I stand firm with your bias as it does not negate the imposition of this inherent problem. You must see that all thing being equal, the system, as is, is a far cry from effort=pay

−6

Wendypeffy t1_j5cb3q3 wrote

So you don’t want a discussion. You want to argue. I get it.

8

But_Ox OP t1_j5cjjcv wrote

Where you got that is all in you.

−4

But_Ox OP t1_j5cridc wrote

Discussion yes. And you are WAY too happy with your $ stream to consider the average server. So from your elite position, I say a grand FUCK U

−7

erichkutslilpp t1_j59wysw wrote

Why not open your own restaurant and pay the wait staff minimum wage? If it works out, you'll surely put pressure on other businesses to do the same. You wouldn't be forcing anyone to do anything and could still enact the change you wish to see via leading by example.

6

But_Ox OP t1_j59yr8r wrote

Lets drop the tipping culture. Its antiquated.

6

Always_0421 t1_j5djbla wrote

The majority of servers and bar tenders would make FAR less if tipping culture were eliminated amd replaced with a flat hourly wage.

3

Punnchy t1_j5abzlr wrote

So wait, businesses can still get away with not paying claimed tips differential? Da fuq.

5

But_Ox OP t1_j5aj9ua wrote

Huh?

−9

Punnchy t1_j5bj14b wrote

Okay so back a decade ago when I would take that potential loss and non-standard set hours, one of the places I worked server where expected to pay the difference to the point of minimum wage if you didn't make enough in tips, however if you where cut then you had 30 minute to get all side work done and be clocked out. I learned quickly that volatility wasn't for me too tho.

2

Cloud_Disconnected t1_j5aiocz wrote

Springfield's unemployment rate is 2.8%.

3

But_Ox OP t1_j5ctkop wrote

What a dumb thing to quote out of nowhere

−1

But_Ox OP t1_j5aj406 wrote

Eggscelent number fellow

−2

Cloud_Disconnected t1_j5ajy7b wrote

So what does that mean you should do?

2

But_Ox OP t1_j5av2ul wrote

Post about inequity

0

Cloud_Disconnected t1_j5axpxu wrote

I was not aware wait staff had become a protected class.

0

But_Ox OP t1_j5b11k1 wrote

You said this. No one else

2

Cloud_Disconnected t1_j5b60b8 wrote

You're the one who said "discuss." Discuss how this post relates to inequity.

I think you'd be better off posting your resume on Indeed than posting about inequity on Reddit. But that depends on if your goal is to make a positive change in your life, or just succumb to learned helplessness.

4

But_Ox OP t1_j5b80tv wrote

Reply is triggered. It is you that says this

−2

armenia4ever t1_j5b30oz wrote

Its a double edged sword, but at last the wait staff get tips. (Sucks to be a bus boy, host, etc.

  1. A lot alot of business dont report tips - which semi benefits them as well as employees, but also probably means less of a tax return because of less claimed income.
  2. This also means that alot of businesses - mostly food sector - can make servers end up skipping their breaks and lunches and working early and later hours for prep and closing where you cant make any tips. (Surprisingly, no one wants to close.) Because you are getting paid-under-the-table by not reporting tips, you have to tolerate missing your lunches and breaks. (Very shitty.)

The upside though is that if you are extroverted, outgoing, attractive, charismatic or any combination of those you will probably make at least double the minimum tipped wage of where you work at least. Ive known servers to easily rake in 75k a year and not much of that ends up getting taxed if its cash tips, so you effectively are making more than 75k. (For instance $13 an hour untaxed is close to $17?)

But what about the rest of the workers who dont fall into any of those categories and people either stiff them or dont tip much for whatever reason? You are working a job with those existing negatives of prep, close, not getting your breaks and lunches, etc.

There is the Seattle approach where some restaurants just got rid of tipping and added a 20% gratuity that was shared with the staff. (This is when Seattle made the minimum wage 15$ regardless of wait staff or not.)

Some staff liked it, but as you can imagine others didnt. (Probably the ones who would have made more money with tips based on various characteristics.) The downside to that is prices when up with basically all the restaurants, and this was before the pandemic and inflation.

If you were a family of 4 with a budget of 40$ including the tip, you probably cant go out anymore. Dining out becomes a privilege of the upper middle class with the exception of places like Steak-N-Shake or fast food.

At some point there's gonna have to be a massive change to how the restaurant industry works.

3

BrianArmstro t1_j5dt1eb wrote

I feel bad for the cooks. They get raked over the coals when it’s busy but end up making 50% less than the average server, working as hard, if not harder than the servers. Doesn’t seem fair to me and some of my friends that were cooks got out of the industry because it made them so mad hearing the servers complain about “only making $100” that night when that’s more than they took home everyday.

2

fastbartender t1_j5gca8i wrote

Nah. Making way more than minimum wage is easy at the right places for the right people. Don’t accept a job at the wrong places and work on your skills if you don’t have the abilities. It would also make it more difficult for locally owned restaurants.

3

But_Ox OP t1_j5ak17h wrote

The State of Oregon has min wage for servers. Hasnt broke them yet. Comment is for the opposition here.

1

throwawayyyycuk t1_j5arl5t wrote

Honestly I don’t think Springfield mo sub is the right place for this, although I do have an opinion,

This is more of a catch all sub for like, vaguely political but certainly local events, people asking about crime, people asking where the cheapest tacos are, and people complaining about driving.

I would suggest maybe asking r/antimoneymemes about servers being paid minimum wage

1

But_Ox OP t1_j5ave9s wrote

I have to counter this by saying this sub is about everything Springfield. Livelihood fits this platform.

3

throwawayyyycuk t1_j5avsdr wrote

Fair enough, I’m just saying if your goal is to gain a new perspective on wages then this may not be the place, however if you want to spread the discourse by all means continue

1

But_Ox OP t1_j5aynaa wrote

For sure. My post was to excersise my frustration with the system and it being a local one that others may understand, I chose to post here

1

throwawayyyycuk t1_j5b1iti wrote

Good for you, you should be frustrated. The system is broken and is only getting worse

1

throwawayyyycuk t1_j5astx4 wrote

My opinion is that servers should be paid above minimum wage across the board, missouris minimum wage just got increased recently which is good, but with inflation it’s still far below the living wage from like the 70s. Fed min wage is a absolute joke. I am surprised missouris is as high as it is though, considering Springfield is very inexpensive to live in (compared to other cities of its size) it sort of works out, but rent is only going up my friend.

To a lesser point, I’ve never been a waiter but my friends who have been definitely had nights that made up for them making UNDER minimum wage because there were tipped so well, but at the same time the working conditions forced them to do the job of the waitstaff, the busser, seating people and a bunch of managerial duties they were in no way compensated for.

Lastly, they should unionize, big chains like Olive Garden first and then generally.

2

But_Ox OP t1_j5corz2 wrote

You defending. Its literally minimum wage. Says volumes how MO is in the dirt for pay. This part of the country is dirt b/c of classist selves that you have become. Continuing class slavery is your opporituining to slave. Stay true?

1

PixelSteel t1_j5d78r3 wrote

Coffee shops do the same thing, it's annoying

1

[deleted] t1_j59u3az wrote

[deleted]

−6

417SKCFAN t1_j59wnmc wrote

Yes, because once companies aren’t forced to pay a minimum wage, they will surely start paying more than minimum wage. Who knew it’s been the law keeping people poor all this time.

11

But_Ox OP t1_j59xc5t wrote

My post was prompted by a culture shock moment. When I asked for an application for a front of house pizza place job, they said it paid 1/2 minimum wage. I then asked what was the average tip take home after shift. Was told depends on the server. No TY!

6

417SKCFAN t1_j59zphs wrote

And I agree completely, tipping culture pisses me off, companies who refuse to compensate their employees while shoving that responsibility on to the customers are the problem. The suggestion to just eliminate minimum wage was what I replied to.

3

But_Ox OP t1_j5a1hfk wrote

We are same page. Tippping culture has benefited me, but it's too volatile. End of day, it's an antiquated delivery system that is not dependable

2

But_Ox OP t1_j59vyek wrote

Humble brag here. I get my eggs for $2.5 for a long time now b/c my mechanic and his wifey have chickens. Best eggs b/c yoke is proper yellow and shells brake easy ( store bought egg shells hard af )

3

BlueCoatYellowBoots t1_j59z8q7 wrote

Those eggs crack easy because your friend's birds aren't getting enough calcium in their diet. Oyster shells will do the trick.

12

But_Ox OP t1_j5a0mgh wrote

I LOVE the easy crack/I won't suggest more calcium b/c its not my place to be picky about quality. However, I thank you for the education on this

1

Caleb_F__ t1_j5azwvp wrote

Do they brake easy because they come from a mechanic?

3

DirtyOldSamurai t1_j5a53o2 wrote

Literally. Society will get so much better if people can feel safe and secure financially. Like things would get WAY better if the GOP and hood portion of dems would stop being so damn oppressive to the working and impoverished. Whatever at this point it’s a fucking pipe dream.

2

But_Ox OP t1_j5a5hsx wrote

Exactally. Pay based on effort. That becomes a living wage. How is this hard?

−1

But_Ox OP t1_j5a5nzm wrote

Said effort said minimum pay. Go up from there

0