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Why does the waitstaff get paid tips to do their job?

A

Arkitech

Diamond Member
I know it's customary in the US to tip their server, but why?? Don't get me wrong, I follow the custom when I go out. However it does merit asking why is it "expected" that you pay someone extra for simply doing their job? There's nothing wrong with tipping someone if you feel they provided really good service, but why is it an issue if someone does'nt tip? If anyone should be tipped I would think it would be the police or the military. Anyone who puts their life at risk for the safety of others would merit special consideration, refilling my glass of water does'nt really seem all that special. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that people in the service industry do not work hard (I work in the service industry as well), I just don't see why bring drinks/food to a table while smiling means you automatically deserve extra money.
 
IronWing said:
Servers also don't get minimum wage. It is a system that primarily benefits the restaurant/bar owner.
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Interesting information about that here:

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm

What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage to covered, nonexempt employees. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equals at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Some states have minimum wage laws specific to tipped employees. When an employee is subject to both the federal and state wage laws, the employee is entitled to the provisions which provides the greater benefits.
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Why do you shake someones hand? Why do you take your hat off inside (doesn't seem to happen much anymore)? Why do you wear a tie and slacks to an interview (doesn't happen much anymore)? Why do you stand when a woman does (doesn't seem to happen much anymore)? Why do you open a door for a lady (doesn't seem to happen much anymore)?

Just like these examples and many more, tipping in the USA is a custom. People who disregard and flaunt customs and social graces, do so at their own peril. It's the glue that holds society together. Our country is made up of a huge variety of Nationalities, beliefs and, ways of living. The more you disparage, disregard and, ignore custom, the more hostile you appear to people who do not share your ways of living, beliefs and, perspective. Is it artificial? Yes it is and necessarily so. Customs and social graces are a framework for integrating peoples of vastly different backgrounds.

Now, get off my lawn, punk!
Sorry, the gang bangers keep reminding me I can't call people punks now. 😀
 
JEDI said:
why not eliminate the $2.13 rule?
just have EVERYONE get paid at least minimum wage?
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They do get paid minimal wage if their tips do not equal at least that.

Paying them minimal wage would mean the restaurant then takes all the tips if in a lower / medium class restaurant to make up for the increased cost otherwise they would charge you more for food.

This helps to make sure the employees do a better job otherwise more would act like jerks.
 
The restaurant business is a crappy model. While there are a lot of decent places, it seems most are opened and run by idiots that think they'll hit big money for subpar food and service.
 
In college I worked at a place that paid minimum and you kept your tips, but it was a waiter/bartender type gig. Mostly, wait staff gets paid very little, and I have no problem tipping 15-20% (more if it's a special thing or the service is amazing).
 
Newbian said:
They do get paid minimal wage if their tips do not equal at least that.

Paying them minimal wage would mean the restaurant then takes all the tips if in a lower / medium class restaurant to make up for the increased cost otherwise they would charge you more for food.
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The way some restaurants handle tips has nothing to do with the cost of goods or menu prices. The idea that the business or management is entitled to any of the tips is a very strange one that I've only come across recently as at all common. I use the word 'strange' because not all the companies doing this are run by scumbags although I don't personally know anyone doing business this way. As someone who's worked in the food industry for more than 30 years all over the country, this is a very disturbing trend. I would recommend anyone working as a waiter at a company who does this, should leave and find a restaurant that doesn't take or share tips in that way.
 
I think most of us here our first jobs was in the service industry or worked some type of food service job so we know it is hard work. I know some people in those positions may give crappy service and don't deserve a nickel - but at the end of the day people are really busting their asses for little pay to just pay their bills.

If the waiter/waitress made my dinner/lunch/breakfast experience enjoyable I would leave up to 50% tip... but if service is subpar I would leave the minimum 15%...because I know some people may not be happy at their job but they have bills like all of us.

Anyhow, I think we should make a thread like this a sticky - we get at least one or two new threads like this a month...🙄
 
Arkitech said:
Interesting information about that here:
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I've been providing that exact same information in tipping threads here for years and people continue to ignore it.

Even after you have posted it, there will be people who come in this thread and say they aren't paid the legal wage.
 
JEDI said:
why not eliminate the $2.13 rule?
just have EVERYONE get paid at least minimum wage?
Click to expand...

It's not a rule. Are you not listening? They absolutely get paid minimum wage (most make well over it). If no one tips ever, ever, ever the waiter still get's paid at lease minimum wage.
 
Newbian said:
They do get paid minimal wage if their tips do not equal at least that.

Paying them minimal wage would mean the restaurant then takes all the tips if in a lower / medium class restaurant to make up for the increased cost otherwise they would charge you more for food.

This helps to make sure the employees do a better job otherwise more would act like jerks.
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Umm no they do not!!
Sorry to tell you but thats just not true!!
Sure it says they should...but how many waiters and waqitresses disclose all their tips??

None......

Sure they are suppose to...but nobody is standing over tyheir shboulders saying.....remember Mr. Jognstons $200.00 tip...don`t forget to declare...
 
Vic Vega said:
It's not a rule. Are you not listening? They absolutely get paid minimum wage (most make well over it). If no one tips ever, ever, ever the waiter still get's paid at lease minimum wage.
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No they don`t........

The problem is this is not enforceable by the employer.......
Nobody will believe that you did not make any tip money....

this is not a black and white area.....there is a lot of gray......
 
JEDIYoda said:
No they don`t........

The problem is this is not enforceable by the employer.......
Nobody will believe that you did not make any tip money....

this is not a black and white area.....there is a lot of gray......
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This is why the law requires you to report your tips genius. I think you do not understand real life, post less, go outside, stop speaking about things which you have no experience.
 
Drako said:
Incentive to do a good job. It's just that simple.
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Exactly, I like the way it works. When in Europe I consistently received poor service in restaurants, and I think that's mostly because their pay really has no bearing on their job performance.
 
I'd rather them get paid real wages then having to tip them but this is a shitty rule that supposedly keeps prices down. It may but after paying their tip (I spend $10 on a $60 tap tonight), I really doubt I would get out any cheaper despite what they want you to believe.
 
JEDIYoda said:
Umm no they do not!!
Sorry to tell you but thats just not true!!
Sure it says they should...but how many waiters and waqitresses disclose all their tips??

None......

Sure they are suppose to...but nobody is standing over tyheir shboulders saying.....remember Mr. Jognstons $200.00 tip...don`t forget to declare...
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Except you are required to report them and it's a great way to get fired / reported when you don't.

And yes the management is there to do just that and watch employees to make sure they report it to protect the companies ass also.

They absolutely get paid minimal wage at least and that's where reporting them comes into play to also make sure they are making at least that.
 
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MagnusTheBrewer said:
The way some restaurants handle tips has nothing to do with the cost of goods or menu prices. The idea that the business or management is entitled to any of the tips is a very strange one that I've only come across recently as at all common. I use the word 'strange' because not all the companies doing this are run by scumbags although I don't personally know anyone doing business this way. As someone who's worked in the food industry for more than 30 years all over the country, this is a very disturbing trend. I would recommend anyone working as a waiter at a company who does this, should leave and find a restaurant that doesn't take or share tips in that way.
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I am talking about being forced to pay the employees minimal wage always instead of how it currently works.

Making that extra cost to pay higher wages is when it could force increased prices or using the tips to offset it if people demand the wages are higher.

You can either have cheaper prices and tip or higher prices and no tip.
 
MagickMan said:
Exactly, I like the way it works. When in Europe I consistently received poor service in restaurants, and I think that's mostly because their pay really has no bearing on their job performance.
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Then you are going to rubbish restaurants.

Tipping does nothing to ensure you get good service in a restaurant. There are countries that don't do tipping at all, where you'll get service that is as good as, if not better, than the service you can get in the US.

In Europe/Asia, you'll get poorer service in the lower end restaurants. In the better establishments, you'll get better service.

In the US, you'll get poorer service in the lower end restaurants. In the better establishments, you'll get better service.

That's all there it to it, and that's how it works in other industries as well. There is nothing magical about the restaurant industry whereby pixy dust gets sprinkled over every bar, cafe, and restaurant meaning that the only way to get good service is with tips.
 
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