Why dont people that work minimum wage jobs just go wait tables instead?

[miri]

I mean waiting tables is still not a very good job but in most cases it beats $5.15 a hour.

 

[dullard]

Because those jobs are taken already.

 

[kranky]

It's a job that's not necessarily a good fit with some people's personalities, available work hours or personal appearance.

 

[chrisms]

George Bush doesn't care about black people.

 

[Ryan]

I say deliver pizza - pays min. wage, but with tips it can easily be 3x+ that amount

 

[robothouse77]

Originally posted by: miri
I mean waiting tables is still not a very good job but in most cases it beats $5.15 a hour.

where can you actually find a company that pays this? i've never seen 5.15 an hour. it's always at least 6. have you actually known someone that makes this wage?

EDIT: ok, makes min. wage WITHOUT tips

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: dullard
Because those jobs are taken already.

Ive worked in restaurants my entire college career and every single one is always hiring, the turnover rate in the restaurant industry is among the highest. It is not hard to get a job waiting tables.

 

[bmacd]

it takes a special personality to be a good server...it's not always about bringing out the food ontime, it's kissing people's asses or pretending to care that a lot of people can't do.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: bmacd
it takes a special personality to be a good server...it's not always about bringing out the food ontime, it's kissing people's asses or pretending to care that a lot of people can't do.

-=bmacd=-

Those are better restaurants. There are cheaper restaurants out there....

 

[BSEagle1]

Well, you gotta consider that not everyone can go do this or that job. In addition to preference of work, there isn't an infinite number of those job positions for people to just 'go do'. Plus, what about the other jobs?

Yes, being a Vice President of X Company is better money than construction. But if all construction workers went to go be Vice Presidents, who would build things? All jobs have their place, and without some of them (even the minimum wage jobs), other jobs wouldn't function.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: robothouse77
where can you actually find a company that pays this? i've never seen 5.15 an hour. it's always at least 6. have you actually known someone that makes this wage?

All over the midwest companies pay that. In my hometown you have 3 choices: minimum wage, Walmart for a quarter over minimum wage, or factory (slaughterhouse) for a bit more (about $8 an hour). If you can't afford a vehicle to drive out of town to the factory jobs, then you are stuck with minimum wage.

Originally posted by: miri
Ive worked in restaurants my entire college career and every single one is always hiring, the turnover rate in the restaurant industry is among the highest. It is not hard to get a job waiting tables.

My home town was Columbus, Nebraska. 20,000 people. A waiter/waitress job was often a 2-3 year waiting list. That is, you must work doing dishes/hosting for minimum wage until the waiters/waitresses ahead of you quit.

 

[robothouse77]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: robothouse77
where can you actually find a company that pays this? i've never seen 5.15 an hour. it's always at least 6. have you actually known someone that makes this wage?

All over the midwest companies pay that. In my hometown you have 3 choices: minimum wage, Walmart for a quarter over minimum wage, or factory (slaughterhouse) for a bit more. If you can't afford a vehicle to drive out of town to the factory jobs, then you are stuck with minimum wage.

Originally posted by: miri
Ive worked in restaurants my entire college career and every single one is always hiring, the turnover rate in the restaurant industry is among the highest. It is not hard to get a job waiting tables.

My home town was Columbus, Nebraska. 20,000 people. A waiter/waitress job was often a 2-3 year waiting list. That is, you must work doing dishes/hosting for minimum wage until the waiters/waitresses ahead of you quit.

hmm, ok, what's the standard of living like? does it cost like 10 bucks to go to the movies like everywhere else?

 

[FoBoT]

would i have to talk to people? that would get annoying

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: robothouse77
hmm, ok, what's the standard of living like? does it cost like 10 bucks to go to the movies like everywhere else?

I haven't gone to a movie there in 15 years. I'd estimate the movie to be ~$5 now. Housing is fairly cheap ($300 a month apartments are common). But actual goods (computers, cars, food) is all the same price as anywhere else.

 

[PingSpike]

Because waiting tables is actually really fvcking hard, and not everyone is cut out for it.

I think women fair better at it for a couple reasons:
1) They get better tips than guys because:
a) Men pay women for being pretty. You do it, you just might not realize or admit it.
b) Women are nicer then men, in general...so they can deal with the sh|t better.
2) Women are better multitaskers...I don't know about most guys but I can't even talk on the phone and write my name at the same time much less keep track of 10 tables and who ordered what. I tried being a waiter once, it was terrible. I've never felt so incompetent in my life.

So tip well, waitstaff is fvcking hard work.

 

[BD2003]

How much do waiters make on average when tips are accounted for anyway?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: BD2003
How much do waiters make on average when tips are accounted for anyway?

I know it isn't an average but:

Waiters at high end restaurants make $100,000 a year while the chef who's food you came for makes $30,000.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: BD2003
How much do waiters make on average when tips are accounted for anyway?

Way to random, depending on the restaurant, the location, the level of service given, the clientele, the particular business level for that day. But a competent waiter should be able to make more than minimum wage.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: miri
Way to random, depending on the restaurant, the location, the level of service given, the clientele, the particular business level for that day. But a competent waiter should be able to make more than minimum wage.

By federal law, they must make at least minimum wage. That is, if their tips are insufficient, by law, the company must raise their salary that day to meet minimum wage. Thus yes, all waiters should make more than minimum wage.

 

[BD2003]

Ok then, so how much do you think the average waiter makes after tips at your local neighborhood applebees or small restaurant?

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Ok then, so how much do you think the average waiter makes after tips at your local neighborhood applebees or small restaurant?

Dunno, maybe $8-15 a hour?

 

[eakers]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: miri
Way to random, depending on the restaurant, the location, the level of service given, the clientele, the particular business level for that day. But a competent waiter should be able to make more than minimum wage.

By federal law, they must make at least minimum wage. That is, if their tips are insufficient, by law, the company must raise their salary that day to meet minimum wage. Thus yes, all waiters should make more than minimum wage.

in ontario the minimum wage for those that recieve gratuities is like 1.50/hour less than the regular minimum wage

 

[BigJ]

The truth of the matter is, at most smaller places, you are paid off the books (waiting or delivering). For many people, getting paid off the books is not an option.

For example, I'm getting a little bit above minimum wage ($7.50/hour) at one job. If I was to wait or delivery pizzas off the books (which I've done before), I can guarantee you I'd be making anywhere from $12-$20/hour. The problem is, I need employment history so I can get a better rate and higher amount on my college loans.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: eakers
in ontario the minimum wage for those that recieve gratuities is like 1.50/hour less than the regular minimum wage

Sorry, I don't know Canadian laws. In the US, the minimum is less for those who recieve gratuities. BUT, if at the end of the day your wage + gratuities is less than what you would have earned with minimum wage, then for that day, your wage must be increased to at least match minimum wage.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: BD2003
Ok then, so how much do you think the average waiter makes after tips at your local neighborhood applebees or small restaurant?

Dunno, maybe $8-15 a hour?

At Applebees, I'd guess probably around $8-$12 an hour.

Believe it or not, small restaurants are some of the best places to waiter at. You can easily pull in anywhere from $10-$20/hour (normally, not exclusively on weekends), and if you do parties, you can easily pull in $20-$30/hour.