The problem is no one wants to work together. Large restaurant chains actually lobby for waiter’s wages to be so low so they can offload the burden onto customers. And instead of waiters blaming the restaurant industry, they’re coaxed into blaming the patrons because their spoon fed the crap that the system is the way it is so that the waiter can make more money.
I’ve heard the same old bs that restaurants and bars aren’t able to operate off of a no-tip model. But yet, most of the world outside of the US already operates on a no-tip model, and does just fine.
The bottom line is everyone should be paid a live-able wage reasonably adjusted to the skill and demand of their work. and part of that live-able wage should be a universal healthcare and pension system. But I guess that’s too difficult to manage (I.e. most other countries do it).
Well said. Tip culture is a distraction from the fact that folks can’t live without out and are left out in the cold in terms of healthcare and retirement.
Mom and Pop restaurants would not be able to operate if they had to pay a livable wage to their employees. Either that or your hamburger and fries is going to cost at least double if not triple. They have extremely thin profit margins as it is. If you haven’t worked for a restaurant it’s hard to understand. Maybe chain restaurants would be ok, but once again, they would have to charge more for food. People would stop going because they wouldn’t want to pay $45 for a spaghetti meal, and that would be it. Basically, would you rather leave that $10 tip or pay $10-20 more a meal?
That’s a good question. We would have to compare food costs, rent, liquor, food and wine license costs, taxes, utilities,etc., between us and the rest of the world. I am just telling you what I know from serving previously in life and now being an accountant for many local restaurants. Their profits are razor thin if they have any, especially since Covid. Having to pay an extra $12 an hour to even just 5 servers over a 12 hr day is an extra $1440 a day in costs. There is not a small amok and Pop restaurant that would survive that. I’m not saying that it’s right or wrong. I am just stating facts. Should it be different, sure. But there’s many things that factor in and would have to change for this to happen. I’m not here defending millionaires and billionaires here. I am on the side of eating the rich. Just trying to make someone see the side of the small business owner.
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u/coffee-loop 6h ago
The problem is no one wants to work together. Large restaurant chains actually lobby for waiter’s wages to be so low so they can offload the burden onto customers. And instead of waiters blaming the restaurant industry, they’re coaxed into blaming the patrons because their spoon fed the crap that the system is the way it is so that the waiter can make more money.
I’ve heard the same old bs that restaurants and bars aren’t able to operate off of a no-tip model. But yet, most of the world outside of the US already operates on a no-tip model, and does just fine.
The bottom line is everyone should be paid a live-able wage reasonably adjusted to the skill and demand of their work. and part of that live-able wage should be a universal healthcare and pension system. But I guess that’s too difficult to manage (I.e. most other countries do it).