Tipping catches workers between customer whims and employer exploitation. But some states and businesses are changing their ways.
Two weeks ago, a story about a wealthy California business executive leaving a 1 percent tip on a $133 lunch bill went viral on the Internet. Supposedly, the banker wrote "Get a real job" on the receipt as a smarmy reinforcement of his own status as a member of the 1 percent and as a put-down of the Occupy movement.
The restaurant in question quickly provided evidence that the damning receipt was Photoshopped. But it spread like wildfire because a rich businessman treating a waiter like garbage sounded true to many people. In recent months, the poor treatment of restaurant labor has received increased media attention. People inundate comment sections on blog posts and news stories about restaurants, sharing their own horror stories.
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The last I can remember, servers only pay 8% in taxes on their tips and we all know that for the most part they make much more than that.
ReplyDeleteA good bartender can make anywhere from $80 to over $300 on a good night in tips alone. Some are as much using the system, as anyone on welfare if they are cheating on their taxes.
I've worked in the restaurant field a long, long time and know well what I'm talking about. I'm usually a 20+% tipper if all is well.
I have a someone in the family that has 6 years of psychology under the belt and makes a lot more money working in a nice restaurant than she can at any social service job.
As far as people stiffing a server, they are just butt munches, many don't believe they only make $2.13 an hour. Others make up for the cheap skates though.
I should add to the above how the 8% comes about. IRS wants servers to report at least 8% of their total food and alcohol sales as their tips. That's how it's calculated for tax purposes, lot of room for some nip and tuck there.
ReplyDeleteLawn care is another good place to make cash and cook the books. Cash is cash, charge and checks are income!