I’ve served plenty of time in the food service industry and I can tell you that the number of restaurants who actually “make up the difference” to minimum wage in the absence of tips is zero. Even though it’s a legal requirement, I’ve never set foot in a restaurant that actually does this.
No one tracks cash tips. And yes, the servers like it that way. Because cash tips are money under the table and they’re not taxed. But your boss ain’t paying you jack shit over that $2.13 an hour because who is going to prove it?
But why is that the customer’s problem? You have legal protection should you wish to pursue it. The fact that you accept the situation shouldn’t mean it’s on everyone else to support it.
I grew up in the US so I’m annoyed by tipping but personally wouldn’t boycott it. But i would also have no issue with those that do. My biggest gripe is this push for 18-20% as a new normal.
…it’s only the customer’s problem if they exploit commercial arrangements where gratuity is expected: 15% for table-service ±5% for quality of service…if you don’t wish to engage that system patronise another restaurant; there are more counter-service options available than ever before these days, no gratuity expected…
…for those stupid card-swipe gratuity options, just ignore the recommendations and do your own math, or manually enter zero if it’s not table-service…i can understand foreign travellers feeling overwhelmed by POS systems proffering gratuity at every turn, but that’s a UI problem which can be completely ignored in every instance other than table-service or similar concierge arrangements, and if someone’s patronising the latter sort of establishment they already know where gratuity is expected…
“not only is this a gross system of exploitation, our law and order government is also completely ignoring the few rules they introduced to lessen the suffering”
Ha.
I’ve served plenty of time in the food service industry and I can tell you that the number of restaurants who actually “make up the difference” to minimum wage in the absence of tips is zero. Even though it’s a legal requirement, I’ve never set foot in a restaurant that actually does this.
No one tracks cash tips. And yes, the servers like it that way. Because cash tips are money under the table and they’re not taxed. But your boss ain’t paying you jack shit over that $2.13 an hour because who is going to prove it?
I believe you when you say this.
But why is that the customer’s problem? You have legal protection should you wish to pursue it. The fact that you accept the situation shouldn’t mean it’s on everyone else to support it.
I grew up in the US so I’m annoyed by tipping but personally wouldn’t boycott it. But i would also have no issue with those that do. My biggest gripe is this push for 18-20% as a new normal.
…it’s only the customer’s problem if they exploit commercial arrangements where gratuity is expected: 15% for table-service ±5% for quality of service…if you don’t wish to engage that system patronise another restaurant; there are more counter-service options available than ever before these days, no gratuity expected…
…for those stupid card-swipe gratuity options, just ignore the recommendations and do your own math, or manually enter zero if it’s not table-service…i can understand foreign travellers feeling overwhelmed by POS systems proffering gratuity at every turn, but that’s a UI problem which can be completely ignored in every instance other than table-service or similar concierge arrangements, and if someone’s patronising the latter sort of establishment they already know where gratuity is expected…
Why should the customer support a tax grift?
“not only is this a gross system of exploitation, our law and order government is also completely ignoring the few rules they introduced to lessen the suffering”
Yep, that’s exactly the size of it.