Entering the restaurant industry, especially as a waiter or waitress, comes with its share of challenges. From managing difficult customers who can be impatient and disrespectful to enduring the physical strain of standing all day, the demands are significant.
One of the primary issues revolves around pay, which tends to be notably low. Due to the expectation of receiving tips, restaurant owners in the U.S. are allowed to compensate servers below the federal minimum wage.
In 21 states, servers earn a meager $2.13 per hour before tips. According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, nearly 15% of the country's 2.4 million waiters and waitresses live in poverty, surpassing the 7% poverty rate among all workers. These individuals often rely on public assistance and are less likely to have access to benefits like paid sick leave or health coverage.
Instances of customers being extremely rude and refusing to tip are not uncommon. One such incident involved Taylar Cordova, a waitress who received no tip on a $187.43 bill. Her frustration led her to share the bill online, drawing attention to the disrespectful treatment of service workers. The post garnered over 12,000 shares.
The caption read:
‘“This. This is the reason I work so much. This is why I cry in the shower. I STRUGGLE to put clothes on my daughter’s back and food in our bellies because of THIS. You, are the lowest of the low. Whenever you feel like it’s probably fine to not tip your server, that’s one more bill stacking up because they’re short on money. This is food for the week that our families will go without because you didn’t think it was necessary, even after asking for everything under the sun and receiving it free of charge, mind you. This is one less basic necessity my daughter needs because even TWO more dollars is too much for you.
Every decision has a consequence. Servers are paid a base pay of $2-5/hr depending on the employer, so next time you don’t want to tip, regardless of the situation prior to receiving your bill, think about how much you would have to work that week off $2-5/hr to feed your family, not just you. Could you pay your bills based on that pay alone? Could you feed your family AND yourself? Because that’s what happens when you choose to not tip. Please, please tip your servers. Even if it was the worst service you’ve ever received. A 10% tip is a big enough slap in the face, this completely tore me apart. Don’t even bother walking into a restaurant if you can’t afford to tip. There’s a McDonald’s down the street if you’re that cheap.”
Despite these challenges, there's hope on the horizon for servers. Eater notes that several states, including New York, have increased or eliminated the lower tipped minimum wage, with others likely to follow suit. This shift is crucial, considering the National Restaurant Association's projection that 12.9 million individuals will be employed in the restaurant industry by year's end, constituting 10% of the U.S. workforce.
Originally published on May 16, 2017, remember to share this article with your loved ones.
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