Dear fellow person,
I’m going to start off with saying that, we are people just like you. We pay bills, feed families, and do anything in our power to get by, just like you. However, unlike you, we depend on your generosity and interactions to get us by on our expenses and costs. We do not receive paychecks like you do biweekly. Of course we get very small ones, usually consisting of 100 or less for the two weeks worked, but that’s obviously not going to cover how much it cost to just be human. I’m not coming off to attack or blame or criticize, but to show you our perspective on it all. Bear with me, I know there are some arguable points with this topic and I’m going to address them shortly. I’m actually going to pull a few real examples, that people have said on social media on a picture about tipping.
The first comment that stuck out to me was, “If you don't like the way you're being paid then find another job!” Many of us absolutely love our job and interacting with people the way we do. We love to serve and make your stay as best as possible. Yes, another job is an option and many of us do have second jobs, with this job to try and make the last bit of ends meet. However, tips really really do help us out and we are more than thankful for them. You are making our day and shift so much better with even just $5. Of course it’s not the optimal way to get paid, but if we all quit and found another job because we’re not too fond of how our pay system works, then society would have no one left to serve their food.
The next comment I saw was, “It's the employer's responsibility to pay you.” While it is legally our employer's responsibility to pay our hourly wage, they’re stuck in a rock and a hard spot as well. Many servers work for bigger industries that start off at a much higher level and chains. It is simply not possible to change our wage from what it was. It was set around $2-3 by federal and state laws. That was set by the guy on top and our employers couldn’t change that if they tried. Being that we get that wage hourly, it is very kind and generous of you to help us out. We love to serve anyway, but it makes it much more rewarding when we get the tips and know we will be able to afford to live. The uncertainty of not being able to get by with your pay, could make anyone sink into themselves. The more tips, the happier we are and all around better. We appreciate it immensely, and can’t thank those who do tip enough.
The next one is a somewhat valid point, “OK...but if I get crappy service, why would I tip?” Bad service could make anyone want to leave and never come back again, not to mention question why they would even tip. If you get very bad service, we don’t expect you to tip. I’m not addressing bad service in this. I am addressing the idea that many great and hospitable servers get overlooked because many people don’t understand why tipping is so essential.
“Just get a real job. It’s not that hard.” This comment brings me back to the first statement. If we were all to get something that you would call a “real job,” who would serve your food? Being a server is a real job. We work for eight to maybe even 12 hours a day on our feet with no required breaks. We run around all day to assure that your drinks are filled, your food is delivered on time, to make sure the kitchen and bar are making your drinks correctly and dealing with not so pleasant people at times. That’s OK. We are not complaining because as I said we do love our job, but to say that serving isn’t a real job is just crazy; mind blowing.
Last but not least, the most common argument, “it's not against the law to not tip.” This is obvious and clear to everyone. It is not against the law to not tip your server who is working their butt off to make sure your stay is amazing. Whatever. I get it. It’s just unkind and upsetting to your server when you do not. Knowing that our pay rate is so low and that we do depend on tips whether we like it or not, then not tipping is very insensitive. Yes, we understand the job we took and that it would depend on tips, but you also understand that when you go out to eat you’re expected to tip for good service.
It is neither of our faults that the system is set up this way but we have to play along with it. You know it is expected when you go out because of the society we are in. It is not our fault that is our way of making an income. If we are to blame or be angry with the system, blame the system. Please do not blame the servers for needing to rely on your generosity. We are always very thankful for your tips and leave feeling better when we receive them. We don’t expect high tips or anything. Just please do not leave the restaurant with no tip for your lovely server. Please have some courtesy for our position as well.
P.S. If it is “against your morals to tip,” please tell your server that prior to your service.
