Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa
Two observations.
1. Europe has a more stratified society than we do. Food servers are unlikely to aspire to a higher level on the social scale than the position they hold. The pay is adequate and their job is secure, so they are content. Many Americans are engaged in food service to support their aspirations to move up in education, employment, income and social status.
Barbara's granddaughter worked in food service while working her way through Texas State University. Now, only three years out of college, she holds a management position in a construction company where she makes $75,000 a year. I assure you that she tips well when she dines out.
2. Restaurants operate on a thin profit margin. If they paid their food servers "a living wage" then they would have to increase the menu prices of their meals considerably. You would end up paying as much or more than you now pay for meal plus tip, so just relax and go along with our tipping custom.
Incidentally, unless the service is noticeably sub-par, I routinely tip 20% on the meal cost, not including tax. For service that is much less than what is expected, I still tip 10%. There may be reasons for the poor service that I am not aware of, and I consider 10% a gift to a person in distress.
|
This is not correct. Right next door in Canada, wait staff are paid $15 an hour at minimum and eating out was more often than not less than here. BTW, most still give 15% tip to them but it is a tip in the true sense....bad service, no tip.