For all you restaurant complainers

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.

[wisbad1]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.
And your point is?

[Michael 61]

And your point is?

I think the OP point is that 1) accept high prices, regardless of high they go, and stop your sniveling 2) accept poor service (but still tip 20% plus) 3) Landlords that expect their tenants to pay their full rent as promised are heartless, and they should suffer any financial hardship instead of their tenants.

[retiredguy123]

I don't see this as a problem at all. Restaurants are not essential businesses. The ones that can't compete will go out of business. So what? The ones that remain will be the better ones, and some people may choose to spend more money at the grocery store.

[dewilson58]

And your point is?

Read paragraphs 3 & 4 and you will have your answer.

:loco::loco:

[BrianL99]

I think the OP point is that 1) accept high prices, regardless of high they go, and stop your sniveling 2) accept poor service (but still tip 20% plus) 3) Landlords that expect their tenants to pay their full rent as promised are heartless, and they should suffer any financial hardship instead of their tenants.

4) We should have empathy for mismanagement and for those who make poor business decisions. Perhaps even forgive their debt and give them a participation trophy, because that's how the USA works today.

[rhood]

$18 for two number 6's at Mcdonalds is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me that aren't making money!

[Bay Kid]

$18 for two number 6's at Mcdonalds is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me that aren't making money!

Sorry, not a MD fan so that does seem like a lot.

[Babubhat]

$18 for two number 6's at Mcdonalds is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me that aren't making money!

30 percent off if you use the app plus earn rewards

[Bill14564]

$18 for two number 6's at Mcdonalds is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me that aren't making money!

What is a number 6 at that store? A $5.50 sandwich, $2.00 drink, and $1.50 fries doesn't sound unreasonable and would be $18 for two.

[Lindsyburnsy]

You’ll pay more at the grocery stores but won’t accept paying more at restaurants. Yet, big corporations have increased their profit by nearly 40-50%. Let’s just ignore that. Price gouging proposals were made but voted down. Let’s ignore that too.

I don't see this as a problem at all. Restaurants are not essential businesses. The ones that can't compete will go out of business. So what? The ones that remain will be the better ones, and some people may choose to spend more money at the grocery store.

[Hape2Bhr]

You’ll pay more at the grocery stores but won’t accept paying more at restaurants. Yet, big corporations have increased their profit by nearly 40-50%. Let’s just ignore that. Price gouging proposals were made but voted down. Let’s ignore that too.

Should you decide to sell your house, please do not gouge the buyer.

[Decadeofdave]

Bravo - 2 medium pizzas to go yesterday -$53 yikes

[laboutj]

Bravo - 2 medium pizzas to go yesterday -$53 yikes

Holy crap! Never had pizza from there and doesn't look like I'm going to any time soon unless I hit powerball

[jimbomaybe]

Should you decide to sell your house, please do not gouge the buyer.
We all know that's different

[ThirdOfFive]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.
It has ALWAYS been a tough industry. The numbers are all over the board, but in clicking around the numbers that appears most often are that 60% of restaurants fail in their first year and 80% within five years, the #1 cause of failure being lack of experience in the business.

Thank goodness we have the ability to vote with our feet, so to speak. I am unforgiving of poor service and/or poor food quality no matter where I encounter it, all the more so in these days of rising prices. I tip 10% no matter what, 15% for average service. For really excellent service and food I’ll tip as high as 30%, especially if we are frequent patrons of such a place, which drives my wife up the wall but there is a definite advantage to being known as a good tipper. It guarantees good service the next time out. Example: Americanos in Spanish Springs. We eat there frequently; good food, really competitive prices and excellent service. We’re on a first-name basis with a couple of the waitstaff and we always get good service there.

[Gpsma]

You had my attention until you mentioned that you consider Amerikanos the place you can act like the Frank Sinatra of The Villages.


It has ALWAYS been a tough industry. The numbers are all over the board, but in clicking around the numbers that appears most often are that 60% of restaurants fail in their first year and 80% within five years, the #1 cause of failure being lack of experience in the business.

Thank goodness we have the ability to vote with our feet, so to speak. I am unforgiving of poor service and/or poor food quality no matter where I encounter it, all the more so in these days of rising prices. I tip 10% no matter what, 15% for average service. For really excellent service and food I’ll tip as high as 30%, especially if we are frequent patrons of such a place, which drives my wife up the wall but there is a definite advantage to being known as a good tipper. It guarantees good service the next time out. Example: Americanos in Spanish Springs. We eat there frequently; good food, really competitive prices and excellent service. We’re on a first-name basis with a couple of the waitstaff and we always get good service there.

[fdpaq0580]

To the best of my knowledge, NO ONE has the job or is responsible for making sure restaurants, or any other business is successful by spending our money there if we don't want to. We should patronize places we like and spend what what we feel is reasonable. It is not our responsibility to tip outrageously to put a waiters kid through college or to fill the pay gap the business owner won't pay so they can keep a larger portion for themselves. If a business fails, it is sad, but it is not my fault or yours. No need to feel guilty.

[Cobullymom]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.

To all the winey Villagers who grab any chance to jump on here and spread the news far and wide when their sandwich was crumpled or an eye roll has occured from staff, that the entire restaurant should be shuned and cancelled. Then they are the first to complain there is no variety or "good" places to go.. In my 3+ years here I've seen and heard it all...With all the things happening in our world they still feel the need to get up and relive their experience to all like we are waiting with baited breath daily to hear. Now I insert my eye roll...

[Ele201]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.
It all depends on how much you like dining out. It’s a personal choice, and we like it a lot, so will put up with the occasional indifferent service or a not so great meal. A close friend of mine recently said “We don’t do that (dining out).” She cooks at home and prefers that. To each, their own.

Reflecting the costs of doing business, prices at restaurants in TV, and many other places, have gone up. I looked over Thanksgiving Day menus at various restaurants that were posted on their websites. For a Turkey dinner with the usual sides, the going rate was $30-$33 per person. And that was lower than the price of steaks on their regular menus ($40 and up).

[Petersweeney]

Haven’t gone to fast food since my retrievers passed…. They loved the value menus….

[NotGolfer]

Food prices ARE going up. Was at the grocery store yesterday and one lb. of butter was $8.00. Have you priced steak, roasts etc lately?? The restaurant industry is being impacted too.

[Haggar]

Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/nearly-half-small-restaurant-businesses-couldn-t-pay-rent-october)

And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.

So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.

Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.

Greedy landlords who need the rent to pay their mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance?
They are in business - why should they subsidize the restaurant? Is a landlord supposed to take a hit for a business that isn't doing well whether it's a restaurant or any other business?

[Vermilion Villager]

Should you decide to sell your house, please do not gouge the buyer.
BRAVO!!! Apples to oranges comparison, with a side of deflection thrown in.:ho:

[Babubhat]

Doordash. Same food, better dining experience at home

[retiredguy123]

You’ll pay more at the grocery stores but won’t accept paying more at restaurants. Yet, big corporations have increased their profit by nearly 40-50%. Let’s just ignore that. Price gouging proposals were made but voted down. Let’s ignore that too.
I really don't see how price gouging is an issue with food. The consumer has so many choices about where to eat and what to eat, and there is competition everywhere. You can even go to a soup kitchen for free, if you want. How do you get price gouged on food?

[Keefelane66]

Food prices ARE going up. Was at the grocery store yesterday and one lb. of butter was $8.00. Have you priced steak, roasts etc lately?? The restaurant industry is being impacted too.
Oh come on I even know that’s false, BUTTER Publix $4.41, Aldi $3.29

[Keefelane66]

It all depends on how much you like dining out. It’s a personal choice, and we like it a lot, so will put up with the occasional indifferent service or a not so great meal. A close friend of mine recently said “We don’t do that (dining out).” She cooks at home and prefers that. To each, their own.

Reflecting the costs of doing business, prices at restaurants in TV, and many other places, have gone up. I looked over Thanksgiving Day menus at various restaurants that were posted on their websites. For a Turkey dinner with the usual sides, the going rate was $30-$33 per person. And that was lower than the price of steaks on their regular menus ($40 and up).
I got my free Turkey at BJ’s sales promotion. I don’t believe in welfare and refuse to support overpriced gouging restaurants. Planning a Thanksgiving meal for 6, salad to desert is not over $100 plus the wonderful leftover Turkey Sandwich’s

[jarodrig]

$18 for two number 6's at Mcdonalds is pretty ridiculous. Don't tell me that aren't making money!

You’re obviously not aware of they app where you can get some great deals .

Just last week I had a double cheeseburger, fries , drink and 4 McNuggets special through the app for $4.99 plus tax. $5.35 total….

They have a bunch of other deals that may suit your liking…

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The business model of some restaurants here, contributes to high turnover. I posted somewhere else in ToTV about this. If you enjoy the food, and want the place to succeed, and want the employees to be glad to work there and express that via excellent customer service, then tip them separately with cash. You don't have to overtip them. You can still do the ACTUAL standard (not the artificially inflated standard created by egotistical men who think flaunting their wealth gets dates)...

15% = did their job correctly, gave the minimal expected customer service. Passed the buck immediately to management on any/all challenges.
18% = did their job well, and gave an attentive, positive experience to their customers. Attempted to handle challenges politely and professionally - escalated only if the customer was still dissatisfied.
20% = was outstanding in every way, especially if they overcame challenges in a positive manner without needing to involve management.

If they were anything less than 15% then tip nothing, and tell the manager why.

But tip in CASH. Reason:

Many of these places require that employees pool their tips. If you pay by credit card, they never see the tip until their paycheck 1-2 weeks later. And they don't get to do the tallying themselves. They get whatever the manager tells them they got, there's no accountability. The AVERAGE pay for wait staff is $10 per hour INCLUDING tips - because Florida law allows the restaurant owner to pay LESS than minimum wage, and then add the tips on top of it. As long as that total comes to $10 or more, the restaurant owner can just pay the minimum. If it is under $10 they have to add to it until it becomes $10.

Imagine your ACTUAL earnings in tips was $100 for one shift, and you worked 5 hours. You earned $20/hour on top of your minimum wage. YOU earned that money. But the restaurant owner takes the $100 and splits it between all employees. The only people who the owner can pay less than minimum, are the ones who are expected to earn the tips. The bus boys, cooks, hostess - they all earn minimum wage because they don't receive tips from customers.

But the manager will split YOUR $100 among all those other people. If you're lucky you'll get $20 of that $100 that you earned.

If you pay the wait staff directly, in cash, they can pocket the whole thing. They earned it, it's theirs. That makes for happier wait staff who are sincerely glad that YOU (as opposed to anyone else) came in. YOU will be treated better next time. It's more likely the turn-around in the place will be less, the standard of care they provide to their customers will be higher, their overall satisfaction with the job will be higher, and the restaurant will prosper more.

[gatorbill1]

Bravo - 2 medium pizzas to go yesterday -$53 yikes

How many topings? and including tax? Could be about right

[Whitley]

I would start a new thread, if I knew how to. Question is tipping on take out. During covid when many restaurants were take out only, I tipped on orders I picked up the same as I would if eating at the location. Servers were hit hard and I'm doing ok. Now that it is over, tipping on take out seems to have become a standard thing. Picking up a pizza ($35.00 for a pizza, what is happening), getting Chinese take out. When you go to pay many now ask how much to tip. Some give suggestions from 15%, 20%, 22%. I generally will give 10%, but do not fully understand what that is for. When dining in the tip is for service during the meal, interaction, bussing etc.. Do people tip on take out, and if so how much?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would start a new thread, if I knew how to. Question is tipping on take out. During covid when many restaurants were take out only, I tipped on orders I picked up the same as I would if eating at the location. Servers were hit hard and I'm doing ok. Now that it is over, tipping on take out seems to have become a standard thing. Picking up a pizza ($35.00 for a pizza, what is happening), getting Chinese take out. When you go to pay many now ask how much to tip. Some give suggestions from 15%, 20%, 22%. I generally will give 10%, but do not fully understand what that is for. When dining in the tip is for service during the meal, interaction, bussing etc.. Do people tip on take out, and if so how much?

If they bring the order to me at the curb, I give them a buck or two.
If I have to go in (or to a drive-thru) and they just pass it to me over the counter or through the window, they get no tip.

Restaurant owners don't have to pay tipped employees the usual minimum wage. That would be bartenders and waitstaff. Everyone else gets minimum wage.

It's a minimum wage job. Non-waitstaff and non-bartenders don't rely on tips for their pay to equal $11/hour. Only waitstaff and bartenders do. So they're the only ones that get my tips.

The take-out person who hands you a bag is getting minimum wage (or better). Toss'em a buck if it makes you feel better, but don't add a tip to the credit card charge - or you might end up discovering that the waiter inside the place who you never even saw, who waited on other customers but not you - got a share of that tip.

[BrianL99]

But tip in CASH. Reason:

Many of these places require that employees pool their tips. If you pay by credit card, they never see the tip until their paycheck 1-2 weeks later. And they don't get to do the tallying themselves. They get whatever the manager tells them they got, there's no accountability. The AVERAGE pay for wait staff is $10 per hour INCLUDING tips - because Florida law allows the restaurant owner to pay LESS than minimum wage, and then add the tips on top of it. As long as that total comes to $10 or more, the restaurant owner can just pay the minimum. If it is under $10 they have to add to it until it becomes $10.

Imagine your ACTUAL earnings in tips was $100 for one shift, and you worked 5 hours. You earned $20/hour on top of your minimum wage. YOU earned that money. But the restaurant owner takes the $100 and splits it between all employees. The only people who the owner can pay less than minimum, are the ones who are expected to earn the tips. The bus boys, cooks, hostess - they all earn minimum wage because they don't receive tips from customers.

But the manager will split YOUR $100 among all those other people. If you're lucky you'll get $20 of that $100 that you earned.

If you pay the wait staff directly, in cash, they can pocket the whole thing. They earned it, it's theirs. That makes for happier wait staff who are sincerely glad that YOU (as opposed to anyone else) came in. YOU will be treated better next time. It's more likely the turn-around in the place will be less, the standard of care they provide to their customers will be higher, their overall satisfaction with the job will be higher, and the restaurant will prosper more.

You've obviously never been in the restaurant business.

Waitstaff holding out "cash tips" in a "split tips" business model (which most are) are grounds for immediate firing ... as it should be.

Bus boys, hostesses & bartenders are typically "tipped out" by other serving staff, as they contribute to easing the servers' work load.

Any restaurant that doesn't play fairly with "credit card tips", isn't going to be in business very long. The tip is clear on the CC receipt and state and federal regulators are all over this issue. It would pretty difficult to get away that for very long.

& why should anyone get paid in cash? So they can cheat on their taxes?

[ThirdOfFive]

You've obviously never been in the restaurant business.

Waitstaff holding out "cash tips" in a "split tips" business model (which most are) are grounds for immediate firing ... as it should be.

Bus boys, hostesses & bartenders are typically "tipped out" by other serving staff, as they contribute to easing the servers' work load.

Any restaurant that doesn't play fairly with "credit card tips", isn't going to be in business very long. The tip is clear on the CC receipt and state and federal regulators are all over this issue. It would pretty difficult to get away that for very long.

& why should anyone get paid in cash? So they can cheat on their taxes?
Even if pooling tips is the practice at a restaurant, I still tip in cash even if I pay the bill with a credit card. The waitperson sees the tip and knows that it is because he/she did a good job. Conversely, a smaller-than-normal tip gets the opposite message across. A line on a credit card payment slip…not so much.

Back in the day, I would tip using $2 bills or in dollar coins. In some Asian restaurants, Chinese especially, a $2 bill is considered good luck. A $6 tip in the form of three $2 bills got remembered a whole lot more than, say, six $1’s. It is good to be remembered in a positive light when returning to a restaurant. It guarantees good service.

[jimjamuser]

I think the OP point is that 1) accept high prices, regardless of high they go, and stop your sniveling 2) accept poor service (but still tip 20% plus) 3) Landlords that expect their tenants to pay their full rent as promised are heartless, and they should suffer any financial hardship instead of their tenants.
This appears to be "the sign of the times". Restaurants are one data point on a whole spectrum that makes up the overall economy. That is, wholesale supply costs AND retail prices and company profits are in a less stable FLUX than several years ago. That dangerous word........INFLATION has taken over the US and world economies. The FED has some tools to tame inflation and return a RUNNING AWAY system back to normal growth. But it is tricky in that, do they slam on the brakes or do they just tap the brakes through interest rate hikes?

If the FED gets its difficult mandate wrong, then more restaurants will go under. And the restaurant industry could be the "tip of the iceberg" and more and more businesses could be closing.

The "sign of the times" could be........CLOSING.

[jimjamuser]

Food prices ARE going up. Was at the grocery store yesterday and one lb. of butter was $8.00. Have you priced steak, roasts etc lately?? The restaurant industry is being impacted too.
The general term for ALL those price increases is INFLATION. It had a year-over-year rate of 9.1 % this June. Which is the largest in 40years. In general, older people on fixed incomes are the MOST adversely affected by inflation. That's why it is affecting everyone and especially in The Villages.

[jimjamuser]

I really don't see how price gouging is an issue with food. The consumer has so many choices about where to eat and what to eat, and there is competition everywhere. You can even go to a soup kitchen for free, if you want. How do you get price gouged on food?
Rapid inflation is a destabilizing situation. It affects the group psychic of people. Rapid change of any kind is hard to deal with. "Price gouging" in restaurant prices or any other industry's prices may or may not be gouging. Some businesses may take advantage of the inflation situation to get excessive profits. It is harder to prove in a chaotic situation like rapid inflation. Also sometimes businesses in one local area might engage in collusion. Also, in industries with small numbers.

[Geodyssey]

And your point is?

His point is, in these troubling times, restaurants should not be forced to pay rent.

The same goes for other business and residents, why not?

[kkingston57]

What is a number 6 at that store? A $5.50 sandwich, $2.00 drink, and $1.50 fries doesn't sound unreasonable and would be $18 for two.

Actually take a dollar off. The governors cut(tax) is 7%.

[kkingston57]

Agree with what you have said. We, in TV, better start getting used to lessened service in the restaurant business. Not enough worker bees to support the large(and getting larger) influx of non workers to this area. Went out tonight and two restuarants were 1/2 empty and there was a 15 minute waits due to fact they were understaffed.

In meantime a lof of complaints about aparments. We need these apartments so that workers have a place to live nearby. New areas of TV are probably worse off as they are further away from areas around TV which do have the worker bees nearby.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You've obviously never been in the restaurant business.

Waitstaff holding out "cash tips" in a "split tips" business model (which most are) are grounds for immediate firing ... as it should be.

Bus boys, hostesses & bartenders are typically "tipped out" by other serving staff, as they contribute to easing the servers' work load.

Any restaurant that doesn't play fairly with "credit card tips", isn't going to be in business very long. The tip is clear on the CC receipt and state and federal regulators are all over this issue. It would pretty difficult to get away that for very long.

& why should anyone get paid in cash? So they can cheat on their taxes?

Bartenders in restaurants that have bars where patrons can sit, earn their tips at the bar. They aren't tipped out, here in the Villages. It's just not how it works. They get paid better than waiters.

Kitchen help get paid minimum wage, which is $11/hour at the moment. Wait staff gets paid $7.98/hour and RELY on tips to make up the difference. If their tips are pooled and split among kitchen staff, bartenders, and hosts, then those kitchen staff could theoretically be earning significantly more than the wait staff, after the tips are split.

That isn't how it works everywhere, and it definitely isn't how it worked at the places I've been on wait staff or as a bartender. Wait staff works their butts off, the customers THINK that the tips are going to the wait staff, but in actuality they only get a piece of the tip.

If a waiter gets tipped $10 for a $50 meal - and there are 10 employees working during that shift, then that means the waiter earned $1 out of their customer's tip for themselves. If the other waiter had half as many tips, then the one who EARNED more will lose out when it's time for their share of their tips.

Pooling tips to "make up" for a minimum wage benefits only the management. It hurts the employees.

And that is why there is such a huge turnover. A waiter who EARNED $100 in tips that day, might only see a total of $40 when everyone else's tips are split among themselves, and the people who don't get tipped at all BECAUSE THEY ALREADY GET PAID A HIGHER WAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

[retiredguy123]

Bartenders in restaurants that have bars where patrons can sit, earn their tips at the bar. They aren't tipped out, here in the Villages. It's just not how it works. They get paid better than waiters.

Kitchen help get paid minimum wage, which is $11/hour at the moment. Wait staff gets paid $7.98/hour and RELY on tips to make up the difference. If their tips are pooled and split among kitchen staff, bartenders, and hosts, then those kitchen staff could theoretically be earning significantly more than the wait staff, after the tips are split.

That isn't how it works everywhere, and it definitely isn't how it worked at the places I've been on wait staff or as a bartender. Wait staff works their butts off, the customers THINK that the tips are going to the wait staff, but in actuality they only get a piece of the tip.

If a waiter gets tipped $10 for a $50 meal - and there are 10 employees working during that shift, then that means the waiter earned $1 out of their customer's tip for themselves. If the other waiter had half as many tips, then the one who EARNED more will lose out when it's time for their share of their tips.

Pooling tips to "make up" for a minimum wage benefits only the management. It hurts the employees.

And that is why there is such a huge turnover. A waiter who EARNED $100 in tips that day, might only see a total of $40 when everyone else's tips are split among themselves, and the people who don't get tipped at all BECAUSE THEY ALREADY GET PAID A HIGHER WAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Pooling tips can only be done among tipped employees. It is illegal to require tipped employees to share their tip income with the kitchen staff, hosts, or management, who are not tipped employees. Federal law says that a tip is the property of the tipped employee and no one else.

[BrianL99]

Bartenders in restaurants that have bars where patrons can sit, earn their tips at the bar. They aren't tipped out, here in the Villages. It's just not how it works. They get paid better than waiters.

Kitchen help get paid minimum wage, which is $11/hour at the moment. Wait staff gets paid $7.98/hour and RELY on tips to make up the difference. If their tips are pooled and split among kitchen staff, bartenders, and hosts, then those kitchen staff could theoretically be earning significantly more than the wait staff, after the tips are split.

That isn't how it works everywhere, and it definitely isn't how it worked at the places I've been on wait staff or as a bartender. Wait staff works their butts off, the customers THINK that the tips are going to the wait staff, but in actuality they only get a piece of the tip.

If a waiter gets tipped $10 for a $50 meal - and there are 10 employees working during that shift, then that means the waiter earned $1 out of their customer's tip for themselves. If the other waiter had half as many tips, then the one who EARNED more will lose out when it's time for their share of their tips.

Pooling tips to "make up" for a minimum wage benefits only the management. It hurts the employees.

And that is why there is such a huge turnover. A waiter who EARNED $100 in tips that day, might only see a total of $40 when everyone else's tips are split among themselves, and the people who don't get tipped at all BECAUSE THEY ALREADY GET PAID A HIGHER WAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

There's not an accurate statement in that entire post.

[jimjamuser]

Bartenders in restaurants that have bars where patrons can sit, earn their tips at the bar. They aren't tipped out, here in the Villages. It's just not how it works. They get paid better than waiters.

Kitchen help get paid minimum wage, which is $11/hour at the moment. Wait staff gets paid $7.98/hour and RELY on tips to make up the difference. If their tips are pooled and split among kitchen staff, bartenders, and hosts, then those kitchen staff could theoretically be earning significantly more than the wait staff, after the tips are split.

That isn't how it works everywhere, and it definitely isn't how it worked at the places I've been on wait staff or as a bartender. Wait staff works their butts off, the customers THINK that the tips are going to the wait staff, but in actuality they only get a piece of the tip.

If a waiter gets tipped $10 for a $50 meal - and there are 10 employees working during that shift, then that means the waiter earned $1 out of their customer's tip for themselves. If the other waiter had half as many tips, then the one who EARNED more will lose out when it's time for their share of their tips.

Pooling tips to "make up" for a minimum wage benefits only the management. It hurts the employees.

And that is why there is such a huge turnover. A waiter who EARNED $100 in tips that day, might only see a total of $40 when everyone else's tips are split among themselves, and the people who don't get tipped at all BECAUSE THEY ALREADY GET PAID A HIGHER WAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
As to the" benefits only the management. It hurts the employees", that is what happens in all industries, especially in the last 50 years. The only counter to that situation is UNIONS. Florida and the south, in general, are anti-union. Nationally, unions in the US (not Germany) have been decreasing, which has weakened the middle class and divided America into the "Haves and Have-Nots". Which makes for a less stable and less powerful America than prior to about 1970.

We are seeing that instability here locally in the inability to maintain a stable RESTAURANT work force. They are faking enjoyment for their jobs and are casting about looking and hoping for something better. Meanwhile. management at MacDonald's is looking to have robotic servers to eliminate as many workers as possible.

[tophcfa]

The FED has some tools to tame inflation and return a RUNNING AWAY system back to normal growth. But it is tricky in that, do they slam on the brakes or do they just tap the brakes through interest rate hikes?

The Fed essentially created the RUNNING AWAY inflation train by many years of irresponsible policy of cheap money, ever increasing amounts of unsustainable debt, and creating runaway money supply. Put another way, they removed the brakes from the train and created an economy hopelessly addicted to debt. Now interest rate hikes are their only remaining tool to slow down inflation, but the pain that causes to a nation burdened with out of control debt (paying the interest to service the debt) and consumers addicted to debt is like nothing the Fed has ever had to deal with before. They created the problem and boxed themselves into a place with no good solution. The quickest and easiest way our Government could now help bring inflation under control is to a give up their delusional attempt to rapidly creat a “Green” country/economy and take all necessary measures to return to energy independence. The price of almost everything is directly correlated with the price of oil, diesel, and gas.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

All interesting points, good discussion. .

If 50% of the restaurants went out of business here, the going out would be reservation only for dinners, or the line would extend around the block.

If the landlord thinks that getting another restaurant in place with the same available market, the same competitive prices, the same employees from the area, the same food costs into the area, and the same food choices, does the landlord think that there are always some other set of people and suppliers who can change the profitability?

When worker wages increase due to changes in minimum wages or requirements to hire to staff due to competition or increases in cost of sales which not all can be passed along to the consumer all at once, there are either lower profits or lower management pay to maintain the same level of profitability. The lower pay for management shows up in either lower rent or lower on site management pay.

How many people like pay reductions? so the restaurant profitability is the struggle between rent and on site management pay. At some point one or the other either relents or goes under.

This is the constant economic struggle to maintain a profitable business in this industry. So patronize them or don't complain when there aren't enough to serve your when you decide to eat out. .

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Pooling tips can only be done among tipped employees. It is illegal to require tipped employees to share their tip income with the kitchen staff, hosts, or management, who are not tipped employees. Federal law says that a tip is the property of the tipped employee and no one else.

Explain that to the managers AND employees of the restaurants in the villages that engage in this practice. I tried explaining it to one of the hostesses, she said this is how her manager does it, this is how her paycheck is cut, and if she wants better she has to find a better job. Which - she is in the process of trying to do. She's not the only one who's made comments about this practice, and it isn't the first restaurant I've heard about that does it.

Just like it's against the law to drive your non-street-legal golf cart 21mph - good luck enforcing it.

[retiredguy123]

Explain that to the managers AND employees of the restaurants in the villages that engage in this practice. I tried explaining it to one of the hostesses, she said this is how her manager does it, this is how her paycheck is cut, and if she wants better she has to find a better job. Which - she is in the process of trying to do. She's not the only one who's made comments about this practice, and it isn't the first restaurant I've heard about that does it.

Just like it's against the law to drive your non-street-legal golf cart 21mph - good luck enforcing it.
A smart employee would document the illegal practice over a 6 to 12 month period. Then, quit and hire an employment attorney to sue the restaurant for back pay and punitive damages. And then, make a negotiated settlement with the restaurant to prevent other employees from doing the same thing.

Note that this is not only a civil matter. It is also a criminal matter. In a restaurant, there is a clear delineation between tipped employees and non-tipped employees by IRS rules. If the restaurant is compensating non-tipped employees with tip income, they are commiting two crimes. They are stealing money from the tipped employees, and they are evading taxes by not properly reporting the tip income paid to the non-tipped employees.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

A smart employee would document the illegal practice over a 6 to 12 month period. Then, quit and hire an employment attorney to sue the restaurant for back pay and punitive damages. And then, make a negotiated settlement with the restaurant to prevent other employees from doing the same thing.


The only real life issue is the server who isn't making enough money to hire a lawyer, to hire an employment lawyer. Most companies realize that very few can do that, and even then the amount post attorney will not be enough to offset being able to find work in the industry without moving beyond local owners talking circles.

its at this point in the long economic cycle that unions are the only answer, but companies like Starbucks will just shut down the stores in the area and the union is worthless.

so pay tips in cash to give the server the best argument for keeping it

labor attorney guy

[BrianL99]

its at this point in the long economic cycle that unions are the only answer, but companies like Starbucks will just shut down the stores in the area and the union is worthless.


labor attorney guy

Oh? Like what unionized employees did for the Automobile manufactures? Or what AFCSME does for productive government? Or what labor unions have done for construction costs in the Northeast and elsewhere? Or perhaps consider how little manufacturing remains in the USA, because Labor Unions put most of the manufacturing companies out of business. Or the granddaddy of all, Teachers Unions that have undermined and destroyed the educational system in the US.

Unions are the problem, not the solution. It's been proven throughout history, unions eventually work to the detriment of every business and every worker.

[jimjamuser]

The only real life issue is the server who isn't making enough money to hire a lawyer, to hire an employment lawyer. Most companies realize that very few can do that, and even then the amount post attorney will not be enough to offset being able to find work in the industry without moving beyond local owners talking circles.

its at this point in the long economic cycle that unions are the only answer, but companies like Starbucks will just shut down the stores in the area and the union is worthless.

so pay tips in cash to give the server the best argument for keeping it

labor attorney guy
Unions are not a "dirty" word except for today in the US. They work well in Germany.

[jimjamuser]

Oh? Like what unionized employees did for the Automobile manufactures? Or what AFCSME does for productive government? Or what labor unions have done for construction costs in the Northeast and elsewhere? Or perhaps consider how little manufacturing remains in the USA, because Labor Unions put most of the manufacturing companies out of business. Or the granddaddy of all, Teachers Unions that have undermined and destroyed the educational system in the US.

Unions are the problem, not the solution. It's been proven throughout history, unions eventually work to the detriment of every business and every worker.
Unions are the solution, not the problem. They work fine in Germany, which has better schools than the US. But, then almost every country does. The US is ranked about 30th in the world in education. AND it is NOT because of school unions - it is because the upper class does NOT want to pay their fair share of taxes.

[tuccillo]

This is nonsense and has been debunked numerous times by people who actually look at the numbers. I have seen numerous YouTube videos of people interviewing clueless students who claim the same nonsense and then act surprised when the facts are presented to them. The top 10% pay 70% of the taxes with an average tax rate of 20%. Who gets to define what “fair”is? Certainly not you.


it is because the upper class does NOT want to pay their fair share of taxes.

[BrianL99]

Unions are the solution, not the problem. They work fine in Germany, which has better schools than the US. But, then almost every country does. The US is ranked about 30th in the world in education. AND it is NOT because of school unions - it is because the upper class does NOT want to pay their fair share of taxes.

The United States spends more on K-12 education, than most every country in the world.

[jimjamuser]

The United States spends more on K-12 education, than most every country in the world.
The US spends more on HEALTHCARE than most other countries. And has very poor results as in about 30th in the world on healthcare outcomes. As far as education goes, the Scandanavian Countries pay their teachers more and that would be the biggest expense to a school system. Maybe in the US the principals, janitors, cafeteria workers, and football coaches are making too much money?

[Kenswing]

The US spends more on HEALTHCARE than most other countries. And has very poor results as in about 30th in the world on healthcare outcomes. As far as education goes, the Scandanavian Countries pay their teachers more and that would be the biggest expense to a school system. Maybe in the US the principals, janitors, cafeteria workers, and football coaches are making too much money?

It's amazing how fast you can hijack any thread, turning it into one of your personal crusade topics. You're really quite good at it. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the coral reefs yet.

[Stu from NYC]

It's amazing how fast you can hijack any thread, turning it into one of your personal crusade topics. You're really quite good at it. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the coral reefs yet.

Why give him the idea? He thinks the govt is the solution to all the problems it has created in the first place.

[jimjamuser]

This is nonsense and has been debunked numerous times by people who actually look at the numbers. I have seen numerous YouTube videos of people interviewing clueless students who claim the same nonsense and then act surprised when the facts are presented to them. The top 10% pay 70% of the taxes with an average tax rate of 20%. Who gets to define what “fair”is? Certainly not you.
They pay at a 20 % rate for the top 10% of earners in the US. That is the PROBLEM. The rate was higher in the 1950s when the US was considered the best overall country in the world. There was a REAL and strong middle class then. Those in the middle class had the income to go out to restaurants and support those establishments

[tuccillo]

There is no coherence to anything you say. Feel free, however, to rant on.

They pay at a 20 % rate for the top 10% of earners in the US. That is the PROBLEM. The rate was higher in the 1950s when the US was considered the best overall country in the world. There was a REAL and strong middle class then. Those in the middle class had the income to go out to restaurants and support those establishments

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I'm not a fan of unions, in general. I've been a member of three of them, my spouse has been a union guy. At the phone company we had our own union - not a local of some conglomerate like the Teamsters, but our own private employees' union. And then the conglomerate took over and our benefits went down the tube - while the local officers raked in their extra pay and the stewards got a day off every week with pay to attend union meetings that existed to deny employees of the few rights they managed to save.

At the municipality, I was hired as a civil servant, having passed the test and been 10th on the list of a couple hundred candidates. Turned out they only hired me because the chick they had to fire, refused to work full time and the union demanded that it be a full time position. I didn't know that when they hired me. Five months and 3 weeks in - the week before the end of the mandatory probation period - they fired me for "no cause." They were able to get the union to create a part-time position doing what they originally insisted had to be a full time job, and they hired the other chick back. I had to threaten them with an attorney (which was a bluff since I couldn't afford one to literally fight city hall), just to get my union dues back. They refused to protect my position, refused to represent me, and refused to refund the money I paid every paycheck to pay for that protection and representation.

The last one was at a supermarket. They required that we pay extra in dues, to cover medical benefits. The benefits were an old fashioned 80/20 plan where you have to submit your expenses after paying the bill, and they refund you. I already had full coverage of comprehensive health care from my husband's employment, so I tried to opt out, to save some money. They told me that wasn't allowed, I was enrolled and paying for it whether I wanted it or not. Then they gave me a copy of the union contract - which was a 20 page xerox copy of someone's hand-typed document, that was full of typos and missing sentences and even an entire page missing. One of the things the union negotiated for was a first aid kit on every floor of the store. They actually gave something up in exchange for something OSHA requires anyway.

I walked out of that place after trying for a month. I wasn't allowed to NOT be in the union - even though our state forbade mandatory union membership at employment. I would've had to hire a labor lawyer - and again - I couldn't afford it.

That said - my personal experience aside, I am not anti-union. I'm anti abuse by unions. I believe strongly that unions are necessary to create a healthy, safe, and strong work environment. But once they've done that they need to back up and let the system work. When they keep pushing for more and making ridiculous demands of employers just to prove that they're the muscle in the relationship, that's when the unions fail their members.

[Caymus]

There is no coherence to anything you say. Feel free, however, to rant on.


Same thing over and over and over. Maybe a sign of dementia.

[Aces4]

I'm not a fan of unions, in general. I've been a member of three of them, my spouse has been a union guy. At the phone company we had our own union - not a local of some conglomerate like the Teamsters, but our own private employees' union. And then the conglomerate took over and our benefits went down the tube - while the local officers raked in their extra pay and the stewards got a day off every week with pay to attend union meetings that existed to deny employees of the few rights they managed to save.

At the municipality, I was hired as a civil servant, having passed the test and been 10th on the list of a couple hundred candidates. Turned out they only hired me because the chick they had to fire, refused to work full time and the union demanded that it be a full time position. I didn't know that when they hired me. Five months and 3 weeks in - the week before the end of the mandatory probation period - they fired me for "no cause." They were able to get the union to create a part-time position doing what they originally insisted had to be a full time job, and they hired the other chick back. I had to threaten them with an attorney (which was a bluff since I couldn't afford one to literally fight city hall), just to get my union dues back. They refused to protect my position, refused to represent me, and refused to refund the money I paid every paycheck to pay for that protection and representation.

The last one was at a supermarket. They required that we pay extra in dues, to cover medical benefits. The benefits were an old fashioned 80/20 plan where you have to submit your expenses after paying the bill, and they refund you. I already had full coverage of comprehensive health care from my husband's employment, so I tried to opt out, to save some money. They told me that wasn't allowed, I was enrolled and paying for it whether I wanted it or not. Then they gave me a copy of the union contract - which was a 20 page xerox copy of someone's hand-typed document, that was full of typos and missing sentences and even an entire page missing. One of the things the union negotiated for was a first aid kit on every floor of the store. They actually gave something up in exchange for something OSHA requires anyway.

I walked out of that place after trying for a month. I wasn't allowed to NOT be in the union - even though our state forbade mandatory union membership at employment. I would've had to hire a labor lawyer - and again - I couldn't afford it.

That said - my personal experience aside, I am not anti-union. I'm anti abuse by unions. I believe strongly that unions are necessary to create a healthy, safe, and strong work environment. But once they've done that they need to back up and let the system work. When they keep pushing for more and making ridiculous demands of employers just to prove that they're the muscle in the relationship, that's when the unions fail their members.


There are many stories out there that mirror your experience. At my brother’s first job out of high school, union employment, he was advised to slowdown by coworkers because they don’t have to work at that pace. He quit shortly after that, couldn’t stand the sluggish atmosphere.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Oh? Like what unionized employees did for the Automobile manufactures? Or what AFCSME does for productive government? Or what labor unions have done for construction costs in the Northeast and elsewhere? Or perhaps consider how little manufacturing remains in the USA, because Labor Unions put most of the manufacturing companies out of business. Or the granddaddy of all, Teachers Unions that have undermined and destroyed the educational system in the US.

Unions are the problem, not the solution. It's been proven throughout history, unions eventually work to the detriment of every business and every worker.

Only if you are part of management that believes that management can treat and pay employees any way managements want, or you still live in the past.

The company i work at (sportsguy) currently has many unions, i would say at least 10, closer to 30 most likely, i have the information in the headcount file, but not interested in accuracy as the point is made, not a real problem, and certainly hasn't bankrupted the company nor made the company unsuccessful. .

The hospital CoachK has worked at for over 10 years, and over 20 from the start, has at least 7 unions, and is doing fine. The for profit hospital across the street threw out the unions and has the worst working and pay conditions that they all want to work at CoachK's hospital. And regions of the for pay hospital system across the country are insolvent, due to managements' financial mismanagement, read greed and total management control of workers for their enrichment

The problem with public unions is the problem with democracy during the good times: identity politics where each group is promised special treatment for votes, and larger groups get more attention. . all for the power of a government position..

Every successful company is a three legged stool which must be satisfied
customers, employees, owners, any one of these which fails always blames the other two as its never their fault

. so I don't live in the past any more, just looking forward to not working after June 15th, my last day as a W2 employee.

[ThirdOfFive]

That said - my personal experience aside, I am not anti-union. I'm anti abuse by unions. I believe strongly that unions are necessary to create a healthy, safe, and strong work environment. But once they've done that they need to back up and let the system work. When they keep pushing for more and making ridiculous demands of employers just to prove that they're the muscle in the relationship, that's when the unions fail their members.[/QUOTE]

With you on that one.

I worked on Taconite plant construction in Northern MN just out of high school and summers while in college. Carpenter tender/#2 shovel operator. Hot, hard work but I was a young buck and loved it. Union (of course). People up there take unions VERY seriously, and two things you never did: 1) work as a scab, or 2) cross a picket line of another union. One company new to the area tried to put scabs to work: when said scabs got back to the parking lot after their shift a lot of their cars had been keyed, windows smashed, etc. Of course, nobody saw anything. It seems over-the-top until one realizes that not too many years before, before widespread union representation, a lot of the guys up there were ruthlessly overworked as well as underpaid, and some of the older guys remembered those days.

Nobody in my time there was overpaid even then, and you had to work hard (or at least look like it) or you could be laid off right quick, but at least the men working there could support their families on what they earned, thanks to the unions.

[jimjamuser]

That said - my personal experience aside, I am not anti-union. I'm anti abuse by unions. I believe strongly that unions are necessary to create a healthy, safe, and strong work environment. But once they've done that they need to back up and let the system work. When they keep pushing for more and making ridiculous demands of employers just to prove that they're the muscle in the relationship, that's when the unions fail their members.

With you on that one.

I worked on Taconite plant construction in Northern MN just out of high school and summers while in college. Carpenter tender/#2 shovel operator. Hot, hard work but I was a young buck and loved it. Union (of course). People up there take unions VERY seriously, and two things you never did: 1) work as a scab, or 2) cross a picket line of another union. One company new to the area tried to put scabs to work: when said scabs got back to the parking lot after their shift a lot of their cars had been keyed, windows smashed, etc. Of course, nobody saw anything. It seems over-the-top until one realizes that not too many years before, before widespread union representation, a lot of the guys up there were ruthlessly overworked as well as underpaid, and some of the older guys remembered those days.

Nobody in my time there was overpaid even then, and you had to work hard (or at least look like it) or you could be laid off right quick, but at least the men working there could support their families on what they earned, thanks to the unions.[/QUOTE]


(post by jimjamuser begins)I agree with the concept of a GOOD union experience, whether it is at a restaurant chain or a manufacturing plant. Even something that is OVERALL for the good of society will have SOME downsides - because we all know that nothing is perfect. So, naysayers to unions can and will find some problems and overreaching by unions, but overall they protect workers from arbitrary MANAGEMENT / OWNER abuse. Before unions became a force in American industry, workers were treated (mistreated) like indentured servants.

Owners of large companies want top-down management thinking that is the best system for company growth and quality. But is it REALLY? Somewhere around 1950 an American wrote a book called "circles of management". The idea was that any company would be MORE successful if the management LISTENED to the lowest line WORKERS in any organization in any industry (EITHER automobile manufacturing or a RESTAURANT chain). Bottom line ......US CEOs ignored this book's concepts because they wanted to be considered INDISPENSIBLE , and thus get the big bucks like Jack Welsh at G.E. Well, the CEO's in JAPAN read the same book and by getting WORKER input the Japanese AUTOMOBILE industry began to be competitive with Detroit about 1965.

The TRICK that US CEOs used to RUN AWAY from unions was to go to the US south, then Mexico, and eventually to China. What was that end result? We gave China a new middle class (and associated global POWER). And the US middle class was weakened and the US itself became weakened.
........The bottom line is that I NEVER believed that UNIONS were BAD for America............and I wrote this to describe in a short outline form.......Why I believe it.

[Babubhat]

NYC restaurants see change in tipping habits (https://nypost.com/2022/11/21/nyc-restaurants-see-change-in-tipping-habits/)

[fdpaq0580]

NYC restaurants see change in tipping habits (https://nypost.com/2022/11/21/nyc-restaurants-see-change-in-tipping-habits/)

Somewhere in the article a restaurant owner refered to anyone not tipping 20% or more as penny pinching grinches. Guess not tossing your hard earned money around like confetti, sprinkling copious amounts upon all whom you encounter, makes you a grinch. And the idea of penny pinching is very out of date when a penny won't buy anything. Maybe dollar pinching would make more sense in todays world. Penny pinching grinch, my great aunt Fanny! I say any restaurant owner who doesn't pay his employees a living wage so they need those whom they were hired to serve supplement 20% of their income is as mean as Ebenezer Scrooge. No one should ever be expected to tip. A gratuity is a "thank you" for going Above and Beyond expectations. It should not be a part of the bill.
I hate tipping. I think it is demeaning to the professionals who perform the many services where tips have become commonplace. Do away with tipping and let people be properly paid and be proud professionals, rather than charity cases living on other peoples pity.

[retiredguy123]

Somewhere in the article a restaurant owner refered to anyone not tipping 20% or more as penny pinching grinches. Guess not tossing your hard earned money around like confetti, sprinkling copious amounts upon all whom you encounter, makes you a grinch. And the idea of penny pinching is very out of date when a penny won't buy anything. Maybe dollar pinching would make more sense in todays world. Penny pinching grinch, my great aunt Fanny! I say any restaurant owner who doesn't pay his employees a living wage so they need those whom they were hired to serve supplement 20% of their income is as mean as Ebenezer Scrooge. No one should ever be expected to tip. A gratuity is a "thank you" for going Above and Beyond expectations. It should not be a part of the bill.
I hate tipping. I think it is demeaning to the professionals who perform the many services where tips have become commonplace. Do away with tipping and let people be properly paid and be proud professionals, rather than charity cases living on other peoples pity.
I agree, but the restaurant industry is too greedy to abolish tipping.

[Babubhat]

Menu should have an out the door price. Includes tax and tips.

Panera hands you a bagel from bin and a 20 percent tip button shows up. Offensive

[Keefelane66]

NYC restaurants see change in tipping habits (https://nypost.com/2022/11/21/nyc-restaurants-see-change-in-tipping-habits/)
Just because a restaurant inflates the prices of the menu doesn’t mean I should tip more. We can purchase a steak at any supermarket choice or prime. We are quite satisfied with Outback, Texas Roadhouse along with Longhorn, all meals under $30. Don’t tell me by putting a price of one steak $60 it’s better

[fdpaq0580]

Just because a restaurant inflates the prices of the menu doesn’t mean I should tip more. We can purchase a steak at any supermarket choice or prime. We are quite satisfied with Outback, Texas Roadhouse along with Longhorn, all meals under $30. Don’t tell me by putting a price of one steak $60 it’s better

Also, have you noticed how often your "server" isn't the one who actually serves you your meal, or brings or refills your drink, etc. Depending on where you are, your "server" may only take your order. Any number of others may be bring in silverware, water, taking/bringing your drinks, soup or salad, and more. ???

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Also, have you noticed how often your "server" isn't the one who actually serves you your meal, or brings or refills your drink, etc. Depending on where you are, your "server" may only take your order. Any number of others may be bring in silverware, water, taking/bringing your drinks, soup or salad, and more. ???

In many cases in the Villages area, "your server" is not the only recipient of your tip. A portion of it is going to the person who brings you the drinks, the food, sets and clears your table, tops off your water glass, etc. etc.

If you feel that any individual person who attended to you deserves a tip, pay them in cash on your way out. Don't expect that your actual waiter will get it all.

[Michael 61]

I’d rather have everything included in one bill, like Europe - and abolish the tip. Now that tips are pooled in most places, I feel reluctant to over-tip for exceptional service, knowing that my server will not receive my tip exclusively. Also, I’ve begun to think about a flat-rate tip, and not based on the total bill (takes same effort to serve and deliver a hamburger as a steak), and base the tip on how many times did the server come to my table (tip more for a multi-course meal, and not as much for a once-and-done delivery, with no further contact with your server).

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I’d rather have everything included in one bill, like Europe - and abolish the tip. Now that tips are pooled in most places, I feel reluctant to over-tip for exceptional service, knowing that my server will not receive my tip exclusively. Also, I’ve begun to think about a flat-rate tip, and not based on the total bill (takes same effort to serve and deliver a hamburger as a steak), and base the tip on how many times did the server come to my table (tip more for a multi-course meal, and not as much for a once-and-done delivery, with no further contact with your server).

If you pay the tip in cash to whoever you feel deserves the tip, that person is responsible for declaring that income on their yearly tax return but - they also don't have to share that tip with anyone else. Granted, most cash-tip totals never make it into the tax return, but that's not your responsibility as the tipper.

When I worked a restaurant in Florida many years ago, we were paid $2.75/hour (give or take). It was /assumed/ that our tips combined with our wage equaled minimum wage - and we were taxed accordingly out of our paycheck. That was whether we were paid a tip in cash or credit card. But sometimes our tips didn't combine with our wages to equal minimum wage, and we overpaid tax, and earned less than minimum even before taxes were deducted.

Federal law has changed since then - but Florida law has not. Florida has no laws regarding how employers can/must treat wages of their employees. They don't even have a department of labor.

[Babubhat]

Tipping is out of control video. Funny.

18%, 20%, 25%?!?!? At what point is enough enough? God forbid we pay servers

https://youtu.be/FVcp1grk51E

[Keefelane66]

If you pay the tip in cash to whoever you feel deserves the tip, that person is responsible for declaring that income on their yearly tax return but - they also don't have to share that tip with anyone else. Granted, most cash-tip totals never make it into the tax return, but that's not your responsibility as the tipper.

When I worked a restaurant in Florida many years ago, we were paid $2.75/hour (give or take). It was /assumed/ that our tips combined with our wage equaled minimum wage - and we were taxed accordingly out of our paycheck. That was whether we were paid a tip in cash or credit card. But sometimes our tips didn't combine with our wages to equal minimum wage, and we overpaid tax, and earned less than minimum even before taxes were deducted.

Federal law has changed since then - but Florida law has not. Florida has no laws regarding how employers can/must treat wages of their employees. They don't even have a department of labor.
Like they say Welcome to the FREE State of Florida. In a right to work state the non organized labor employee gets taken advantage of.

[Whitley]

Tipping is out of control video. Funny.

18%, 20%, 25%?!?!? At what point is enough enough? God forbid we pay servers more.

https://youtu.be/FVcp1grk51E

We are subsidizing the restaurant by paying their employees. I do not believe this was the original intent of tipping.

[fdpaq0580]

We are subsidizing the restaurant by paying their employees. I do not believe this was the original intent of tipping.

It isn't. A "TIP" ,To Insure Prompt service was what you slipped the Maitre'd to get seated ahead of the common folks. What we think of as tips are "gratuities". A small "thanks" for service. When your change comes, pick up the bills, leave the coins. A small token of appreciation. Not intended as a subsidy for income. It has grown way beyond its intention and out of proportion.

[fdpaq0580]

Tipping is out of control video. Funny.

18%, 20%, 25%?!?!? At what point is enough enough? God forbid we pay servers

https://youtu.be/FVcp1grk51E

We already do. The moment a "tip" became expected, and not a pleasant little surprise, we were paying service workers to do their jobs. They began to expect and rely on ever increasing gratuities aka gifts. Businesses also realized they could shift some of their employee costs to the customers and no longer fully compensated those employees. Guilt the customer into higher and higher tips.
Service workers, in reality have no beef with customers who "under tip (seriously, who gets to decide right or wrong here?) or may not tip at all. The workers beef is with employers who take advantage of them, and government that allows it to happen.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It isn't. A "TIP" ,To Insure Prompt service was what you slipped the Maitre'd to get seated ahead of the common folks. What we think of as tips are "gratuities". A small "thanks" for service. When your change comes, pick up the bills, leave the coins. A small token of appreciation. Not intended as a subsidy for income. It has grown way beyond its intention and out of proportion.

That's an urban legend. You can find actual fact-checking on this on SNOPES The Origins of Tipping | Snopes.com (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tip-sheet/)