Servers don't even get minimum wage in most states. They are generally paid between $2-3 per hour plus tips.

They don't get paid enough to live.

minimum wage for servers can be as low as $2.00/hour. Shameful and wrong.

Most wait employees get a small amount per hour, hoping to hit minimum wage from tips received.

They don't get paid enough for their hard work. It's such a shame too, because I've met a lot of amazing servers. Some of them have even become my mother's friends!

Tipping is not mandatory in the United States; however, it is customary, as servers do not receive minimum wage. Tipping is proper for good food/service. 15-20% of the bill is standard for the most part.

Kiss Army

Kiss Army

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

Premium

Premium user. Get details.

I don't understand hpw they get away with it but a lot of places in the US are allowed to pay just over $2 an hour to staff that receive tips as part of their "wages". If the tips they make do not add up to minimum wage then the employer is supposed to make up the difference. However, they continually get away with paying substandard wages because tipping is expected to make up for their short paying their staff while they pad their pockets. I agree that it should be illegal and I'm not sure why it isn't.

In the US, tips are the majority of the waiters wage. They do not get minimum wage (not even close). Tips are considered an incentive for good service and are not mandatory. The worst service I've ever received was in France but also in other European countries where tipping is not expected. I'm OK with tipping here and so are most waiters. Restaurants that have tried to do away with tipping by paying higher base wages have all returned to the tipping structure because good waiters do not stay long and they can't keep the front of house staffed. The good waiters soon find they can make far more at other restaurants.

No, they don't get minimum wage. The tips are a big part of their income. I know this because my brother was a waiter once.

Amina, when I was in graduate school, my late wife was a veteran waitress. And she made very good money, because she was organized and had a great personality. There are tricks to the trade, and the best waiters/waitresses rise to the top and eventually wind up working in the very best restaurants where they do exceptional well.

They get about 2 bucks an hour without tips on average

Servers get ~$2.15 an hour

Even minimum wage in the US is too low to afford housing in almost all cities. For example, Minimum wage is now up to $11 hr as of January 1st 2018. However, rent for a studio apartment in the Greater NY area starts at @$800 and goes up from there. Minimum wage is not a livable wage. Servers have it much worse. They make $2-3 per hour and have to share a percent of their tips with bar and kitchen staff.

Most servers in the United State are supposed to make minimum wage via tips. If they do good, and if they don't too bad. Servers are paid as little as 2.00 and hour here.

There are some restaurants that keep waitresses past dining hours for the same tip wage instead of minimum wage. Since they make enough tips to cover for those hours, the restaurant doesn't have to pay them back and they basically stay for almost free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k Is it true, could be, but it was a quick and fast primer as to how the tipping custom came about.

Dave Roger is correct. Because tips are expected, it is believed that waiters can make a lot of money on tips, so employers are permitted to pay them a base pay that is well under half minimum wage. Some people are really good and can make more than minimum wage from tips. Personally, I'd rather wash dishes for minimum wage and know what I'm getting paid than risk not getting enough tips (especially since I am clumsy and forgetful and that makes for a terrible waitress).

$2/hour?! Holy s**t, that's just... so close to being slavery. :/ No wonder tipping is that important. Why, just why, do federal minimal wages not apply to servers?! Here everyone has the same minimum wage (€9,11/hour).

I don't know why my reply posted twice...sorry

its a part of their culture. Guests think - it is a job like any other, but if you were a waiter/ess you know it is a hard job, sometimes mean and unsatisfied guests, poor wages. everyone likes to go to the same places, for example for holidays, appreciate that someone here wanted to come and serve - otherwise your favorite place may be closed next year - easy - empathy is the keyword :)

The minimum wage for waitresses is lower to account for tips. The waitress and restaurant must keep tally of how much tips the waitress receives. If at the end of the week, the waitress does not make the Federal minimum wage after adding up the tips and the hourly rate she received, then the restaurant must pay her the difference. All waitresses are entitled to at least the Federal minimum wage rate after tips and hourly rate are accounted for. (Now, I have heard online from some waitresses that some restaurants don't do this. However, they would be violated the Federal labor law if they do no provide at least minimum wage after hourly rate and tips).

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

We are talking now about NON-US folk NOT starving, because of US policy...

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

No you blithering IDIOT waiters do NOT get minimum wage. THEY GET 2.13 p/ hour DINGBAT. Yes, it IS legal and been common for 100 years. On top of making only 2.13 per hour they have to tip 1-3% of sales to bu$ers who clean your tables, hostesses who seat you and bartenders who make their customers drink. Get woke and stop asking stupid a*s questions lije this.

Um Daniel I sure hope you don't ever ever step foot in a restaurant that has tipped employees. They could end up paying to have you in their section. Don't be a stupid a*****e and not tip people because of the system that's in place.

Dave, bro, you're right: we don't agree and that doesn't make you a troll. Your constant screaming and childish name calling makes you a troll. Ok, bro? Now, I won't be looking at this again so if you want to respond, feel free, but I won't see it. Oh and, bro, I forget you exist when I leave this website. Later, bro.

Ahh, Dave "The Biggest Troll" Roger is back. Dude, who hurt you to make you so unpleasant? I mean, screaming obscenities on random websites. Calm down bro.

Alex, Daniel stated he does not tip. His position may be fine, but his actions are abhorrent and only punish the server.

Calm down, people, and read Daniel's comment again. He's saying to boycott any restaurant that doesn't pay a living wage (which would be, what, $15/hr in the US?) to their wait staff. That's a reasonable moral position.

Hi Ben, Just a lil FYI: Just because we don't agree on anything doesn't make me a troll, k kiddo? Also, I'm not your f*****g bro. And another thing: using obscenities doesn't mean I'm angry or unpleasant. I just like to swear. Now calm down and stop letting me get to you so much.

Daniel, Hi.... You're a F*****G A*****E. Sincerely, NEVER ever go out to eat you selfish f*****g prick.All you're doing is f*****g a hard working person over by not tipping them.

No, don't tip the wait staff, boycott any business that doesn't pay their wait staff a living wage. Stop relying on tips in the first place. Also, it's illegal for the business to guess at your tips, you're supposed to be logging and reporting them correctly and your company is supposed to be paying you the difference to ACTUALLY get you to minimum wage if the tips aren't.

What is it about the US that they can’t give those people a decent wage?

20%? WTH? In Europe, that would be showing off and probably be considered arrogant by most waiters...

Daniel, I just read this: "I'm a server in Mississippi.... I make $2.13 an hour. By the time taxes come out, I'm LUCKY if i get check for $100 every two weeks.... And that's for 80 hours worth of work.". And you think tipping 20% is insane? Become a waiter for a year and then comment again! Do your research before you comment! I am not even from the US and I found out about this in under a minute!

@Daniel And your going to get the businesses to pay their staff minimum wages or more by not tipping? Get real, man. You're not helping, you're not fighting the good cause, you're simply being an a**hole.

20% is insane, even in the US. They've simply become greedy at this point. Growing up it was 15% for exceptional service, and 10% for good service. Honestly, I've stopped tipping altogether for multiple reasons. 1) Tipping is a horrid habit based in slavery and classism. 2) businesses are required by law to pay wait staff minimum wage IF their tips do not bring them up to minimum wage (if their tips do reach minimum wage though, then the company only has to pay them something like 1/3 of a normal wage) 3) Businesses should be paying their employees correctly to begin with, not making them beg for scraps. Roll the difference in the wages into the costs of running the business and charge for the food accordingly.

Laury M.: So first off; Minimum wage for wait stuff starts below the federal minimum wage, wait staff are supposed to report their tips to their business. If the combined of their wage and the tips does not add up to federal minimum wage, the company is legally supposed to fill the gap and bring that combined total up to minimum wage. That's the LAW. However, many companies don't do this, they skirt around it by not informing their wait staff, or in the case of many mom and pop businesses not even realizing it themselves. Secondly; my argument is that we need to start paying our wait staff correctly in the first place and do away with tipping. LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD. Tipping has its roots in slavery and classism. It was a way of showing off wealth. It's been shown time and time again that it doesn't improve performance, and can often make it worse. Kristal: I have done my research. I've actually commented on some of it. All you've done is b***h.

SnoopyCereal, I am really saddened that this is the reality of waiters and waitresses. I don't get why waiters and waitresses even exist. Maybe because they can't find any other job or other reasons. I just wish they got paid a minimum wage. And still get tips if they gave great service to the customer(s). Only smaller tips in this case, like 10%, which over there is the amount of perfect for a bad waiter job. If they just got paid minimum wage, 10% is not bad: I guess, because I do not know what the minimum wage is in the USA. And the racial discrimination in tipping is also very sad. I wish for justice for these incredible people who do such a hard and great job!

Also, in many places, it isn't mandatory, just frowned upon.

Mandy Keane, not anymore I see right now. But I was downvoted a couple of times.

Kristel..I don't see you down-voted???

Why am I downvoted? I just want the best for the waiters and waitresses. What is wrong with my comment? Maybe I understood something wrong. I am not from the US. I am just curious why I eas downvoted 2 times?

It's ten in most of Europe as well. Personally, I have no problems with adjusting that to the service I've received. Last time I had the misfortune of eating at an establishment with good food, but horrific service. I haven't left any tip.

Was

@Ashley, wow :( That's horrible! I'm sorry

Ashley, I am so sorry! If you like being a waitress and this is considered "normal". I can not comprehend why people of ANY job can get paid less than the minimum wage! It is not called a minimum wage for nothing. It is ridiculous that tipping is considered mandatory, because you waiters and waitresses get paid so little. Over here in the Netherlands it is 10% and they definitely get minimum wage (or maybe more, I don't know this). I am sorry and I hope you get tipped a lot! Mayor respect for you to continue this job while your salary is this little, and even so little after tipping! Sending you love and strength!

In Australia everyone in any industry has a minimum wage. We don't need to tip. Taxes are included in the prices of everything we buy. You know before you leave what the bill will be. There are tip jars in some restaurants and cafes and usually customers throw in their loose change. This is shared by the whole staff.

We have a well-known restaurant where the prices are atrocious: you pay for the 'ambiance' (and the fact that the nearest ladies' room is in the service station across the street--the restaurant's is down a long hallway studded with spears, etc!) and the owner takes HIS cut of the tips *first*, then puts the rest in a common fund, so the best of the staff is trying to pay the rest.

How is that even legal?? Jut HOW? Even if the minimum wage doesn't equal living wage, anything below a the legal minimum should result in criminal charges.

Also, most Americans feel that just bringing this up makes the person stingy and like they're trying to screw someone over. Not true. Just don't agree with the "idea" of tipping.

It's customary to tip in the UK. Wait staff typically only get minimum wage or thereabouts, and are sometimes on zero-hours contracts. Be kind and tip. (Usually around 10%)

In UK I have never tipped by percentage. Good service I give what I consider to be a good tip, ok service I will still tip, anything bear minimum to acceptable or below I don't tip. Reading this thread in US I would be tipping everything that was bear minimum and above, it's not ok for people to come to work and not make minimum wage, even if they only just making it to be acceptable. If a manager is putting a shoddy waiter on the floor then just as with shoddy food I would just not go back but I still want that waiter to make minimum wage, poor staff conduct is the manager's problem not the customer's

It's always been customary to tip in the UK - you make it sound like a new thing. However, the difference is our wait staff get paid the regular minimum wage, not a reduced amount to take account of tips. As such you tip for good service and it is not unreasonable to refuse to tip if the service sucked (although if you're doing that please be aware the food sucking is different than the service sucking, don't punish your wait staff for the kitchen messing up).Also we tip around 10% whereas that's considered the bare minimum it's reasonable to leave in the US if the service was bad and 15-20% is the standard for good service.

Scott Bricker You're kidding, right?! Nobody is "suppose [sic] to" tip at least 18%. If you want to show off and overtip, that's your prerogative, but don't lie to other people.