TIPPING IS PLAIN STUPID!
BOTTOM LINE:
So why do we allow this scam, in the form/system of "tipping," to go on by our participation in this practice?
Easy! Mainly because of the massive social pressure on us to do so.
Also, there is the vanity aspect--we ourselves, love to tip-- "put on the dog," as they say --by impressing ourselves and others in our demonstarted generosity and ability to reward, handsomely, those "underlings" --yes, perceived underlings, if you care to be honest with yourself about it--even though said underlings may easily be pocketing higher wages than you yourself and for less effort.
And, their employers are laughing at all of us while they are quite content with their lower operating costs, as they, and the IRS, manipulate the whole scene to their personal advantage.
What If....
All costs of going out for meals, etc.--both goods and services--were included in the cost as listed--just like most other things. No tips, surcharges, gratuities, no BS!, whatever... WHAT A CONCEPT!!!
Following is a copy of a letter I sent to a waiter who said he loved his job but, of course, disliked poor tippers. It all seems so simple to me .... Restaurant owners are the ones making out here. It is time we take a good look at how all this came to be that they do not have to pay their employees! Raise the prices ... but pay your staff like everyone else! How insulting that the client pays and the owner of the establishment gets paid well but the waiters are in the middle.
It is time we as the paying public let restaurnat owners know the free ride is over. Maybe they could drive a less expensive car or cut back on the decor of the establishment.
Here is the letter I wrote to the waiter.
Hi ... I am really curious as to why you feel customers should pay your salary and not your employer. I am sure you give great service since you said you love your job so why not unite and take it up with the boss?!?!? There is no other business that does not have to pay its employees ... why are restaurant owners so special? Have you ever looked at the money most of them spend on restaurant decor not to mention the cars they drive et cetera!?!?!?
Also ... when is the last time you tipped the grocery clerk, dry cleaning person, gas station attendant, retail clerk where you buy your clothes or the agent at the airline gate or the doctor's assistant ... maybe even the doctor (people think they make a lot more than they do and their expenses are high too). The list goes on and on. Gosh think these people get paid by their employers and not the clients?
I am not knocking what you do or how you do it .... and I actually have always been an above average tipper 20 percent or more ... because I do not want to stiff the staff. I do however think it is time the restaurant owner quit with the poor me attitude and we all take a look at the laws. Maybe it is time for a change. Meals ARE NOT cheap and I would honestly rather pay a fair price and let the owner pay his staff. It is an employers responsibility. They get paid well most of the time ... so why make their staff gravel!
Let me know if you see it this way at all! Thanks for listening to a customers side. Oh and until some changes are made I do hope you are fairly rewarded each and every time you give special service with a smile! Don't get me wrong .... I am not going to take it out on the waiters ... but I would like to work for a change. The wrong people are getting the breaks and benefits!!
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