After my (attempts) to be funny about international travel here, the subject of American tipping has come up several times. My thanks to the amazing June Kearns who commented,
As Brits, we had to be educated about tipping. (Our eldest son lives in San Fran!)
Actually, June, it’s the Americans who are behind the times on this one. My home state of Washington has traditionally mandated the country’s highest minimum wage (currently $9.47/hour or annual salary of $19,698) for all employees including wait-staff. However they are one of only eight states and territories that does so. In the remaining 46 states and territories, wait-staff can legally be paid at or above the Federal Minimum Tipped Wage ($2.19/hour, or $4555 per YEAR!!). They must rely on tips to fund the rest of their wages. That’s why most Americans—and certainly those like me who have had waitressing gigs—automatically tip 20% of the bill, with additional for above average service.
What about paying workers a living wage, providing medical, sick pay, and vacation? After a career in human resources at the executive level, I’m ashamed to admit that the USA is still far from achieving this. So tipping is pretty deeply-ingrained in me, as with most Americans. I don’t think it’s physically possible for me to walk away from any restaurant meal without leaving 20% on the table, even when I’m eating in the UK and elsewhere.
Okay, I do also have to admit it… generally, service in the US is WAY superior to almost anything we’ve seen in the UK or the EU. But while that’s fun for me as a customer in the US, I’m still willing to give that up if it means wait-staff are paid a living wage. And no—I am NOT interested in hearing that they pay less taxes (seriously? on minimum wage?). And I don’t think it’s cute that people leave notes on their bills with bible verses that are “better than cash”, or comments about how they “tithe 10% to God so why should I give you more?” The only note your server should get from you is one telling how much you appreciate their hard work. Preferably, written across Alexander Hamilton’s portrait.
So next time you visit New York, Orlando, Washington DC, etc. please remember that your server is most probably making something in the neighborhood of $2.19/hour. He or she is counting on your tip to make the additional $7-10 needed every hour just to approach a minimum livable wage.
Sorry for the rant! [PLEASE don’t anyone let me get started on gun control…]
From The Oatmeal because it’s funny, and because I’ve eaten in that Red Robin.
Georgia Rose said:
That is a shocking level of pay Barb! Difficult to believe there is no minimum wage in the US – though am I right in thinking that there is no maternity pay/leave either? Did I read that somewhere recently?
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barbtaub said:
It’s a little more complicated than that. Minimum wage is set by each state, but there is a Federal minimum. In most states, however, some occupations (household help, childcare, wait-staff, etc.) are exceptions. Job protection during family and/or maternity leave (12 weeks) is mandated if minimum employment lengths are met (with some exceptions), but it’s up to individual employers in most cases whether it is paid for (although there are local regulations in some places).
So, as a white-collar employee, I had paid maternity leave with job protection, medical coverage, and generous holidays. That is not, however, a universal right or benefit in the US.
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Georgia Rose said:
One of my clients runs a restaurant and you know he would love to pay rock bottom (the margins are very tight) and have the customers pick up the rest of the wage bill in the form of 20% tips!! That would be very appealing to him I know 🙂 As it is he has to pay at least minimum so runs as few staff as possible…which then has a knock on effect to customer service. I can see this is a complicated system in the US…it’s bad enough in the UK!
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trentpmcd said:
$2.19/hr – I DON’T understand it. I don’t understand our minimum wage either – $9.47 is much more reasonable. I try to give 20% of the whole bill (including tax) and round up,
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barbtaub said:
And I’m sure wait-staff everywhere bless you!
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bookshelfbattle said:
That was a funny cartoon.
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susielindau said:
In the US we tip 20% for great service, 15% for, okay, at least you didn’t screw it up, but 10% or less if they are rude or forget about us altogether.
I found it confusing in Europe. In some countries, tips were expected, but in others not so much. Spain and France are non-tipping and we could tell. The service was, “like whatever…”
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barbtaub said:
Exceptions exist for that everywhere, of course. But I have to agree that you don’t go into a restaurant in France and count on speedy service. Having said that, however, we’ve been pleasantly surprised more often than not on recent trips to Paris to get servers who are not only prompt but cheerful. The other thing we notice is that there are just more wait-staff per customer in the US. One argument for keeping the current system is that if employers had to pay more, there would be fewer jobs.
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judithbarrow1 said:
Always 20% with us – but just realised, husband doesn’t tip me and I cook and serve. And it’s him who farts! (only not in the dining room – it’s when he thinks there’s no one around in the garden) Otherwise he’s a sweety
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barbtaub said:
Come to think of it—when was the last time you had a raise?
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judithbarrow1 said:
Now that depends on what you mean!
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Barry Fishler said:
Good piece, Barb. People dearly need to know this stuff. (I also wish we could make Barbara Ehrenreich’s book, Nickel and Dimed, mandatory reading. It’s a profound eye-opener.)
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barbtaub said:
Thanks, Barry! How’s the weather out there?
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Elyse said:
Great post.
Shit. If I got docked every time I farted at work, I’d be paying them!
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barbtaub said:
Um… Perhaps a dietary change?
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Elyse said:
I’mjust kidding. Mostly. I have Crohn’s, so there have been times …
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barbtaub said:
Can’t say I “like” that you have Crohn’s, but I’m impressed by your attitude about it!
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Elyse said:
Thanks. What choice do I have? I’ve always thought that if I were going to have a chronic disease, at least there are things to laugh about with this one. Usually.
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ajcapper said:
I was never a waitress. Totally incapable. But my best friend was one before she became a library secretary and she was awesome. A must have is a sense of humour, which I have, but what I lacked was people patience. None of it. Not a glimmer.
I always tip 20%, unless they’re really bad, which I’ve never run across in the States. We spend a lot of time in the ‘Mitten’ and salespeople and waitresses are always so darn cheerful.
And I’d love to hear what you have to say about gun control…
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Laura said:
A great read making a very good point. For you: http://riddlefromthemiddle.com/2015/07/17/starlight-blogger-award/
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