[Got an anonymous confession or rant you just have to share with the world? Submit it to I, Anonymous HERE!—eds]
Portland,
I love you. An unreasonable amount. And that’s why it makes me so disappointed when you don’t tip.
I’ve heard all the arguments, and here’s the sitch:
I understand that many of you think that if you don’t tip, the owner will raise our (the workers) wages.
This is simply not true. The reasons why are listed below
1: They don’t care enough about employees to raise wages. Just straight up, it is easier (and cheaper) to replace us than to give us raises.
2: Not one business owner in the entirety of the US would think to themselves “hmm no one is tipping, maybe I should pay my employees more”
3: when you decide not to tip, you’re directly telling the owner that whoever is working is not worth tipping. They will just fire that person.
4: we actually, genuinely, live off those tips. Even IF you’re making 18/hr, you’re not being scheduled for more than 30 hours a week. At 18/hr for 60 hours (we get paid every 2 weeks) = 1,080 GROSS. add the tax on (30%) and that takes it down to $765/mo.
If you’re able to find cheap rent ($900/studio)
you still wouldn’t be able to afford it. Not to mention groceries, gas, and any entertainment.
Now if we add tips to that equation (let’s say $15 card tips per day and $5 in cash. we still have to split them amongst our coworkers) that takes it up to 2,280/mo.
Do you understand now?
5. We are splitting your tip across the entire staff. You’re not just tipping the service staff, you’re also tipping the people making your food for you, because you can’t or won’t cook what you’re ordering.
6. I feel like folks assume whoever is working (especially counter) is a teenager saving for college. It’s not. I’m 30 years old. Im saving for a house. Thats never going to happen at $765/mo.
Should business owners pay their employees more? Yes!
Are they? No.
So fucking tip.— Anonymous