Community Chat

[SahmIam]

Count me as one of the ignorant regarding this law. I haven't really been paying attention to it and have heard bits and pieces via local radio stations regarding what it was about. What I thought was it was going to raise the base pay so tipping would NO LONGER be necessary. People complain about having to tip all the time and wish it was like the UK or France or other places; employees are paid a livable wage and so, no tipping.

So, the wage is now increased AND tipping is still in place? Yeah, we will be eating out even less now then we already do. Had no idea THIS was the gameplan. At some point, it's simply going to be too expensive (unless it's drive-through fast food and even THAT isn't cheap anymore) for people to go out. Maybe couples will be thrilled because as a family of 6, no way we can afford a place we occasionally go to if they increase prices by $5-$10 per dish.

[CelticCrafter]

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@Isobel Archer wrote:

But they DON'T "make less than minimum wage."  The law requires the restaurants to make up the difference if they don't get sufficient tips.

So that has just been something we've been told to shame us into tipping - even for poor service.

And before everyone starts on me, I almost always tip 20% (sometimes 15% for less than adequate service - and yes I have experienced that).  Because I also bought into the "poor oppressed server making $3 per hour narrative."  But I admit now I'm getting annoyed.  Why should I now pay more for my food AND tip more (the amount of the tip increases right along with the price of the meal) on top of it?

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Yes it does, however if it's an ongoing or continuing issue they will find a way to terminate the server.

[magicmoodz]

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@Isobel Archer wrote:

See this is what is so sad about this.  The servers have NOT actually received an increase.  They were already getting a guaranteed minimum wage.  (Again, the law requires that if the tips don't get them to the minimum, the restaurant must make up the difference.)

What happened is the social justice warriors convinced them that getting the law changed so that the restaurant had to pay them minimum wage up front would be a great victory because now they would get minimum wage and ALSO continue to get all the tips they got before 

Now it was always clear this would hit the restaurants hard, but who cared because they are the evil rich or something and they deserve to get hit.  But the reality is when they get hit, they - one raise prices and two lay off staff and maybe even three close altogether.  A real victory for the servers right?  Not so much.

And once customers get hit with higher prices, who knows how sympathetic they will be to the plight of the oppressed server - especially when they understand that none of this was necessary  - as again - the servers were always guaranteed minimum wage in the first place.

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@Isobel Archer

Please don't read any snobbery in what I am about to say as others have stated, but...

With the exception of one hotel, we don't frequent chain-type restaurants. We are definitely uptown people who prefer giving our business to small local independantly owned and operated places. And we  enjoy the not so main-stream food offerings they offer. 

Owners of our favorite hangouts are definitely not the evil rich. They work long and hard days and nights but do it because they love it. I personally will be very sad if they experience a business slump or loss of revenue because of laws made by a select few who don't even remotely understand the ramifications...

[INDIANA BONES]

As many did in their youth, I have worked at fast food, came from a family that owned eating establishments, and managed a well know Hotel chain.  Servers at that time were only making $2.03 a hour but tips brought them much higher then minimum wage (not saying this is true everywhere).  In fast food, I would love to see employees make much higher then minimum wage, but just remember the cheap menu will no longer exist at any fast food establishment (and I personally can eat at a diner then go through a fast food and get a regular priced burger so guess you can guess that we eat daily at a diner).

If the price of food goes too high at well known fast food establishments, they will eventually close.   This subject is like a 2 edged sword.  Great for employees to get paid more and devestating to many employees if the establishment closes.  

[Hayfield]

I will continue to tip but if I see food/drink prices going up too much I'll have to go out a whole lot less.  We're retired now and, like everyone else, our money only goes so far.  

[Isobel Archer]

Since apparently most people aren't aware that servers already make at least minimum wage (and as noted, some make considerably more than that) - and may also not be aware of new laws in various places now requiring restaurants to now pay this up front - rather than as currently, only having to make up the difference if the tips don't cover it - I'm wondering if when restaurants raise prices, they will add a statement to the menu explaining the situation.  If so, that would clearly hurt tipping.

[lmt]

My husband and I have noticed lots of restaurant changes the last few years. These are just MY observations...…..

1. For the most part, portions have gone down while prices have gone up.

2. Remember the days when salads included lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, shredded carrots, radishes and croutons? Now they consist of lettuce and one grape tomato.

3. Remember then you ordered a burger and lettuce, tomato and onion were included? I've seen them charge $1 extra for LTO as they call it. Some places still give lettuce and tomato but onion is 50 cents extra.

4. Burgers always used to come with fries, some places are now charging extra for them.

5. Some restaurants are now charging 2% or 3% surcharge if you use a credit card to charge your meal.

6. Some places that used to include salad and bread with your meal are no longer doing so.

7. Have you seen the suggested tip on the bottom of your bill? The latest suggestions are 18%, 20%, 22% and 25%. And for the record, we always tip 20%, sometimes more if our server goes our of their way or is especially friendly. 

A few months ago I read an article that claimed that young adults today (18-25) are not interested in dining in upscale or even casual dining establishments. They mostly want fast food. 

I think lots of restaurants are suffering or will suffer if they start to tinker around with wages and tips.

[JJsMom]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

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@JJsMom wrote:

You mean to tell me you don't think servers deserve minimum wage, and you will punish them by withholding tips because they make minimum wage? How cheap, selfish, and entitled can you be?

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This was a great response to cats01 ignorant reply IMO. Thanks @JJsMom !!

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It never ceases to amaze me that there are people out there who want others to work for basically slave wages.

[Cakers3]

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@lmt wrote:

My husband and I have noticed lots of restaurant changes the last few years. These are just MY observations...…..

1. For the most part, portions have gone down while prices have gone up.

2. Remember the days when salads included lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, shredded carrots, radishes and croutons? Now they consist of lettuce and one grape tomato.

3. Remember then you ordered a burger and lettuce, tomato and onion were included? I've seen them charge $1 extra for LTO as they call it. Some places still give lettuce and tomato but onion is 50 cents extra.

4. Burgers always used to come with fries, some places are now charging extra for them.

5. Some restaurants are now charging 2% or 3% surcharge if you use a credit card to charge your meal.

6. Some places that used to include salad and bread with your meal are no longer doing so.

7. Have you seen the suggested tip on the bottom of your bill? The latest suggestions are 18%, 20%, 22% and 25%. And for the record, we always tip 20%, sometimes more if our server goes our of their way or is especially friendly. 

A few months ago I read an article that claimed that young adults today (18-25) are not interested in dining in upscale or even casual dining establishments. They mostly want fast food. 

I think lots of restaurants are suffering or will suffer if they start to tinker around with wages and tips.

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@lmt  I have seen some articles about passing on the surcharge to customers.

MC and Visa allow it but others do not per the contract with the vendor.  So some restaurants try to limit what CC they accept because it's either all or none with passing on the surcharge.

Also there has to be a sign clearly indicating that the surcharge will apply and it has to be listed as a separate item on the customer's receipt.

10 states, last I know of, do not allow passing on cc surcharges.

Debit cards across the board cannot be charged at all.

I would imagine the restaurants can by-pass the restrictions by embedding the surcharge in the cost of the food.

[qualitygal]

If we choose to eat out, we know we'll pay.  I think waitresses are some of the hardest workers there are + there's the public they have to put up with.  Some patrons are murder!  So I'd still tip.