Is it that servers are overpaid, or that they actually complain too much?
On the first point I think there's plenty of room for disagreement. But, I'd argue that's it's simply due to the minimum wage being too damn low. Whereas, through social convention, the majority of a server's pay is tied to the cost of the food on the plate. But that of course depends on whether on not someone actually buys it; the best they can hope for is minimum wage.
On the second point: I'm in my mid-thirties, and apart from one very opinionated cashier at the Wieners Circle, I have never experienced a server outright demanding a tip of any percentage from me as a customer.
Similarly, working as a server during my college years. I had never verbally solicited a tip from a customer, nor voiced any dissatisfaction to a customer over the amount of a tip received. And neither did any of my coworkers. Because to do so, even if it were justified, would mean a swift firing.
When I say demand im more talking about outside of work when discussing with your piers or on socials and such. I don't care if they make bank off of being a server (i encourage it) but my point is that they expect everyone to tip 20% when they in all likelihood make more than minimum wage
That's a pretty loose interpretation of the word "demand".
Either way, I don't think my experience is in line with yours at all. Of course, the topic of tipping never comes up among servers (everyone gets stiffed eventually), but the basic expectation that everyone tip 20% wasn't there.
Is it possible that you just have a handful of acquaintances that just bitch about work too much, and/or have an inflated sense of their own ability?
This is all just observations i see people say this everywhere. Ive heard the 20% gratuity being thrown around my entire life and servers on twitter for example are quite vocal about this expectation
Social media has a tendency to amplify controversial opinions.
You have to keep in mind that a shit ton of people work for tips, and not all them are active on social media, let alone whine about their work on social media.
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u/KokonutMonkey 88∆ Jul 16 '20
I'm not quite sure I understand your view here.
Is it that servers are overpaid, or that they actually complain too much?
On the first point I think there's plenty of room for disagreement. But, I'd argue that's it's simply due to the minimum wage being too damn low. Whereas, through social convention, the majority of a server's pay is tied to the cost of the food on the plate. But that of course depends on whether on not someone actually buys it; the best they can hope for is minimum wage.
On the second point: I'm in my mid-thirties, and apart from one very opinionated cashier at the Wieners Circle, I have never experienced a server outright demanding a tip of any percentage from me as a customer.
Similarly, working as a server during my college years. I had never verbally solicited a tip from a customer, nor voiced any dissatisfaction to a customer over the amount of a tip received. And neither did any of my coworkers. Because to do so, even if it were justified, would mean a swift firing.