OPINION: Tipping is not a requirement
A “Tip”, or “Tipping” as popularly known, is the the term used when leaving (someone) a sum of money as a way of rewarding them for their services. Photo Illustration by Ronaldo Gomez
November 4, 2019
Tipping your server is not a requirement, just like them working at their job is not a requirement.
On various social media outlets, I’ve seen the argument that if you don’t tip your waiter or waitress then you shouldn’t be allowed to eat out at a restaurant.
I’ll be honest with you, I’ve seen the great debate on “tipping” and no, it’s not my job to write your check. Tipping should be based on service, not a set standard.
If someone pays to enjoy a night out at their own expense, they should be allowed to do so.
As many college students do, I myself work in the food industry when I’m not in school.
Do I get tips?
Yes.
Do I depend on tips to get by in my life?
No.
California is one of seven states that require servers to be paid at the state minimum wage, according to U.S. Department of Labor. In California, that’s $12 an hour.
If you think that’s bad, try working as a server anywhere that’s not one of those seven where the federal minimum wage is $2.13.
I feel, rather than attacking people that don’t tip “well” enough, you should probably attack the company that’s making you work for minimum wage.
The fact of the matter is, when you get hired somewhere, you are signing a contract that states a range of hours you work and how much you’ll get paid for each hour.
Anything past those hours are not guaranteed, this includes tips that are left based on your service.
The argument can be made that as college students working in a server position, the work can be tiresome and we deserve the extra pay, after all, students are known to be high risk for sleep deprivation and often study before and after work shifts.
To those students, I would say to consider reassessing the work you’re doing and consider if there’s an alternative to it. If working your position is too much, there are 5,944 part-time jobs available in Sacramento according to Indeed.
I’m a big believer in, “If something is bringing negativity in your life, what are you actively doing to change it?” If the issue of tipping bothers you to a degree you feel so strongly about it as a server then talk to your employer, start a petition, organize a rally at California’s Capitol or switch jobs.
I’m not sure if there’s a definite solution to this as much as I do think that customers can stand to appreciate service and servers can appreciate the gratuity customers are able to provide. In a perfect utopia, everyone would tip 20 percent or more and every server would give their 110 percent effort at every table they serve. Sadly, this isn’t true either way.
The concept of tipping has been as big of a discussion as picking a restaurant to dine out has been, the reality is that it shouldn’t be. If you were provided service that exceeds your expectations then a friendly tip would be a great way to compliment your server for taking care of you.
With that being said, look forward to the holiday season, as it’s the season of giving – which often means more tips.
MM • Jan 8, 2020 at 10:50 pm
@D, the ” conditions where employers can pay sub-par wages for service work” are created by YOU by tipping. The only reason employers can get away with low wages is because they can justify it based on tips. When tips stop, then restaurant wages must go up (because if they didn’t go up in the absence of tipping, the workers would find jobs elsewhere in another line of work).
Baby Locs • Nov 4, 2019 at 10:35 pm
It has never been mandatory to tip. I was a server for 3 years and never expected a tip. I was simply doing my job that I was hired for. Was I tipped before? Absolutely, but I believe it was because of the performance I gave while doing my duty.
D • Nov 4, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Wow. Another self-important screed written by someone who doesn’t depend on tips to survive and doesn’t see the need to tip anyone else. There sure aren’t any articles/op eds/blogs/bathroom limericks that cover that subject anywhere else.
If tipping offends your sensibilities so much, don’t frequent establishments where tipping the staff is the normal etiquette. Nobody twisted your arm and made you choose to eat in a restaurant. Nobody hauled you into the spa for that massage. And, honestly, nobody wants to serve your cheap ass.
Cook your own food, pour your own drinks, wash your own dishes and delight in the robust flavors of your own exaggerated sense of self-importance.
Or, better yet, use your platform to attack the establishment that creates the conditions where employers can pay sub-par wages for service work and try to eliminate the whole need for tipping in the first place. I mean, it’s clear the concept offends your very sense of quid pro quo in an environment where people are employed to service others.
But picking on service employees – who’s employment often depends on their ability to absorb abuse for pittance wages – just illustrates the author as just another smug and self-absorbed facet of the very problem they climbed on their ratty little soapbox to complain about.
Talib • Nov 4, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Both myself and my wife are firm believers in this concept. Tipping was brought about to ensure speedy service. It has never become mandatory. Do people tip everybody they encounter who services them? When was the last time you tipped your grocer/clerk/bagger for doing their job? Do you tip your mechanic? A tip may be given for going above and beyond, never to be expected. In fact, we like to tip the bussers at restaurants more than the servers, they usually show a very hard work ethic.
Tip your janitors/custodians and tip your librarians.
Sam • Nov 4, 2019 at 11:56 am
“Just like working at their job is not a requirement” bro what?