Your cost of food would go up dramatically and the servers, at decent places and better, would make less money. My buddy is the GM for a steak house, I asked him to run the numbers one time based on food cost/profit margins/etc, I won't quote the increase because I don't remember all the specifics..............but it was a lot.

I used to be friends with a lot of people in the service industry before I moved. Even in my favorite dive bar in Tulsa, bartenders easily made $250 a night in tips........how do you think they are going to react to "No tips, $12/hr." There are plenty of educated people, 4 year degrees, that work in the service industry because if you're good and work at a good establishment, you can make well above an entry-level job outside of a STEM career, and you can work as much or as little as you want, when you want, etc.

 

Z31. You are totally discounting the ability of the marketplace to adjust pay to value.

 

It doesn't sound like you've ever worked in a actual job where tips were significant on top of minimum wage nor have experience with operating a business. In my experience, this tends to be regular sit-down restaurant food servers (not Subway or a coffee shop) and bartenders that mix drinks (not just pour beer). you wouldn't be able to afford the food if restaurants had to pay $15/hr. Honestly, any restaurant you frequent is operating on a shoestring budget.

Friday night as a food server means 4:30P to 11P + some time for closing, so let's call it an 8hr shift to keep it clean. NOTE: food servers area rarely 40hr/week jobs

Minimum wage job - $8.50/hr for 40hrs/wk = $340/wk
Food service - $8.50/hr for 30hrs/wk (6 shifts, 5hrs) = $255
Food service tips across 6 shifts (2 lunch $50 tips, 4 dinner $80 tips) $100 + $320
NEW $15 minimum wage at a restaurant (assumes the restaurants don't close, lay people off, raise prices such that fewer customers come in) = $450


So for working 30hrs per week, I could regularly earn $575/wk or $19/hr


I'm skeptical of $250/night unless it's a female bartender with a size zero waist and huge rack working at the hottest lounge/dance club. Otherwise, sure, $90-$120/nt. Food servers will walk with similar after a 5hr shift on busy nights and probably 75% of that on off shifts.

 

Be skeptical? These are people I used to hang and party with regularly. $100 was a week night.

 

The simple math for a weekend night shift server for Carrabba's or Outback would be 4 tables x 4 turns x minimum $15 tip if they were all two person tables = $240. Tips would be greater if it was a four person seating, and you wouldn't put a rookie on 4 tables, people that don't drink liquor or wine end up with a lower bill and usually tip less, so there are some variables. And the waitress has to tip out the bartender and sometimes the busboy. And then there's the biggest one which is they don't pay taxes on most of the tips.

 

Diamond. I did not follow your argument.

No, I have never worked for tips.

I still do not like them. I’ve certainly seen waiters abused with the tip as a weapon.

I get tired of wait staff blaming all issues on the kitchen in order to protect their tips. Maybe it is usually the kitchen, but I prefer a strong, direct answer from someone willing to step up, rather than a whiner.

Same buck-passing in the carpet industry. Buy the carpet from a store, it is laid by an independent contractor. Have an issue and watch the dance begin. Good for everyone but the customer.

So, I have multiple reasons to remove the now federal tax codified tip culture.

Not it sure I will have much more to add.

 

When I used to run Waffle Houses, and yes, I used to run Waffle Houses, I would have girls who would easily bring home over $200 on first shift on a Saturday or Sunday morning. That is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

So don't tell me a bartender can't do it, lol.

 

I have mixed opinions on tipping, but I think it's a decent equalizer. Good waiters make $$$$, crappy ones make $ and eventually quit.
I eat out almost every day and there are a TON of shitty waiters out there, that I have no problem leaving small or no tip for. When I have to invite myself into the kitchen to refill my drink, you're not getting anything.
There are other places that I regularly leave a 50% tip because the waiters are amazing. Drink is kept full, stop back every so often to see if everything is good, bring the check in a reasonable amount of time, etc.

 

I have only once in my life not left a tip and it was when a waiter straight up disappeared. Waited 30 minutes and never saw him. Walked to the bar to pay for my food and only that. Ironically this was like last week.

I stay in hotels a TON. I've never tipped the maid. But I guess you're supposed to. For all I care the maid can skip my room for the entirety of my stay. Not sure I'm gonna start tipping them, and I'm at a hotel now actually.

 

If I don't leave a tip, the manager knows why by that point.

 

Even if I have the Do-Not-Disturb sign out (which I normally do everywhere I stay) the entire time, I still throw down $1day... building up karma for that time I totally **** up a room rock-star-style and get away with it... aka VS-35 Blue Wolves on Stennis '04 cruise... you ******* know who I'm talking to!