Vents: Random Acts of Venting!

[The Troll]

Palehorse, I need to Random Vent.  The other day my wife and I were in a Steak and Shake and after we put in order.  Three little old white haired ladies were just getting up and starting to leave.

  One of the so called ladies put down a small white card, no money.  Well, I had to see what she left.  It was a Bible Verse.

   I watch the waitress pick up their dirty dishes and I watched her walk back to the kitchen and show the other people back there the card.  They all walk out and watch the old ladies walk out leaving the smell of their cheap perfume behind. 

   Well, I went to the internet.  Guess what the minmum wage of a waitress is in Indiana.  $2.13 per hour plus tips. 

   Readers of the Unknown Zone are these people, good Christians?   Your Answer.  Should the Troll vent.

The Troll 

[dan foster]

Palehorse, I need to Random Vent.  The other day my wife and I were in a Steak and Shake and after we put in order.  Three little old white haired ladies were just getting up and starting to leave.

  One of the so called ladies put down a small white card, no money.  Well, I had to see what she left.  It was a Bible Verse.

   I watch the waitress pick up their dirty dishes and I watched her walk back to the kitchen and show the other people back there the card.  They all walk out and watch the old ladies walk out leaving the smell of their cheap perfume behind. 

   Well, I went to the internet.  Guess what the minmum wage of a waitress is in Indiana.  $2.13 per hour plus tips. 

   Readers of the Unknown Zone are these people, good Christians?   Your Answer.  Should the Troll vent.

The Troll 

First brush; old people suck.  Second brush; old religious people really suck.  Third brush; the asshole that told these "ladies" to put that down in place of a tip should be dragged out and horse whipped.

[pariann]

Palehorse, I need to Random Vent.  The other day my wife and I were in a Steak and Shake and after we put in order.  Three little old white haired ladies were just getting up and starting to leave.

  One of the so called ladies put down a small white card, no money.  Well, I had to see what she left.  It was a Bible Verse.

   I watch the waitress pick up their dirty dishes and I watched her walk back to the kitchen and show the other people back there the card.  They all walk out and watch the old ladies walk out leaving the smell of their cheap perfume behind. 

   Well, I went to the internet.  Guess what the minimum wage of a waitress is in Indiana.  $2.13 per hour plus tips. 

   Readers of the Unknown Zone are these people, good Christians?   Your Answer.  Should the Troll vent.

The Troll 

First of all.....it's NONE of your business WHAT anyone leaves on their table at a restaurant. Secondly, the public is NOT obligated to leave a tip for anyone.  There is a reason that it's called a gratuity.  It shows gratitude for the service received.  Everyone must eat, whether they are going to the grocery store to buy food, or going to a restaurant.  Most people do their best to budget for meals.  No one needs to budget to pay someone a wage who is not their employee.  Servers are not the employee's of the public, they are not contract workers, they are hired and paid by the eating establishment.   Thirdly, you have no idea what the circumstance were for those three white hairs.  For all you know, the one that shared the bible verse was not the one walking around with money in her purse.  Not the person paying for the meal.   Or she may have budgeted for a once a month meal out and is on a fixed income that makes tipping difficult, especially if she may be paying a co-pay on her old people's meds that so many are on.  You just don't know, and it's not your place to make a judgment. 

When you looked up the servers wage, did you also read that if a server is not averaging normal minimum wage for the hours worked, that the employer has to make up the difference on his/her paychecks?  If that is not happening, THEN the server has been stiffed.  But I can tell you from personal experience and over 30 years of working in and out of the food and beverage business that most servers will average during their working week MORE than the regular minimum wage.  Most servers work about 4 hours a shift.  If they walk out with a minimum of $35 in tips, they've made minimum wage.  That's 8.75 + 2.13 = 10.88.  You should worry about how much gratitude you feel at the end of the meal and not what others feel.  It's not a competition and it doesn't make anyone a worse person for not leaving a tip. 

Servers know how to handle repeat customers who are stingy.  They also understand the economy, they are living in it too.   By the way, did you double your tip that night to make up for what the ladies didn't leave, if you had the same waitress?  And if not, did you stop her and give her a little something because you felt bad that she got stiffed?   Or are you one of those people that just likes to point out what you think others do wrong (or that don't meet your expectations) but do nothing about it?  Better yet, are you one of those people that feels NO ONE should tell you how to spend your own money?   If you are....shut the hell up about what those white hairs didn't spend.  Like I said in the beginning, what someone else leaves on their table is none of your business.

[Henry Hawk]

Holy Crap Pariann, THAT was well said!!! and dead on correct!...

[pariann]

I felt it was.  As someone who has spent most of her working life relying on tips, I feel well qualified to defend the public.

[me]

I felt it was.  As someone who has spent most of her working life relying on tips, I feel well qualified to defend the public.

I would say you're right.  One more thing he didn't think about is that no one may have had the cash, small bills, to leave a tip on the table and tipped her when they paid the bill.

[me]

Bet I don't let the date slip up on me next year come time to renew the plates......just spent over an hour at the license branch.  There may be more parking where they moved to but once you get inside it's smaller and you're crammed in like sardines.   

[Anne]

First of all.....it's NONE of your business WHAT anyone leaves on their table at a restaurant. Secondly, the public is NOT obligated to leave a tip for anyone.  There is a reason that it's called a gratuity.  It shows gratitude for the service received.  Everyone must eat, whether they are going to the grocery store to buy food, or going to a restaurant.  Most people do their best to budget for meals.  No one needs to budget to pay someone a wage who is not their employee.  Servers are not the employee's of the public, they are not contract workers, they are hired and paid by the eating establishment.   Thirdly, you have no idea what the circumstance were for those three white hairs.  For all you know, the one that shared the bible verse was not the one walking around with money in her purse.  Not the person paying for the meal.   Or she may have budgeted for a once a month meal out and is on a fixed income that makes tipping difficult, especially if she may be paying a co-pay on her old people's meds that so many are on.  You just don't know, and it's not your place to make a judgment. 

When you looked up the servers wage, did you also read that if a server is not averaging normal minimum wage for the hours worked, that the employer has to make up the difference on his/her paychecks?  If that is not happening, THEN the server has been stiffed.  But I can tell you from personal experience and over 30 years of working in and out of the food and beverage business that most servers will average during their working week MORE than the regular minimum wage.  Most servers work about 4 hours a shift.  If they walk out with a minimum of $35 in tips, they've made minimum wage.  That's 8.75 + 2.13 = 10.88.  You should worry about how much gratitude you feel at the end of the meal and not what others feel.  It's not a competition and it doesn't make anyone a worse person for not leaving a tip. 

Servers know how to handle repeat customers who are stingy.  They also understand the economy, they are living in it too.   By the way, did you double your tip that night to make up for what the ladies didn't leave, if you had the same waitress?  And if not, did you stop her and give her a little something because you felt bad that she got stiffed?   Or are you one of those people that just likes to point out what you think others do wrong (or that don't meet your expectations) but do nothing about it?  Better yet, are you one of those people that feels NO ONE should tell you how to spend your own money?   If you are....shut the hell up about what those white hairs didn't spend.  Like I said in the beginning, what someone else leaves on their table is none of your business.

Well said.

[dan foster]

First of all.....it's NONE of your business WHAT anyone leaves on their table at a restaurant. Secondly, the public is NOT obligated to leave a tip for anyone.  There is a reason that it's called a gratuity.  It shows gratitude for the service received.  Everyone must eat, whether they are going to the grocery store to buy food, or going to a restaurant.  Most people do their best to budget for meals.  No one needs to budget to pay someone a wage who is not their employee.  Servers are not the employee's of the public, they are not contract workers, they are hired and paid by the eating establishment.   Thirdly, you have no idea what the circumstance were for those three white hairs.  For all you know, the one that shared the bible verse was not the one walking around with money in her purse.  Not the person paying for the meal.   Or she may have budgeted for a once a month meal out and is on a fixed income that makes tipping difficult, especially if she may be paying a co-pay on her old people's meds that so many are on.  You just don't know, and it's not your place to make a judgment. 

When you looked up the servers wage, did you also read that if a server is not averaging normal minimum wage for the hours worked, that the employer has to make up the difference on his/her paychecks?  If that is not happening, THEN the server has been stiffed.  But I can tell you from personal experience and over 30 years of working in and out of the food and beverage business that most servers will average during their working week MORE than the regular minimum wage.  Most servers work about 4 hours a shift.  If they walk out with a minimum of $35 in tips, they've made minimum wage.  That's 8.75 + 2.13 = 10.88.  You should worry about how much gratitude you feel at the end of the meal and not what others feel.  It's not a competition and it doesn't make anyone a worse person for not leaving a tip. 

Servers know how to handle repeat customers who are stingy.  They also understand the economy, they are living in it too.   By the way, did you double your tip that night to make up for what the ladies didn't leave, if you had the same waitress?  And if not, did you stop her and give her a little something because you felt bad that she got stiffed?   Or are you one of those people that just likes to point out what you think others do wrong (or that don't meet your expectations) but do nothing about it?  Better yet, are you one of those people that feels NO ONE should tell you how to spend your own money?   If you are....shut the hell up about what those white hairs didn't spend.  Like I said in the beginning, what someone else leaves on their table is none of your business.

What a crock.  Obviously, you have never had to wait tables, or perhaps know anything about servers and their tips;

First, THAT IS THEIR INCOME from the work they are doing.  The wages restaurants, bars, _____ (put any service industry in the blank) pay just cover the taxes ON THE TIPS, THE INCOME SERVERS MAKE FOR THEIR EFFORT.  So, jackass, this isn't Japan where tipping isn't customary, it is in a land of sweat shop labor where companies don't pay the staff, you do.  The old ladies used religion to stiff a hard working person, or do you think they are just there for YOUR entertainment and their getting stiffed is the fun part?

[andersonbrent]

What a crock.  Obviously, you have never had to wait tables, or perhaps know anything about servers and their tips;

First, THAT IS THEIR INCOME from the work they are doing.  The wages restaurants, bars, _____ (put any service industry in the blank) pay just cover the taxes ON THE TIPS, THE INCOME SERVERS MAKE FOR THEIR EFFORT.  So, jackass, this isn't Japan where tipping isn't customary, it is in a land of sweat shop labor where companies don't pay the staff, you do.  The old ladies used religion to stiff a hard working person, or do you think they are just there for YOUR entertainment and their getting stiffed is the fun part?

He obviously did not read what you wrote to does not understand simple English.

[pariann]

What a crock.  Obviously, you have never had to wait tables, or perhaps know anything about servers and their tips;

First, THAT IS THEIR INCOME from the work they are doing.  The wages restaurants, bars, _____ (put any service industry in the blank) pay just cover the taxes ON THE TIPS, THE INCOME SERVERS MAKE FOR THEIR EFFORT.  So, jackass, this isn't Japan where tipping isn't customary, it is in a land of sweat shop labor where companies don't pay the staff, you do.  The old ladies used religion to stiff a hard working person, or do you think they are just there for YOUR entertainment and their getting stiffed is the fun part?

I'm a jackass?  I've worked for tips since I was 17 years old.  There have been places where I worked for "normal" minimum wage plus tips, above "normal" minimum wage plus tips and server wage plus tips.  Do you know how they tax your tips? They ASSUME how much you make up to the normal minimum wage and tax that. Rarely have I worked in a place where you legitimately report your tips.  In one place it was 8% of your total sales. In most, it's just a rough estimate.  Only one place have I ever worked where they actually tax what you are really tipped and that was where all tips were paid to the place of business on my account and then I received them on my paycheck. 

Shall I sit here and write out a list of all the places I've worked as a tipped employee over the last 32 years?  Starting with the B&K Root Beer stand that is no longer on the corner of 17th and Jackson here in Anderson?

Don't tell me what the purpose of tips are.  I KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSE IS.  As well, I also know that no one is obligated to tip just because they receive service.  If a server doesn't make adequate tips, they might need to evaluate their job performance.  I can make a living wage as a waitress, but it's because I WORK for it.  I don't just clock in and expect the customers to pay my bills.

[Henry Hawk]

just my opinion, but some people truely show exactly how much they don't know what they are talking about...this is another fine example right here.....

Pariann, I never had the opportunity to be a waiter, but I take your word, rock solid, as knowing what you are talking about here.  And your point about it being nobody elses business to whom leaves tips or not is dead on.  They don't know all the facts, just someone nib nosing into other peoples business.  Also, IF this was true and these ladies really did STIFF the waitress, and the nib nose knew it, then they could have stepped up to the plate and helped this waitress out....but I guess THAT would not be anybody else's buisness then, huh? (sarcasm)....

again, Pariann, nice job!

[pariann]

I'd like Dan and others to think about this.  The recommended amount you tip a waitress these days is between 15 and 20%.  If I was making 15% on everything I sold to my customers, and only claimed 8% of my total sales...that's 7% of the sales that I'm hiding from the government, not only am I hiding that for tax purposes....I'm cheating myself on Social Security payments for my old age (should I still be able to receive that).  But then again, if I'm not even making that 8% in tips and the employer is still claiming it on my paychecks....I'm being taxed on money I've never even made.  So imagine that paycheck....if the server isn't making the money in tips and yet gets taxed on it....her paycheck isn't going to be next to nothing.  I'll say it again.  If she's getting 'stiffed' by the customers.....over and over, she needs to find another line of work, because it's obvious they aren't grateful for her service.

Afterthought: You make $300 in sales on your shift.... 15% would be $45, You work for 4 hours, you are making around $13 an hour with combined wages and tips.   Even if you work 5 hours you are still making over normal minimum wage.   The government believes that you can survive on the current minimum wage.  In general a server is lucky if she makes 10% in most restaurants.  But no matter HOW you look at it, there is no law anywhere that requires the public to contribute any more to an employee's income other than paying for their (usually) over priced meal.

[Sandy Eggo]

I've worked in the service industry as a server, bartender, banquet server, etc. so I feel qualified to say that not being tipped for good service...sucks. It does happen despite how hard you work, how good the product is or how charming you are.

I'm glad people notice heels so that they can either tip more or point it out to someone who doesn't tip and doesn't think anyone notices so that they'll realize people do and at least leave a little something for good service.

In the case of the waitress above, I've been left with religious material...in a bar lol...I trashed it. I think in their minds they think they're giving the service person the greatest gift of all and don't realize they're just being cheap.

As for it being none of anyone elses business..true, but when have humans in general been known to not notice what other people are doing or not? As for not knowing the whole story...good point, but I was never as magnanimous as Pari.I worked my azz off, with a huge smile, and if someone didn't tip then I secretly called them what I thought they deserved to be called.

Tipping is part of the cost of some establishments. If you don't want to tip there's lots of other options.

Just my .02

[pariann]

Like I also said...when you have repeat customers who don't tip....you learn how to handle them.   I've been known to turn non-tippers into at least 10 percenters.