Shadowgirls

Those who wield any form of power tend to think anyone who doesn't are less then ants.  For that reason she reminds me of the local judge who ordered a pizza and got an *Ahem* special ingredient, Lets just say I hope his daughter didn't drop it in her lap.

Thats why I make sure I treat people decently and tip well when I can.

You know what?

We DON'T tip in Australia. I mean it is not even a standard thing to tip. Like some people do, but not to the extent I have heard it is like in the US where you are 'supposed' to tip X% and such. (Correct me if I am wrong)

Tink said:

Oh no, it's standard to tip here, unless you get really crummy service.  Wages for food service people are usually minimum-wage-ish, and in some states the tips that you're supposed to get count toward the minimum-wage, and you get taxed on it.  And then some bastich like THAT shows up and wants everything delivered to the hotel room within the hour, put a little cayenne pepper on the turkey, and oh, could you check the back to see if this comes in blue?  And then you go home, and if you're over 21 or have understanding parents, you drink.

Er- why YES I worked retail AND food service.  Why do you ask?

That seems so whacky and sucky to me.

My brother in law is an apprentice chef, and from what I know he makes a semi descent wage already. Any tips for the night are taken in and divied out evenly at the end of the night to those who worked. And this is just a little bonus. But I mean, the tip is not worked into the wage, and there is no expectation for you to tip.

adamas said:

Heh I've worked in food service most of my working life. Tink's actually understating the issue somewhat. Federal law says that "Tip dependant" jobs like a waitress/waiter actually get guarenteed less per hour. If the Fed hourly wage Plus tips doesn't meet Federal Minimum wages, the employer has to make it up.

I've been a cook,waiter,and dishwasher, they all suck. Waiting tables is the worst, you can catch unholy hell if something is wrong and it's not even your fault. The steak is too rare? Scream at the waitress. Chair has a lumpy cushion? Scream at the waiter. Window's streaked from the rain? Scream at the waitress. I think everybody should work just 1 year, hell 1 SUMMER in either retail (I mean like a grocery store or mall outlet, not a million dollar boutique) or food service. I'll just bet they'd treat ppl who do that job for a living with some respect.

That said, there are nice customers. One guy would tip the entire staff 5-10 dollar each, even us in the back, even if he only bought a $5 hamburger and fries. I asked him why, since dishwashers usually don't get shite. He said "I've been at the grill and over that sink. None of you make what you deserve to." And the owner only "Marked" half of the waitress' tips for the Min-wage paperwork. And never marked what that customer gave us.

I worked 3 years at a Coles outlet. Started off on check outs then went to Night Manager. That job would have been cruisey except for having customers. Damn nuisances!

Tink said:

Some states are better than others, though- Federal law is the way it is, but if you're in a state with halfway decent labor laws, they'll have to pay you minimum wage as a base.  Which is still kind of crummy, but at least you're not getting $2.50/hour.

Also: http://notalwaysright.com/

I love these sites!