[walru]

True, but at the same time not every bartender makes a great cocktail, or cares to. If people want service levels to race to the bottom this is the way to do it.

The main problem with the DD model is that they're asking people to decide a tip before being provided a service. That's unfair to the customer and driver. As far as paying a decent wage before that, DD could provide a mile cost reimbursement as well as one for the time spent on the order. Paying the driver a blanket fee for every order they deliver rather than one based on time and millage is not sustainable. I understand that's much how the model used to work, but the whole thing about tip culture is rewarding people who do the little things to make the experience worth it for you having to pay extra. As a customer of DD you're only going to be aware of things after you've received your food.

Also, if a bartender is not getting the best shifts, that may be because the bar cycles their shifts or they aren't as good, or maybe Wednesday is a busier night and they only staff one bartender so that person may end up doing better than having to split a bar with several others. That said, if it's busier on a Saturday and the bartenders are getting hammered, why should they have to subsidize the bartender who isn't there?

[seventhtiger]

Tipping is a poor form of quality control. If you get a bad cocktail, ask for a new one or speak with the manager and give your direct feedback. Paying less puts them in a complex game of guessing why you did that.

[pluma]

I too think my bartender should starve if they make so-so a cocktail.

[walru]

I didn't say that. My point is that people who excel at their jobs should have the ability to be rewarded. Do you disagree?

[robryan]

The problem is when a tip is expected in almost all circumstances. Pay them a proper wage for their ability and set prices accordingly.

You can still have tips but it shifts from basically every time to instances of truly exceptional performance.

[pluma]

American tipping culture exists in the service industry because the base wage is not livable. Yes, tips should not be mandatory. But first you need a livable minimum wage or otherwise "tipping" is not primarily about rewarding outstanding service but about making sure they can eat.

[walru]

I agree with you fully. The fact that certain states are still so far behind with paying a wage under $3/hr is archaic and needs to be shamed until it is brought up with federal/region standards.

That said, the biggest problem with most service type employees right now, and this sadly gets away from DD, but is the amount of hours they are being given to work. I know many people who only get 12-18 hours a week at their service job (and even worse, you can be sent home early or even called off if it's slow), and even in CA where minimum wage is $14.25, one cannot pay rent let alone earn a living or even hope to have or provide for a family.

[tssva]

Quality bartenders generate increased revenue for businesses by either being more efficient and/or driving additional business. If a bartender excels at their job this can be objectively measured and their pay rate increased vs their peers as a reward.