[klodolph]

The employer will only make up their wage to minimum. Ask any waiter whose base rate is below minimum how this works.

The problem is that this is only done when the base wage + tips over a period falls below minimum wage. So it’s less likely that the employer will make up the difference, and more likely that other people around who are following social conventions will make up the difference, and the waiter will simply earn less money on days when you show up, and you will pay less money for food, because your food is partially subsidized by people who tip.

[username90]

Waiters wants tipping to stay since they make way more than typical unskilled workers with tips. Which is why you shouldn't tip, they make more than they should already. The best way to make them demand proper wages is to stop tipping until their wages are in line with typical for their kind of work.

[klodolph]

> The best way to make them demand proper wages is to stop tipping until their wages are in line with typical for their kind of work.

Perhaps that would work if everyone did it. This would require a lot of organization, some kind of massive anti-tipping movement across our entire society, in order for it to work.

In the absence of such a social movement, the actual effect of not tipping is that you benefit and your waiter suffers. So, I guess the question is—are your actions to not tip waiters coordinated with a movement of other people with the goal of achieving change? Or are you simply cheap, and looking for a way to feel good about it?

[MeinBlutIstBlau]

I know I hate to be "that guy" but I've worked at restaurants with waiters. Half the time they are college kids or drug addicts. Or frankly have 0 skills whatsoever.

Regardless, not tipping is my statement of "go work in a factory if you hate minimum wage. plenty of people do it, so can you." And women especially cannot say they can't do that work. I've worked in a factory as well, FILLED with minority groups of all ages, weight, gender, and and lifestyles. Just because you're a white girl "destined for more" doesn't mean you can't ship digornios while you make ends meet.

[mbirth]

That poor suffering waiter is free to choose any other job where he/she gets paid more. Like any other worker hating his/her job.

And if lots waiters quit their jobs, the wages will rise very quickly.

[username90]

I don't live in the US, I am not talking about individual efforts. I am talking about how to end the shitty system you have in the US.

[ghaff]

Service charges are common in many countries.