[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Not that you're being sexist, or anything, the assumption being that Tiffany--at whatever restaurant--has to give some T&A in order to be compensated?

I tried to get a job waiting tables at Hooters, but they wouldn't hire me. Not enough T&A. I guess you wore a burka when you were a cocktail waitress...

You misunderstand me completely. I am, and have repeatedly stated, I'm all in favor of people being remunerated in accordance with their capabilities. It's why I dislike unions;

That's interesting. It's why I like unions. I never did like working 16-hour days for low wages.

Feel free to try it any time you think it's easy work.

No one ever said waiting tables was easy work. No need to get defensive.

Nor will I talk much about just how much FUN it is to be a young woman waitress in a bar with a bunch of boozehounds. You think that Tiffany is having FUN, batting her eyelashes? While she ducks grabby hands and everything else? You've probably never had a drunken patron waiting for you when you come out of the ladies', to paw your bits, right? Well, trust me: Tiffany has.)

If Tiffany put up with it, than she was a fool. Waiting tables isn't the only job out there. If it was all of us would have done it. Most of us haven't.

Would you feel that a 35-y.o. waitress was "more entitled" to a living wage than one just out of High School?

If she'd been doing it for the past 15 years, and did it well, absolutely yes!

What if the 20-something was better at it than the 35-y.o.? Is she entitled THEN?

Absolutely, yes. Under the salary system, people with skills and abilities increase their earnings. They don't have to depend upon handouts from strangers.

Or is only "educated" people that are entitled to earn what a teacher does--someone who works 9 months out of the year?

A US teacher might 'teach' classes 9 months out of the year, but;
A) during those 9 months puts in 12-16 hour days five to six days a week, and
B) In most states, starts working back at school a month before the students arrive, and doesn't finish for almost a month after the students are done.

I don't feel that paying waiters and waitresses tips is "extortion."

If we are 'required' to leave a generous tip regardless of the service provided, and we are if we wish to get served again in the same restaurant, then we are being extorted. I've even eaten in restaurants in NYC where you had to put your tip on the table BEFORE a waiter would even take your order. THAT is extortion!

In fact, it is in keeping with my general take on the world, that good performance is rewarded. What amazes me is that so many people think that restaurants make so much money that they could afford to pay in wages what a waiter or waitress earns, otherwise, in tips.

Perhaps if you traveled outside the US more, you'd see that it is actually being done in virtually every country.

How much is that person that you're not tipping making, per year, compared to what it costs for someone to live--comfortably--there? Can they buy a house on it? Have a family? What are the real numbers?
Hitch

Instead of numbers, use life-style. The life-style of the average waiter in the US is not 'let's fly to the Bahamas for the weekend, dear. There's nothing good on TV.' A waiter's life is pretty much the same all over the world... Unless working in a top resort area, it's just another job. Enough to pay the rent, 'help' support a family, and maybe take a small vacation now and then. Unfortunately, that vacation is being paid by their customers rather than their employers, and THAT is where it all goes wrong.

Stitchawl