Far From The Catastrophe Predicted by Corporate Whores

[Minimalist]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/2015073...6f9ae.html

Higher wages a surprising success for Seattle restaurant

SEATTLE (AP) — Menu prices are up 21 percent and you don't have to tip at Ivar's Salmon House on Seattle's Lake Union after the restaurant decided to institute the city's $15-an-hour minimum wage two years ahead of schedule.

Ivar's Seafood Restaurants President Bob Donegan decided to raise prices, tell customers that they don't need to tip and parcel the added revenue among the hourly staff.

For some of the restaurant's lesser-paid workers — including bussers and dishwashers — that's meant as much as 60 percent more. Revenue has soared, supportive customers are leaving additional tips even though they don't need to, and servers and bartenders are on pace to increase their annual pay by thousands, with wages for a few of the best compensated approaching $80,000 a year.

"It's been a surprise," Donegan said. "The customers seem to like it, the employees seem to like it, and it seems to be working, at least in this location."

[Longhorn]

I always found this tipping thing in America weird. It's horrible that waiters are so underpaid they have to rely on tips. Leaving tips around this part of the globe is a sign of good manners, and the tip is usually tiny. It works out just fine for both waiters and employers.

Here's hoping that it will become a new trend in the US
(incurable optimist, I know)

[Pyrrho]

I always found this tipping thing in America weird. It's horrible that waiters are so underpaid they have to rely on tips. Leaving tips around this part of the globe is a sign of good manners, and the tip is usually tiny. It works out just fine for both waiters and employers.

Here's hoping that it will become a new trend in the US
(incurable optimist, I know)

Tipping is weird.  And it is bad for both customers and servers.  Servers cannot count on being paid properly, as it depends on customer's whims, and customers are effectively charged more than the bill, which is annoying.  The price should be the price, not something else.

I think proper wages should be required, and tipping should be illegal, to stop this horrible practice.

[abaris]

Does that mean there are mandatory tips in some places? I mean, tipping is a sign of appreciation and/or compassion for the staff and not a duty.

[Pyrrho]

Does that mean there are mandatory tips in some places? I mean, tipping is a sign of appreciation and/or compassion for the staff and not a duty.

In the U.S., there are exceptions to ordinary minimum wage laws.  Typically, waitstaff have a lower minimum wage than regular minimum wage, as it is assumed that they will receive income in tips.  If people do not tip, then they will be making starvation wages (lower than the starvation wages that is ordinary minimum wage at present).

It is not required by law that you tip them.  But it is generally expected.

Now, the situation actually is a bit more complicated, as some individual small governments do have minimum wage requirements that may exceed the federal minimum wage requirements, and a business must comply with all laws.  So if a business is in a town with a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage, then the business must pay that higher amount.

[abaris]

Typically, waitstaff have a lower minimum wage than regular minimum wage, as it is assumed that they will receive income in tips.  If people do not tip, then they will be making starvation wages (lower than the starvation wages that is ordinary minimum wage at present).

Pretty much the same here. Also with Taxi drivers. But every employer has to observe minimum wages nonetheless. They just don't pay more than that or find some loophole, such as clocking less working hours. There are exemptions if someone is employed for less than 40 hours a week.

[Cato]

I always found this tipping thing in America weird.

What's worse is not knowing any better and being well meaning only to be thoroughly chastised by an insulted server after the mere suggestion of providing a gratuity.