a friendly tip from your waitress

January 24th, 2008 · 259 comments

at the washington restaurant where scott works, a customer recently informed one of his coworkers that when she was a waitress back in the day, tips were regarded as a luxury (a sentiment that’s been echoed by many commenters on this site).

thrilled as she was by this little history lesson, scott’s coworker decided a little present-day tutorial was only fair. says scott: “she retrieved her most recent paycheck (zero dollars and zero cents…in d.c., servers make $2.77 an hour, which all goes to taxes), wrote a little note, and dropped it on the table after they had paid their check.”

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Tags: d.c. · restaurant

259 responses so far ↓

#1 mamason

Come on! Next thing you know she’ll be claiming that food is a luxury. Or a home. Or air… luxuries all!

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm rating: +2

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#2 mamason

Food and beverage workers motto-

Work harder and take less pay!

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:15 pm rating: +2

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- #2.1 Juliet
  
  You’ve hit the nail on the head, Mamason!
  
  I’ve said this before… if you want to eat in restaurants, you should have to work in one somewhere for at least a week.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:24 am rating: +1
- #2.2 Tom
  
  ha, screw that! I never have nor will I never work food service. Besides, growing up in Vegas, I’m used to shelling out the extra cash, so I usually tip well if the service was good.
  
  But it’s bullshit that you should have to bribe someone to get good service. I now live in Japan and servers, bartenders, delivery people etc. refuse tips. They’ll run down the street after you to give your money back. They also bend over backwards to give you great service with a smile.
  
  Jan 30, 2008 at 6:53 am rating: 0
- #2.3 angela
  
  Tips aren’t required. If someone CHOOSES to work for such shitty pay in such a crap industry, that’s their fault.
  
  Feb 5, 2008 at 6:32 pm rating: 0
- #2.4 ghrelin
  
  Totally, Angela. It’s all about choice. The stupid worker could’ve CHOSEN to be president of a massive corporation instead of being a server. I mean, it’s not like there’s this thing called “demographic reality” that precludes most people from achieving satisfying, rewarding careers or anything. Let’s skip tipping altogether from now on. Until the peons CHOOSE to become engineers, no dental work for them!
  
  Mar 6, 2008 at 2:40 pm rating: 0
- #2.5 Meg
  
  hells yeah, you just laid the smackdown.
  
  Mar 25, 2008 at 1:26 pm rating: 0
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#3 anglophile

But did they leave a tip?

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:18 pm rating: +2

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- #3.1 mere
  
  yeah, i wanted to know if they left a tip as well.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 1:41 pm rating: 0
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#4 Karen

So, if she left her little note on the table after the guest paid (and I presume left), who did she leave the note for ?

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:18 pm rating: +2

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- #4.1 pry
  
  well, typically the waitress brings back your credit card receipt to sign. i assume that’s when she hit them with this.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 6:27 pm rating: +1
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#5 Maddy

Hmm, a sense of humour always helps.
Cheers

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:19 pm rating: +2

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#6 Canthz_B

If the customer had to mention to the server that a tip is an extra on their bill (a luxury), perhaps that was a hint asking for better service. Dropping your pity party in some one’s lap is unlikely to garner sympathy. Just annoyance. Way to cut off nose and spite face!

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:26 pm rating: +1

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#7 Canthz_B

Who, for God’s sakes, is in a 100% tax bracket?

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:28 pm rating: +1

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- #7.1 Suhayla
  
  I was wondering the same thing. I was also wondering what the F-ing point is of cutting a cheque for $0.00… seems like a waste of expensive stationary to me.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 6:37 pm rating: 0
- #7.2 mamason
  
  When I worked as a bookkeeper for a restaurant, I freqently had situations where a check cut was for nada. Servers have to claim a percentage of their nightly receipts. If you work for 5 hrs and your checks total $300.00, you have to claim at least $30.00. Do the math. At an average of $2.50 phr, wages don’t even cover their taxes and they could end up owing money at the end of the year.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 6:52 pm rating: +1
- #7.3 Canthz_B
  
  Ummm…that equation excluded tips actually received. Frequently the table that pays 20% balances out the table that paid 10%. The table that paid a 30% tip balances out the stiff.
  Sometimes, wonder of wonders, servers do not report all of their tips.
  Over time, it works out. Otherwise we would have no servers.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 7:09 pm rating: 0
- #7.4 Canthz_B
  
  Wait a minute. That makes no sense. Below a certain income level you are exempt from taxes. How could they owe at year’s end? In fact, the Gov. sends you a check for the taxes they took all year.
  
  Just curious, possibly ignorant as well.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 7:18 pm rating: 0
- #7.5 webster
  
  @7.1
  pet peeve
  
  stationary
  
  stationery
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 7:43 pm rating: +2
- #7.6 Suhayla
  
  You know where you can shove your pet peeve, right? I’m not being mean or anything. Just making nice.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 8:30 pm rating: 0
- #7.7 senor subagua
  
  had a buddy that waited tables at the marriott in d.c. about 15 years ago — a $60,o00 a year gig… IRS made an example of the wait staff there for the benefit of all wait staff everywhere who don’t report their tips — totaled up all of their checks, assumed a 15% tip, and presented the appropriate demand for payment… might be related…
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 8:53 pm rating: +2
- #7.8 Suhayla
  
  um, 15% of what exactly? of their wages? of the earnings of the restaurant? did they factor in the fluid workforce? to be honest, this sounds like an urban legend to me… I understand having to declare a $30 minimum, but if you work 8 hours and there are no customers for your shift… I must admit, I am not nor have I ever been a “server” or what you might call “waitstaff” but I have a sixth sense when it comes to BS, and this, comrade, smells a lot like crap.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 9:02 pm rating: 0
- #7.9 senor subagua
  
  not bs at all, pal… they took 15% of the credit card receipts of all tables waited on by particular servers — just like they did in this other washington area restaurant:
  
  http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1196481.html
  
  took me all of about 30 seconds to find this and several other similar articles… my buddy actually got his tax bill in 1990, a couple of years after he left marriott. how ’bout doing a little research before spouting off about your “six sense,” ‘kay “comrade”?
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 9:34 pm rating: +1
- #7.10 RALPHY
  
  Damn Webster–I clicked on your hot link, thinking I was going to get to watch a cool link on youtube, but instead I had to smoke my brain and actually read something. Thanks for the headache.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 11:48 pm rating: +1
- #7.11 justhaveto
  
  The article cited clearly states: discrepancies between what the waiters said they earned and what the restaurant’s credit card receipts showed they had received.
  It does not say 15% of the credit card receipts of all tables waited on by particular servers.
  
  “The IRS audit compared the total tip income reported by the restaurant to the IRS with the individual tax returns of the waiters who worked there-a comparison that showed large discrepancies between what the waiters said they earned and what the restaurant’s credit card receipts showed they had received.”
  
  My 6th sense says bs on top of bs.
  Pay your taxes,or face prison time.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 12:56 am rating: 0
- #7.12 webster
  
  sorry to smoke the brain there, ralphy. here’s adding fuel to the fire:
  here’s this one for you. #26
  The follow-on comment is worth reading.
  P/A notes (the site) is nothing if not an exercise in being self-referential (current note a case in point).
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 8:08 am rating: +2
- #7.13 webster
  
  and may we miss his poor wandering soul. Where is ya’ WP?
  
  anyway - not staying on topic, but it’s all been
  said before Note 69.
  I’m not being mean or anything. Just making nice.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 8:35 am rating: +2
- #7.14 Suhayla
  
  Well, if my consistant inability to discern between stationary and stationery bother you so much, I think I’ll just have to keep that in mind… It’s not likely to change anytime soon though, I’m pretty set in my ways! Now if you were my thesis supervisor… THAT might make a difference. But even then I’m not sure.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:14 am rating: +2
- #7.15 webster
  
  It is in fact incredibly difficult to discern (for me). And this is the only way I remember, anyway. Good luck to ya! if you want or need it.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:28 am rating: +2
- #7.16 senor subagua
  
  Ah, so it’s the tip estimation that you take issue with? I Can’t link to nexis/lexis as it is a subscription service, but here’s a quote from Washington Times article dated June 18, 2002, that applies a 14% tip estimate on employers — similar to the situation that i posted where the irs went after the waiters themselves in the late 80s — but keep reading, it gets better:
  
  “The 6-3 ruling allows the IRS to continue collecting taxes from employers on cash tips based on those shown on credit card receipts.
  
  The IRS uses a system to estimate all tips using credit card receipts and assuming that cash ones averaged the same amount. Restaurant owners say the average - 14 percent - is not fair.”
  
  —-
  
  here’s another, from 1996, NYT, Oct. 24. This one didn’t rely on credit cards alone:
  
  The assessment method in question involved a case brought by the Bubble Room, a pair of 150-seat family restaurants in Captiva Island, Fla., and suburban Orlando. An I.R.S. agent, assigned to monitor compliance with tip reporting, assessed the restaurants for $32,000 in Social Security taxes, based on his estimate of unreported employee tips in 1989.
  The I.R.S. examined tips on meals paid for by credit cards and assumed that people who paid cash tipped at the same rate
  
  —-
  
  Or was your issue that the IRS didn’t go after wait staff directly? here’s a quote from Assoc. Press, Oct 29, 1999 regarding focusing on employees instead of restaurants… like they did in the pilot program that i originally posted, which only targeted a few upscale restaurants in D.C. in late 80s. That program, as i stated, was meant as a deterrent.
  
  “Even if waiters and waitresses aren’t reporting all their tips, the Internal Revenue Service says it will no longer audit restaurant owners as long as they do their best to comply with the tax laws.
  Instead, the IRS is shifting its enforcement focus to the employees, even though officials acknowledge that will be far more difficult to track due to lack of money and manpower.”
  
  —–
  
  ooooo! — here’s one from all the way back in 1979, Washington Post, June 16. This one actually concerns Marriott in DC and is clearly analogous to the case i mentioned:
  
  “According to Barbara Van Blarcum, director of corporate information for Marriott, the tip audits grew out of a routine tax examination of the company. From information provided by Marriott, the IRS calculated how many customers a waiter or waitress might have served on a typical day and how much food he sold, according to Van Blarcum. Using charge slips and bills, the IRS then computed how much a waiter or waitress would have earned in tips, assuming 10 to 15 percent of the bill as a gratuity, the IRS said.”
  
  in this case, the IRS presented the tax bills directly to the employee. i believe i have clearly vindicated myself in the face of your unwarranted and ill conceived attack; i usually don’t see folks at this site accuse each other of bs out of hand, but looking at some of your other posts — well, ’nuff said… consider yourself served.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:47 am rating: +2
- #7.17 Heidi
  
  Thats what I was thinking!
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 3:06 pm rating: +1
- #7.18 Josh
  
  Again, if you’ve never done this kind of work then you have no idea.
  
  Just like the immigration system. Few born americans have any idea how bad it really is.
  
  How do you think the minimum server wage has been $2.13 (in most states) longer than i can remember?
  
  Most servers I’ve worked with regularly got $0 dollar checks. Payday is always a joke. And no there is not usually overtime. A lot of places I’ve worked got away with ignoring any and all safety regulations also going so far as to not fix broken appliances and not replacing destroyed safety gear. How do they get away with all this? Lobbyist. Every year almost regulations and pay increase ideas come up and the restaurant lobby gets their panties in a wad complaining they can’t afford to pay people a living wage while at the same time trying to gauge the waitstaff for every penny they can. Talk to someone about the “convenience fee” they charge us for every credit card tip we receive. Yup, that’s right, every time you tip on a credit card, we get charged. To be fair the credit card processors gauge the hell out of small business owners but this is a special screw just for us.
  
  Seriously, just because you can’t believe it doesn’t make it not true. That’s how a lot of things are swept under the rug, because it can’t be true if it’s too sinister to be fathomed.
  
  One the other side some of you are right. In some cases, in some cities, in certain neighborhoods, on certain days and when venus is in the right house we do get paid well. We all have the $300 night story… That’s why it’s a story because the vast majority of us make around $100 a night on average.
  
  Right now I have so much education and experience I can’t even get a restaurant job to complain about.
  
  Seriously though; if you’ve never served tables then shut up.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm rating: +1
- #7.19 WanderingPenguin
  
  Hey webster, thanks for the shout-out. For one thing, I’ve been away for a few days…and then I come back to this thread with the same crap all over again. Unbelievable. I’ve really got nothing whatsoever to add except… you spelled “peive” incorrectly.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:14 pm rating: +3
- #7.20 anglophile
  
  *breathes a sigh of relief that the penguin was not permanently wandering*
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:19 pm rating: +3
- #7.21 Canthz_B
  
  HEY, WP’S HERE
  Missed you, WP!
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:31 pm rating: +1
- #7.22 WanderingPenguin
  
  Oh, I’m permanently wandering. It’s just that sometimes the ice floe shrinks and I can’t make it all the way back to the keyboard for a while. Speaking of ice … which is floating in my scotch as we speak…
  
  Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie,
  O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
  Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
  Wi’ bickering brattle!
  I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,
  Wi’ murd’ring pattle!
  
  Happy Robbie Burns Day, everyone!
  
  (Unfortunately, I cannot format that poem perfectly with proper indentations… but there ya go.)
  
  Hey, CB, thanks. Hmm… maybe we should try a parody of that poem. In the original tongue. That would be a challenge.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm rating: +3
- #7.23 anglophile
  
  I heartily approve of the poetry! Not to mention the Scotch!
  
  What’s that you say? Off topic? Wherever should I post this?
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 9:39 pm rating: +4
- #7.24 WanderingPenguin
  
  Holy crap. Did I not capitalize “Scotch” on Robbie Burns Day? I may burn in hell for that. I’m going to blame that on it being my third glass.
  
  But there’s no way I’m getting any haggis now.
  
  Some hae meat and canna eat,
  and some wad eat that want it,
  but we hae meat and we can eat,
  and sae the Lord be thankit.
  
  Well, it was either that or To A Haggis, which is a hell of a lot longer.
  
  And I have no idea what you’re talking about, “phil”.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:10 pm rating: +3
- #7.25 anglophile
  
  Um, WP, I hate to break it to you, especially since your comment may still be able to be edited, but I do believe Hell should also be capitalized, especially if you are speaking of the specific biblical place where one burns for one’s grammatical sins.
  
  Of course, poetry is always appreciated and should be encouraged.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:16 pm rating: +3
- #7.26 WanderingPenguin
  
  No, I’m going to burn in hell. Not Hell. See, Robbie himself would forgive me so actual purgatory is not on the horizon. Well, not for that, anyhow. Did I mention the multiple glasses of Scotch? Be thankful I’m closing my italic tags!
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:29 pm rating: +3
- #7.27 anglophile
  
  Oh, but I love CID! But, yet, I am relieved at the fact that everlasting brimstone and fire will not be your fate.
  
  Did I mention the bottle of wine I drank tonight? Pretty sure I did. Somewhere….
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:34 pm rating: +3
- #7.28 WanderingPenguin
  
  No, no - not Crazy Italics Day - I meant more like that time that someone (the former Reality, was it?) left them open and everyone needed Tylenol to get through the messages.
  
  I’ll see your bottle of wine and raise you another glass of Scotch. In fact, I’m raising it right now:
  
  Inspiring bold John Barleycorn!
  What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
  Wi’ tipenny, we fear nae evil;
  Wi’ usquebae, we’ll face the devil!
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:46 pm rating: +3
- #7.29 anglophile
  
  Ah, you mean Space Monkey and the Italics Backslash of Doom! Good times, good times!
  
  So, you wearing a kilt, then, WP?
  
  (feeling a little lightheaded. might be the wine. might be the Scotch-flavored poetry. might be the idea of a penguin in a kilt.)
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:51 pm rating: +4
- #7.30 WanderingPenguin
  
  Ah, but I am indeed. With my clan tartan thereupon (the 1/4-Scottish that I am, that is). I only regret that I returned home too late tonight to attend any celebrations - RB Day doesn’t often come on a Friday. Once upon a time I was in a pipe band - the 48th Highlanders here in Toronto - and lordy, was there a party on this day!
  
  I figure if this thread is going to pass the other “server thread from Hell”, then I might as well stay off-topic for several more posts. It’s not like anyone but you is reading them anyhow.
  
  A whole bottle of wine, hmm? Are you wearing a kilt, too, then?
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 10:55 pm rating: +4
- #7.31 anglophile
  
  Not anymore!
  
  (Distant) Clan Sutherland here. You?
  
  *nearly swoons at the thought of the pipes*
  
  I too, felt it made for better reading than tax brackets and the myriad disgusting ways food can be tainted. Who knows what the Heisa monster will think?
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:02 pm rating: +3
- #7.32 WanderingPenguin
  
  :O Not anymore??? Niiiiice.
  
  Clan Craig. Equally distant, but beautiful tartan, IMO.
  
  Yeah, tainted food. Not like that delicious Haggis.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:09 pm rating: +2
- #7.33 anglophile
  
  I believe I mentioned a bottle of wine?
  
  I looked it up. It is a nice tartan. Must look good with black and white.
  
  Back on topic: I firmly believe in tipping generously, except in cases of gross negligence or rudeness.
  
  *hopes that keeps the Heisa monster at bay*
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:15 pm rating: +2
- #7.34 morpho aurora
  
  WP - glo isn’t the only one reading - i’m sitting here giggling too
  missed ya sugar, glad you’ve wandered back
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:16 pm rating: +1
- #7.35 WanderingPenguin
  
  Awww…youse guys are da bestest.
  
  (How do you do a blushing smiley on here?)
  
  BTW, the 48th Highlanders’ tartan is of the Clan Davidson. It’s really nice as well. I miss that group a lot…thinking of rejoining in the past couple of years. Might yet. Not sure if I can handle the drinking anymore, though.
  
  I’m still recovering from Anglo having had a kilt on… but not any more.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:29 pm rating: +2
- #7.36 mamason
  
  How was the migration? You didn’t drop your egg, did you?
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:35 pm rating: +1
- #7.37 anglophile
  
  Not sure if you can handle the drinking? How many Scotches have you had tonight? And not a hint of a slur…..
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:38 pm rating: +1
- #7.38 WanderingPenguin
  
  No, no eggs dropped yet - but maybe tonight, if I’m lucky nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more.
  
  Ok, late into the fourth Scotch. Excellent point. But it is a magical night. Not too sure about the other 364.25 days.
  
  Oh, who the hell (small “h”) am I fooling? I can drink any day - if it’s good Scotch, for sure. Or most beers. Or…
  
  So, Anglo….”what’s worn under the kilt?”
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:42 pm rating: +1
- #7.39 anglophile
  
  Well, WP, a nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat. Say no more!
  
  And with that descent into pythonmania, I say good night, and welcome back.
  
  Jan 25, 2008 at 11:51 pm rating: +2
- #7.40 WanderingPenguin
  
  *sniff*
  
  Leaving? Nooooooo…..
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 12:02 am rating: +1
- #7.41 Canthz_B
  
  Nice idea at #7.22, WP…but I know my limitations.
  My Scottish blood has been thinned by over two centuries…but…this Man’s a Man for A’ That.
  
  Happy RBD to you…have a ball!
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 12:06 am rating: +1
- #7.42 mamason
  
  You mean a highball.
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 12:23 am rating: +1
- #7.43 Canthz_B
  
  What I mean is:
  
  The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth,
  Are higher rank than a’ that.
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 12:27 am rating: +1
- #7.44 Brian
  
  If you claim $1500 in tips over two weeks, the taxes that come out of paycheck covers the $1500 in addition to your measly hourly. If you are in 25% tax bracket for example, you owe $375 in taxes (just for tips). Making $2.77 an hour for two forty hour work weeks gives you about $220. You then owe taxes on $1720 for that pay period. For that reason, I have gotten nothing but $0.00 paychecks for years. I also am honest about my tips and owe money at the end of every year.
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 2:16 am rating: +1
- #7.45 lola
  
  This thread begs the question:
  
  WHY oh WHY would anyone continue working for a company where they make NO MONEY???
  
  My point exactly. You wouldn’t.
  
  If people are working for nothing, they are either too stupid to get another job, their parents require them to work anywhere to continue receiving allowance, they get a discount on their booze, or they cannot add correctly and they ARE making money.
  
  BTW, $100/night isn’t that terrible. It’s not career money, but waitressing for $2.75/hr, IMO, isn’t a career. That’s college cash
  
  (Brian - thanks for the explanation! I was about to say the same thing. $0 checks don’t mean you’re not making any money.)
  
  Jan 26, 2008 at 3:29 am rating: 0
- #7.46 tirso bbb
  
  @mamason
  
  and i thought the Brazilian IRS and tax system was unfair. ha!
  
  Feb 18, 2008 at 9:43 pm rating: 0
- #7.47 gothceltgirl
  
  Just because the checks are $0 doesn’t mean that they actually have zero money. They do after all get tips. But its a terribly unfair system for wait service people. Its fine for those in big cities who make a lot, but what about the people who may live/work in small towns or don’t know what else to do? Its easy to get stuck in a job where you depend on tips.
  
  You think living paycheck to paycheck is bad, try living day to day. As a stripper I relied almost exclusively on tips, many strip clubs charge the dancers to work & its all about hustling. Few pay the girls which is appalling to me.
  
  People in the service industry are greatly underappreciated.
  
  Mar 5, 2008 at 12:37 am rating: 0
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#8 Canthz_B

“It’s deja vous all over again!”

—Yogi Berra

Jan 24, 2008 at 6:36 pm rating: +1

reply to this comment
- #8.1 me
  
  actually, it’s deja vu all over again
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 8:11 pm rating: +1
- #8.2 Canthz_B
  
  Actually, it’s been used both ways.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 9:39 pm rating: +1
- #8.3 Canthz_B
  
  But I think deja vu is probably technically correct. Please forgive me, I’m not much of a Francophile.
  
  Jan 24, 2008 at 10:03 pm rating: +1
- #8.4 simon
  
  hmmm, déjà vu means ‘alre

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