Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Tipping Etiquite [Split from the Money & Friends Thread]

wittynickname · 09-10-2008, 12:17 AM

I'm going to chime in, as I've worked in two different industries that generally involve tips:

I've worked various jobs in my life--I've done retail, I've done cashiering, I've done manufacturing type work, I've done waitressing, and currently I'm a stylist.

Waitressing is by far the WORST JOB I have ever had. I did it for six months and dreaded every last day of it. People who say servers shouldn't expect tips must have never done it--my paycheck for two weeks, for anywhere from 40-50 hours, was usually around $55. I was making $2.83/hour. It's a flawed system, there's no question, but if you really expect people to bust their ass for you, and 4-8 other tables, for $2.83/hour, you're insane. And for people who say that servers should just "deal with it" or "get another job"...it's not always that easy. And if everyone left crappy serving jobs--who would bring your food when you go out?

Again, I've done work that was far harder work, more labor-oriented, but I would take it any day of the week over waitressing--it's much harder than anyone who hasn't done it can imagine, and some of the people you have to deal with are just horrendous human beings.

Now as a stylist, I have noticed: guys tip better about 80% of the time. Our men's haircuts are $15, women's cuts are $19. I will often have a guy tip me $5-7 dollars on a cut, whereas a woman will regularly tip $2. I don't know how that works out, but that's the way it goes.

But I would never, ever go back to waitressing. Worst experience of my life.

09-10-2008, 12:17 AM	#105
wittynickname wittyusertitle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Exp:	I'm going to chime in, as I've worked in two different industries that generally involve tips: I've worked various jobs in my life--I've done retail, I've done cashiering, I've done manufacturing type work, I've done waitressing, and currently I'm a stylist. Waitressing is by far the WORST JOB I have ever had. I did it for six months and dreaded every last day of it. People who say servers shouldn't expect tips must have never done it--my paycheck for two weeks, for anywhere from 40-50 hours, was usually around $55. I was making $2.83/hour. It's a flawed system, there's no question, but if you really expect people to bust their ass for you, and 4-8 other tables, for $2.83/hour, you're insane. And for people who say that servers should just "deal with it" or "get another job"...it's not always that easy. And if everyone left crappy serving jobs--who would bring your food when you go out? Again, I've done work that was far harder work, more labor-oriented, but I would take it any day of the week over waitressing--it's much harder than anyone who hasn't done it can imagine, and some of the people you have to deal with are just horrendous human beings. Now as a stylist, I have noticed: guys tip better about 80% of the time. Our men's haircuts are $15, women's cuts are $19. I will often have a guy tip me $5-7 dollars on a cut, whereas a woman will regularly tip $2. I don't know how that works out, but that's the way it goes. But I would never, ever go back to waitressing. Worst experience of my life.