As a long-term employee of the service industry, it never ceases to amaze me how little some customers understand the social custom of tipping. I keep hearing the argument "how hard is it to bring food to a table?" or "in Europe they don't tip." Enough with the excuses! People who say serving is easy have clearly never worked in a restaurant, and those who serve in Europe have a higher minimum wage. Do these people realize that the hourly rate of waiters and waitresses in Pennsylvania is only $2.43 an hour? That means, after an 8 hour shift of bringing food to tables, we have made less than $20!
My most recent, and also most humorous excuse was "sorry bro, I'm a college student, I can't afford to tip... you know how it is..." Why yes, I do know how it is! I do know what it's like to be broke, working my hands to the bone while waiting on obnoxious, arrogant and self-centered college students who single handedly change my job title from "server" to "servant." Come on people! Life isn't free for all of us! My point is please have some consideration for those who serve you. Whether it be your waiter, bartender or cab driver, throw them an extra couple bucks. I'm sure they could use it.
