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 Message 22486 of 22774 in Behind the Bar
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Subject: Re: Should the hourly wage a barback makes affect their tip out?
From: Dan the Melon Man
Posted: Sun Mar 27. 2011, 23:36 UTC
Followup to: "Re: Should the hourly wage a barback makes affect their tip out?"  by Chris Milligan  (Sat Mar 26. 2011, 17:25 UTC)
> If you tip less in overproiced place than a dive bar, and the hourly  
> wage is considered when tipping, do you then tip waiters more than 
> bartenders?  bartenders more than the head bartender?  Bartender more 
> than the bar owner who syill actively works behind the bar?

In my culture, tips are a sign of appreciation for outstanding service, not a 
tax loophole or an excuse for cheap-ass employers to underpay staff.
Bartenders and wait staff are already paid the fair wage that they negotiated 
in their employment contract. So your question doesn't really come up on a 
daily basis for us. 
But yes, in a more tip-heavy environment, I'm less likely to tip a working 
owner than his underpaid workers.
In practice, No, it's unlikely I'd tip a head bartender less, as for me 
tipping is primarily based on performance, and the head 'tender is often the 
one more likely to just be doing a better job.

Given that we don't have the compulsory minimum tip thing happening, service 
gets rewarded on its own merits - but only in relation to expectations and 
venue prices.

If we get basic service in a good bar with average prices, that meets 
expectations, the worker is already being paid a fair wage, and no tipping is 
expected.

If we get high-class service in a high-class place that is already charging a 
lot, I know that the drink price already reflects the professional wages being 
paid.
A high-class place would have the really blow me out of the water with service 
beyond the expectations set by their already-high prices to earn extra. If 
they are charging $12 for a drink I can get at another bar for $8 (assuming 
the same quality) then they* are already getting a 50% service charge on it. 
Do something that's worth more than a 50% tip, and you'll get it.


If I get above-average service in a cheap dive, that exceeds my expectations, 
and I know the worker may not be as highly paid, so tips are earned there.

.dan.

* I am aware that 'they' is ambiguous, but that's a longer discussion.


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