This is 2018 right???? So sad.

If I didn't have enough money to leave a good tip I wouldn't go out. They earn their money and I refuse to be a cheapskate in the tipping department. I can't think of a worse job to have.
Since some restaurants have them pool their tips I especially don't want anyone to lose out.

When my daughter waited tables she only got less than a couple dollars an hour and the rest was supposed to be made up in tips. This was over 20 years ago so if this is still the case that's horrible. Her taxable income was based on the assumption she got at least min. wage. There were times she didn't get much in tips or nothing for a tip. She didn't last long at doing that.

I worked as head chef in a restaurant for a few years. The job is stressful in the kitchen, but at least I knew how much money I would earn each week. I never wanted to be a waitress! I really think that there should be a law against this form of slave labor. Minimum wage is legally minimum wage for a reason.

ETA Oh, and I was on minimum wage in the kitchen too, as head chef. I don't know if that is normal too.

when I was waitressing in Oregon in the 70's the tax law had the establishment figure 8% tips. Believe me, there are lots of places where you'd never get that much in tips. Buffets come to mind, and fast food..I mean who do you tip there? Maybe they do fall under the minimum wage law.

I've also known a few waitpersons from high end restaurants who made what seemed like a fortune to me, 2-4 hundred a night.