The Current Summer 20

SERVING UP A LIVABLE WAGE
By John Castro
Serving, waiting — whatever term gets
thrown around — the duty of ensuring
restaurant attendees get their food hot and
their drinks cold is a restaurant tradition.
Serving is common across all 50 states and
most industrialized countries as servers put
on their aprons and uniforms to tackle the
masses day after day. But what is the pay like
for individuals in these roles? Servers in some
states earn $2.13 an hour, while Michigan
servers can bank on at least $3.67, according
to the U.S. Department of Labor. What exactly
12 SUMMER 2020
do these food-carrying attendants do for
this wage?
Picture this: a server approaches your table
with a smile and takes your order. This server
notes any allergies and substitutions without
question before grabbing your drinks. The
drinks arrive, and off the server goes to
the next table as the night picks up. The
restaurant becomes a hot spot for food
coming out late, customers handing out
complaints and Aunt Sally pedalling around
a purse full of suspiciously old coupons. This
is merely the tip of the iceberg in their duties.
Gina Tress, a Michigan-born server attending
the University of Alabama, can attest to these
seemingly glaring obstacles. Tress has been
serving since she was old enough to work.
Despite facing these issues, however, Tress
wants to provide excellent service to her patrons.
“Eating out is a time for people to relax and
enjoy time with loved ones. It’s fulfilling being
able to wait on clients and do everything in
my power to make them feel important and
catered to,” says Tress.
While the server’s patrons dine, they may
wipe tables or run food out for other servers.
They may go about their cleaning duties,
engaging in multiple activities behind
the scenes but still managing to run back
at the beck and call of all those needing
refills on their lemon waters. At the end of the
meal, the bill comes and hesitant glances are
exchanged. Customers are required to pay
the full amount, but what is expected as far as
the tip goes?
Tipping in the United States is considered
common courtesy and, traditionally, a way
to reward or punish the server for their level
of work. According to Consumer Reports,
it’s a safe bet to leave at least a 20 percent
gratuity. Is this enough for servers to earn
a living?
“My only wage is around two dollars an
hour, usually making up to 15-16 dollars an
hour [in tips], 30 at most [in tips] depending
on the day. If you work hard, you make more
money,” says Tress.
Many servers hold this mindset and do
make a livable wage. If tips don’t cut it, the
restaurant is required to pay the server the
federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 an hour.
Unfortunately, some establishments force
their servers to pool and divy up their tips.
For servers, wages are unpredictable and
unstable — in the U.S. at least. Tress has had
people walk out on their bills or leave $100
tips on $20 orders.
Europe ditched tipping around the time it
gained popularity stateside. In fact, it’s almost
an insult to tip in some European countries.
Tips and gratuities are factored into the pay
servers receive, and this allows countries