Working as a server in the restaurant industry can be incredibly challenging. From dealing with difficult and sometimes rude customers to enduring long hours on your feet, it’s a job that demands both physical and emotional resilience. Yet, despite these challenges, the biggest issue servers face is their low pay.
In the United States, restaurant owners are legally allowed to pay servers less than the federal minimum wage due to the expectation that tips will make up the difference. In 21 states, servers earn a shocking base pay of only $2.13 per hour before tips. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, almost 15% of the country’s 2.4 million waiters and waitresses live below the poverty line. This rate is more than double the poverty level among all American workers, which stands at about 7%. Additionally, servers often lack access to basic benefits like paid sick leave and healthcare, which only exacerbates their financial struggles.
The tipping system is far from foolproof, as it relies entirely on customer generosity. Unfortunately, not all diners acknowledge the hard work servers put in. Some refuse to tip at all, even after receiving good service. This lack of appreciation can be devastating, as experienced firsthand by Taylar Cordova, a waitress who went viral after sharing her story online.
Cordova had served a table with a bill totaling $187.43, yet she received no tip. If the customers had left a standard tip of 15%, she would have earned an extra $28.11. Instead, she walked away with nothing. In her emotional social media post, which was shared over 12,000 times, Cordova expressed her frustration and heartbreak:
“This. This is why I work so many hours and cry in the shower. I struggle to buy clothes for my daughter and put food on our table because of moments like this. You, the person who doesn’t think tipping is necessary, are causing us to fall behind on bills. That’s a week’s worth of groceries my family has to go without because you couldn’t spare a few dollars after demanding every special request under the sun. Even $2 could have made a difference.
Servers are paid between $2-$5 an hour depending on their employer. So next time you decide not to tip, no matter what happened during your meal, consider how you would survive on just $2-$5 per hour. Could you pay your bills? Could you support your family? Because that’s the reality for many of us. Please, tip your servers. Even if the service wasn’t perfect, a 10% tip is still better than nothing. If you can’t afford to tip, maybe you should choose fast food instead.”
Despite the bleak reality many servers face, there may be hope for change. In recent years, some states, including New York, have raised or even eliminated the lower minimum wage for tipped workers. This shift is essential as the restaurant industry continues to grow. The National Restaurant Association projects that by the end of the year, 12.9 million people will be employed in this sector, making up 10% of the entire U.S. workforce.
As the industry evolves, the push for fairer wages is gaining momentum, giving servers like Taylar Cordova hope for a better future. If you found this story insightful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family.
