Server wage insulting and ridiculous (Madison, Dane: credit card, public school, gated)

[gold*dust1]

It seems the actual problem is with the paltry hourly wage that is being paid to the waitstaff. If the states bordering WI can pay a living wage per hour why can't WI???????? Let's place the responsibility where it belongs.

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by gold*dust1

It seems the actual problem is with the paltry hourly wage that is being paid to the waitstaff. If the states bordering WI can pay a living wage per hour why can't WI???????? Let's place the responsibility where it belongs.

Amen where's their lobby or union? or association?

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by gold*dust1

It seems the actual problem is with the paltry hourly wage that is being paid to the waitstaff. If the states bordering WI can pay a living wage per hour why can't WI???????? Let's place the responsibility where it belongs.

Right, but for now, the system is what the system is and I don't think waitstaff should be punished because they are caught a bad system.

You have to consider tipping part of the cost of going out to a sit down restaurant. That goes for MN & IL, too.

Plus, 15-20% is typical around the country (25% in Chicago/New York) , regardless of what the base wage is, so there is no excuse not to tip at least as much here.

Now, don't get me started about having to tip the sub sandwich staff who do make minimum wage. You don't tip at other fast food places, but you have to tip them - why?

[EastSideMKE]

Originally Posted by katherkath

Hello,
I moved here from St. Paul, MN a few months ago and cannot believe that servers only make $2.33/hour in Madison. A server in the twin cities makes $6.50-$7/hour plus tips. On top of the non-existent hourly, tips in Madison are horrible. My friends tell me that the economy has suffered less here than other parts of the country yet I consistently average 15% in tips on my nightly sales. I work at a high-end restaurant in a wealthy part of town; my service involves wine pairing and presentation, often 3-course service, and I am good at what I do. I can't make enough money to pay my bills right now.
Has there ever been an initiative to raise the pay rate of servers here?
Please remember to tip your servers well-they make $2.33 and hour...

15% has been the standard gratuity for as long as I can remember. In certain cities like Denver and Minneapolis it's up to 18%, but as far as I'm concerned, you can't really be pissed that people are ONLY tipping 15%.

To me, it just sounds like you're not very good at your job. A close friend of mine works as a bartender way up in Appleton and she averages over $50 an hour. She only works 8 hours a week and brings home around $400-500 a week in tips.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

Right, but for now, the system is what the system is and I don't think waitstaff should be punished because they are caught a bad system.

You have to consider tipping part of the cost of going out to a sit down restaurant. That goes for MN & IL, too.

I never said they should be punished nor did I address tipping, but can assure you I tip well based on performance. I've actually had some excellent service lately, which surprises me considering the slave wage

If somone gives me terrible service I'm not afraid to show my dissatisfaction by tipping them accordingly. I don't owe them 20% just because their employer doesn't pay them minimum wage!

"For now?" How long is too long "for now?" That to me is the core issue.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Amen where's their lobby or union? or association?

Duk123 listed some links. How WI gets away with this is beyond me
Servers need to revolt!

[EastSideMKE]

I have no sympathy for 99% of waiters and waitresses. Unless they're going to start sharing their tips with the cooks (the people who actually make the food) and the bus boys and dishwashers (the people who actually clean up after the customers), then I have absolutely no problem with them making such a tiny hourly wage. What the hell do they have to do anyways? Write down orders? Carry a tray? Roll some silverware? Doesn't sound like brain surgery to me.

[gold*dust1]

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

I have no sympathy for 99% of waiters and waitresses. Unless they're going to start sharing their tips with the cooks (the people who actually make the food) and the bus boys and dishwashers (the people who actually clean up after the customers), then I have absolutely no problem with them making such a tiny hourly wage. What the hell do they have to do anyways? Write down orders? Carry a tray? Roll some silverware? Doesn't sound like brain surgery to me.

A chef in a fine dining establishment or even a cook at Denny's makes more than minimum wage. Shame on you...I waited tables for a short time back in the day and it's real work.

It sounds like you don't eat out much and/or are a stiffer. BTW, waitresses do share their tips with the bussers. Dishwashers are on thier own...one of the most lowly jobs and if you can't rise above that one god help you

[EastSideMKE]

Originally Posted by gold*dust1

A chef in a fine dining establishment or even a cook at Denny's makes more than minimum wage. Shame on you...I waited tables for a short time back in the day and it's real work.

It sounds like you don't eat out much and/or are a stiffer. BTW, waitresses do share their tips with the bussers. Dishwashers are on thier own...one of the most lowly jobs and if you can't rise above that one god help you

Actually, I'm a really good tipper when the server deserves it. Otherwise it's a straight up 15%. I know from experience that servers make far more money than cooks, bussers, and dishwashers, sometimes even more than managment. Unless someone's an executive chef for a fancy hotel or resort, then they don't make as much as you might think. Cooks are lucky to make $10 an hour while they usually put in a much longer day than a server and have to work way harder in 100°F kitchens. Bussers and dishwashers usually make $7-8 hour. Servers are supposed to share their tips with bussers, however, unless you're psychic the servers can under-report how much they made in tips so they don't have to share as much.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Oh bawwww.

Chances are you just aren't that good of waitress, sorry.

People in Madison (and Wisconsin) have expectations, and if you provide good service, they'll typically pay for good service. I've talked to many waitresses and waiters in Madison, and I noticed the only ones that I ever found bitching were the ones who were pretty negative and humorless people to begin with (in which case they shouldn't be waiters). As long as you are warm, attentive, and genuine, you will make more than enough money off tips... no matter if you are in Toledo or Wisconsin.

The fact that you complain that you are "only getting 15%" really shows your true colors, anyway. 15% isn't shabby... at all. You are expecting everything and putting the cart before the horse. You will get nowhere in any job with that attitude.

But with that said, I'm really surprised to hear servers only make 2.33 per hour, especially with Wisconsin's otherwise higher-than-average minimum wage. Hopefully something is done about that.