Edited here to reframe because I think you’re taking this really personally, and you’re so defensive. What I’ve edited out is what might have seemed a personal attack of your reading comprehension (since the topic of conversation is American tipping practices) and ability to ask questions (since none of your responses…

The fact that waitstaff aren’t paid hardly anything per hour isn’t a separate issue, and it’s misleading at best to frame it that way. And I’m not sure what you mean about part-time hours. Given the length of a typical shift, you would have to work 7-hour days to hit 40 hours. You can’t change that by wishing it away…

This is an excuse I really cannot stand. I get it: for 2 years in grad school I survived on rice, canned tuna fish, and the kindness of others. I would have loved to get a windfall of $30 to spend on a nice meal. But it is the unfortunate truth that you are not owed a special expensive meal. This is the kind of…

I see why you chose your name, sir! Two things: 1) what fantasy land of a restaurant are you aware of where everyone tips 20% and the rate of tables (including average dining time and the amount of required work) is so consistent? 2) why must you drag the poor teachers into this? They too are dramatically underpaid,…

I had an FOH manager once who would take over a server’s table if she was totally weeded and then (gasp!) give her the tip from that table. He would also run food if necessary but refuse any kind of tip-out. Best manager ever.

I’m a Sourcer, which means that I provide the research to recruiters so that they can fill your inbox. This includes personal emails addresses and phone numbers. I won’t regal you with all the sneaky ways I get this info, but it’s all out there and free. I like to think of my job as matchmaking between a candidate and…

I got it. I was sitting at my favorite East Nashville bar with a bartender who has been there for many years. She doesn’t have the best reputation for smarts, but this one really solidified things. Three people come in who look to be in their 20s, so she cards them. SOP. They’re out-of-towners, and one had a New…