As a server in a fine dining restaurant, I am paid $2.63 an hour plus tips. I am obviously seeing the effects of higher food prices, gas prices, etc. The owner of the place I work has seen it as well. However, the only way he can make the same money/more money is by raising menu prices.
If people tip 20%, then it means I’m making more money based solely on a more expensive menu. That’s great. I got a raise, but not really. The kitchen staff didn’t get anything more neither did the hosts or bussers. I didn’t get health insurance. I didn’t get vacation days. Yes, I got more tips that matched costs, but that was solely a result of my boss wanting to continue his lifestyle.
I am not saying I don’t have a good boss. I do. When it was slow last month, he cut us all checks from the government tax credit he got due to staffing during COVID. He could have just kept the money. However, things must change. It can never work unless it’s fair pay for all. We all must live.