Dude, what, no. If the employer is keeping any portion of the tip pool, they are breaking the law. This is true for all 50 states afaik, and when it's not, it's a huge exception to the rule.
Awarding points due to seniority is really ridiculous, and really defeats the purpose of a tip pool. A tip pool should encourage better service by encouraging team work, instead of an every-man-for-himself atmosphere. Whoever was running that restaurant sounds like a fucking moran.
And herein lies an interesting issue. The employer is essentially guilting the customer into subsidizing his staff. Why would customers not be happier simply paying more for a consistent well trained staff?
You're setting up a false dichotomy, but whatever... the fact is that customers don't know how to appreciate "being real." Some do, but most are looking for some level of Chotchkiness. They are so used to it, that they don't even realize that they are having these demeaning fake interactions with someone every time they go out to eat. And I'd argue that most servers don't even recognize that they are doing it. It is a product of the tipping system.Quote:
What is to stop a server from just "being real" and doing a good job without acting like the guy from Chotchkies in Office Space?
Then there's the issue of a service economy to begin with. It's such a weird web of nonsense, where a large swath of the participants are expected to be subservient at work, but then want to enjoy the subservience of others when they go out. It's an economy where everyone ends up feeling entitled to be treated like a fucking prince or princess everywhere they go. Then they get their panties all in a bunch when it's not exactly how they wished it would be. Newsflash, you're not royalty.
It is only a non-skilled non-educated job for shitty servers. It's possible to get these jobs with no skill and no education, because the employer's investment is so minimal.Quote:
With risk and inconsistency comes great reward. Serving can be one of the best paying non-skilled / non-educated jobs on the planet, depending on the restaurant of course.
That's why it's a tip-boosting as well as check-boosting trick. Obv you aren't going to get a two top to order five entrees... and why are we even discussing flagrant upselling? The tactic, flagrant or not, is disingenuous and deceitful. It is not good service, and it is a by-product of the tipping scheme. It belies the true nature of a tipped employee, who is not there for good service, but is there to try to fleece the customer.Quote:
It seems like flagrant "up-selling" is a gambit though. If it is off-putting to the customer, that should theoretically reflect in your tip.

