I'll admit, I don't know exact what restaurants pay vs what they charge, but I'm guessing bigger chains like Outback, who charge out the ass, have hookups so they don't pay as much for a steak as you think they do. The smaller local places probably pay more, but big chains.. I highly doubt it.
Instead, I'll use the bartender as an example. A 1L bottle of$16-20 booze has about 34 1 oz shots available. At $1 or $2 a shot, the bar is making nearly double their money. Even more if you concoct a smaller drink.. say a screwdriver. $3 for a shot of vodka and some OJ? Hah! If a bartender is serving out $200+ worth of drinks an hour, then there's no reason why he shouldn't be making less than $10 an hour!
Someone asked about why should we tip a bartender but not a barista... well, that's why I don't go to bars. I don't see the point in tipping a bartender for doing his job. If he's sittin there chatting with me on a personal level and giving me some good entertainment, then yes... but if I go to a bar with a friend, order a few drinks and do nothing but talk w/ my friend.. why tip him? It takes 10 seconds to fill that glass of beer or 20 seconds to use the liquor gun to put together a drink. By all means, let me use the gun. I'll mix it myself!
Again, not being cheap... but that's kinda his JOB. He applied for that position knowing exactly what it would involve.
Of course, if I went to a bar, which I wouldn't.. I always turn down invitations to bars for that reason, I'd tip just because people would get all bent out of shape about it if I didn't. Doesn't mean I have to agree w/ it
