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Old 06-16-2003, 10:21 AM   #26 (permalink)
gov135
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Location: Midwest
Quote:
Originally posted by 4thTimeLucky
Okay. Why do US waiters/resses only earn "TWO BUCKS AN HOUR"? What is the minimum wage in America?

Therefore tipping isn't something people expect UK waiters to have to live off. Indeed this idea that the person serving you needs your tip or they will go hungry that week seems quite an unpleasant one. Giving a tip to a good server is one thing, but paying waiters so little they *have* to get a tip from you to make ends meet is quite another.
Minumum wage I believe is up to 6 something an hour. Servers are paid between 2.15 and 2.30 and hour - it is assumed they will make tips to cover this gap. It should also be noted, that servers are required to report at least minumum wage on their tax forms - its not a cash business. I'm a tax accountant - and Uncle Sam is very interested in the hours servers work (provided by employers) - so he can do a quick calculation to ensure at least minumum wage is claimed.

I hope I answered your question 4thTime.

Thank you for your insight into the system employed in the UK. If I'm not mistaken, I believe 5+ pounds converts to over eight American dollars an hour. Quite a difference between to seemingly similar cultures. Thanks again.
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