In response to Melissa Fried’s Feb. 20 column:
Miss Fried’s idea that an automatic tip takes away a server’s motivation to give high quality service comes from ignorance of the serving profession.
Just like any other job, a server’s motivation to create an enjoyable dining experience is fueled by their desire to keep their job. If a manager sees a server giving poor service (for any reason) they would be stupid to keep that server as an employee.
After 9 p.m., few people come in, and they generally eat little and stay until closing. If someone comes in at 9 p.m. and stays till 11 p.m., and leaves a $2 tip, that server has just made $3.13 an hour. That’s well under minimum wage, and not worth the time or effort put into it.
The solution presented is just as bad as the “problem” presented. Raising hourly wages is no different than requiring people to tip. By the logic of Miss Fried, this raise would take away a server’s motivation to give decent service. Perhaps the only solution is for people to be fair when tipping, and taking into account all the variables of service.
Mark Stein
Class of 2006