Initiative 77 -- Tipped Wage Vote in DC

[Anonymous]

Why do servers oppose it? If it's because they like being tipped in cash so they don't have to pay taxes on it, and are worried that customers won't tip as much if they know the servers are making regular minimum wage, and therefore that they will have to declare more of their income on their tax returns--well, too bad, so sad.

If it's that restaurant prices will increase--well, they should. The cost of a meal should include the cost of paying restaurant employees a decent wage. I'd rather pay more for the meal and not tip, or only tip for really outstanding service. Restaurants in other countries operate this way--it's not as though it's totally unheard of. And all of those restaurants in countries where tipping is not the norm do not have terrible service. Some do, some don't, just like American restaurants.

[Anonymous]

I would support it. But I feel like receipts and menus need to show that you no longer need to tip. Or that a tip should be extremely minimal since the server is making a real wage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do servers oppose it? If it's because they like being tipped in cash so they don't have to pay taxes on it, and are worried that customers won't tip as much if they know the servers are making regular minimum wage, and therefore that they will have to declare more of their income on their tax returns--well, too bad, so sad.

If it's that restaurant prices will increase--well, they should. The cost of a meal should include the cost of paying restaurant employees a decent wage. I'd rather pay more for the meal and not tip, or only tip for really outstanding service. Restaurants in other countries operate this way--it's not as though it's totally unheard of. And all of those restaurants in countries where tipping is not the norm do not have terrible service. Some do, some don't, just like American restaurants.

Nobody pays in cash anymore. Made $63 in cash last week. I don't mind paying taxes on it at all. Used to be that most people pay cash, but that was long. The payroll accountant can also see my cash sales and calculate the 15-18% and add it to the check and then take out the taxes.
Why didn't you lobby the end of tipping when most tips were paid in cash. People have dining reward cards, they track their business lunches, they budget with Mint and who knows what else. People hardly pay cash. Maybe tourists but hey also don't tip. I don't think you've worked in a restaurant before. "...too bad, so sad." - don't get worked up over something that is not a problem anymore, and let's not fix something that is not broken.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s poorly thought out and is a dumb idea. Servers will end up getting less. Restaurants will charge more and customers will still be expected to tip (albeit less than before but how much less will be extremely unsettled). There’s so much price creep as it is - neither I nor anyone else I know ever tip less than 20%. If service is really bad, I might tip 15% instead. If this goes into effect, I have no idea what the expected tip will be. I can definitely say tho that I’ll resent the uncertainty because I’ll probably end up over-tipping to err on the side of caution. And the way the 15% tip morphed to 20%, will we all eventually be expected to tip even more down the road? I can see that happening.

[Anonymous]

Well I agree with poster that servers will not hassle anymore since more and more people will pay no tip or very little. So basically we as a customers will pay more for the food get less serive due to servers knowing that you may or may not tip or due to decreased number of servers since restaurant will have to cut their servers in order to pay the min wage of $12.50.

[Anonymous]

If servers are getting a minimum wage, as opposed to a tip wage, I'd greatly reduce the amount I tip, and possibly eliminate in cases of average or below average service.

[Anonymous]

Basically, if this thing passes, customers are going to see less table service restaurants because profit margins on operating a restaurant are so thin. And the rent on commercial property in most of D.C. is too damn high.

So, basically, food places like Cava, Chipotle, and random buffets will expand, and mom & pop restaurants will continue to close. You'll have to go to the Suburbs if you want a relaxed, reasonably priced, sit down meal with your family.

[Anonymous]

I'm opposed

[Anonymous]

There have been numerous posts on the Cleveland Park listserv opposing this.

[Anonymous]

I’m a bartender and opposed. This bill will destroy my livelihood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems that most servers are against this initiative. I haven’t researched it but based on my very casual attention, it strikes me as one of those well-meaning, virtue-signaling type of initiatives that would actually result in terrible consequences for the people it’s purportedly trying to help. There are a lot of very mediocre restaurants in dc tho so if this initiative ends up closing those, then maybe that’s not a bad thing. But honestly, for stuff like that, I’d say let the market sort that out - not bone-headed regulations.

Having several waitresses in my family, i heartily agree.

Just another case of do gooders with no point of reference to understand what they are proposing running amuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do servers oppose it? If it's because they like being tipped in cash so they don't have to pay taxes on it, and are worried that customers won't tip as much if they know the servers are making regular minimum wage, and therefore that they will have to declare more of their income on their tax returns--well, too bad, so sad.

If it's that restaurant prices will increase--well, they should. The cost of a meal should include the cost of paying restaurant employees a decent wage. I'd rather pay more for the meal and not tip, or only tip for really outstanding service. Restaurants in other countries operate this way--it's not as though it's totally unheard of. And all of those restaurants in countries where tipping is not the norm do not have terrible service. Some do, some don't, just like American restaurants.

My sister would make hundreds of dollars in tips on a good night at a nice bar. This was in the 90s.

Having a set wage of $12.50/hour would mean that instead of making $300 + on a Friday night, she would make $75.00 before taxes on a Friday night. (With no benefits and probably a less flexible schedule).

This idea will hurt the people it claims to help, while doing nothing at all to make drunk creeps be respectful of waitresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do servers oppose it? If it's because they like being tipped in cash so they don't have to pay taxes on it, and are worried that customers won't tip as much if they know the servers are making regular minimum wage, and therefore that they will have to declare more of their income on their tax returns--well, too bad, so sad.

If it's that restaurant prices will increase--well, they should. The cost of a meal should include the cost of paying restaurant employees a decent wage. I'd rather pay more for the meal and not tip, or only tip for really outstanding service. Restaurants in other countries operate this way--it's not as though it's totally unheard of. And all of those restaurants in countries where tipping is not the norm do not have terrible service. Some do, some don't, just like American restaurants.

You are an example of the do gooder who has no understanding of blue collar work and not idea of the negative consequences of what you are advocating.

[Anonymous]

This being DC and DCUM, I'm sure the gentrifiers will be blamed on the exodus of table cloth restaurants from DC, once it happens.

Although I do look forward to better food offerings at 7-11 and CVS. Fast food is convenient food!

[Anonymous]

There a free ballot initiative 77 panel discussion at Black cat today if you would like to join. https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1706843