[JesusIsLord]

Making it illegal to pay less than a given amount does not make a worker’s productivity worth that amount.

The work performed by most waitresses is worth them being paid a minimum wage - IMHO. A problem with tipping is that the amount can vary greatly depending on the restaurant and/or the customer. Think of the waitress getting paid $7/hour who serves a party of 8 giving them a great amount of her time - and then gets no tip or a miniscule 1%.

Possibly a better law would be to require the customer to pay a 15% tip with the option of increasing that amount.

“The laborer deserves his wages.” - 1 Timothy 5:18

[Brian Griffin]

“The work performed by most waitresses is worth them being paid a minimum wage - IMHO. A problem with tipping is that the amount can vary greatly depending on the restaurant and/or the customer. Think of the waitress getting paid $7/hour who serves a party of 8 giving them a great amount of her time - and then gets no tip or a miniscule 1%.”

I’ve worked as a waiter for a few weeks.

Most people tip decently - my tips averaged about 12%.

Unfortunately, weekday lunch hours and dinner hours are too short to make a decent living. It takes working weekends to make it as a waiter.

Restaurants are the worst employers in my opinion.

[Svartalfiar]

Possibly a better law would be to require the customer to pay a 15% tip with the option of increasing that amount.

Like the mandatory tip on big parties, does anyone ever actually pay more?
Can you pay less if the service is really bad?
What about busboys, cooks, hostesses, managers, dishwashers, bartenders, etc? Do they get a set % of the mandatory 'tip', or how are they paid differently?
What about workers at non-table-service restaurants?
What if the bill includes togo food or accessories like glassware or a t-shirt or such?
What if the employer already pays employees more than minimum wage?
Why should the guy who buys a fancy steak be required to pay more than the guy who bought a plain burger? The waitress did pretty much the exact same work over the same time frame for both!