Working in restaurants, particularly as a waiter or waitress, poses significant challenges, especially for those aged 45-65. Beyond enduring demanding and disrespectful customers, the primary hardship lies in the low wages. In 21 states across the U.S., servers can be paid as little as $2.13 per hour before tips, a practice that pushes nearly 15% of them into poverty.
A recent incident shared by waitress Taylar Cordova underscored this issue when she received no tip on a $187.43 bill, despite the standard expectation of 15%. Her post went viral, highlighting the financial strain such actions impose on servers supporting families. Cordova stressed how each tip—or lack thereof—directly impacts their livelihoods.
Currently, seven states have moved to increase or eliminate the lower tipped minimum wage, aiming to improve conditions in an industry that employs 12.9 million Americans. As awareness grows, so does the importance of acknowledging and supporting the hard work of restaurant staff.
