This past Saturday morning, on Oct. 30, I crawled my way into Riverwalk Bagels in downtown Oswego knowing the only way to cure my ailment was a bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel and a coffee. It was a decent sandwich, a little overpriced but whatever, and the employees were very nice and walked over to me to hand me my sandwich instead of just tossing it on some counter. Pleasant experience all around. The only downside? No tip jar. I asked if there was one, already knowing the answer from friends of mine, just to see what they would say. The cashiers said they are not allowed to have a tip jar, something that does not hurt the restaurant at all and can only help the college-aged people working there. That is one of the most absurd restaurant policies I have seen in a while.

I am not saying I always tip, regardless of how good my server is. In restaurants of course, if the server does a fine job, nothing special, they will get a 20% tip. If they do an excellent job or something special, I will tip more. Only if they go out of their way to be downright horrible I do tip under 20%, if any. Similarly, if I am at a coffee shop, if the cashiers are a little short with me or just not friendly, I will not tip. But most of the time I will throw a dollar or two in their jar. 

I have worked in restaurants for about seven years, from a cafe to a dinner restaurant to a bar/restaurant combo. People that have not worked in a restaurant just cannot fathom how much the job sucks sometimes, and the only reason people still work in restaurants is the money. As much as it is overplayed, “Karens” are a real thing. I am not going to sit and argue with you because you did not know what scallions are, just like I am not going to be busting my behind running food and drinks to a million tables for $12 an hour. No. Restaurant workers need to be tipped. 

Nobody needs to eat out. I could have made my bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel at home. Maybe not the specific ingredients, but I could have gone to Price Chopper and cooked for myself. Instead, I was lazy. People only go to restaurants because they are lazy, or lack the cooking ability, both of which are solvable. I go out to eat often, because I will admit that I am both lazy and not the best cook. I recognize my place in the system, just as those who do not tip should recognize they are the worst and are actively disliked by many people. 

To the owners of Riverwalk, put a tip jar out. It hurts nobody and helps the employees that I know have to be there at five in the morning. To those that do not tip in restaurants, know that I actively dislike you, as does every other restaurant employee ever. You never need to eat out, but if you choose to, treat the workers well. Restaurants can really suck to work in.

Photo from Flickr