It's really simple to dismiss the work and skill of a good server, when a good one makes it look easy. Pretty clear many in this thread have never done that job. I did. It is grueling work, physically and mentally challenging.
Just imagine dealing with tables full of everyone in this thread....
Life is a choice, I simply would not and did not
choose to do that job or any other tipped job for that matter, to me in my younger days, I considered it a dead-end job, and I still do, and it is. I chose to get a low-end job in a storehouse with an education benefit instead and go to college in the evenings, get a decent education and moved on from there. Maybe I digressed and became an Engineer instead, but that is a different story, that was also my choice.
The great thing about America (and Canada) is there is a tremendous choice, that is not available in some countries.
The reason is that I did not want to rely on "other" folks generosity or lack thereof for my livelihood. Again, a choice.
While a server's job may be difficult for some, it is still a low-end totem pole job. Unless one is trying to get better educated on the restaurant business with intent on starting up their own one day, which is like a college education of sorts, I do not see point. Unless of course, one cannot get anything else, which is why a lot of folks end up doing it, but at the end of the day, it is still a choice. I certainly do not feel sorry for them, no one ever felt sorry for me lugging boxes and component parts to tradesmen in my storehouse job, and I did not expect it.
Oh, and please don't assume we do not tip where applicable, we do. Not at fast food establishments, take outs or donut shops though. We tip ONLY because it is expected and seems to be the norm, not for any other reason, "When in Rome". We tip the appropriate amounts for a given venue where applicable.
