A Tip of the Hat to Mr. Meyer for Opposing Tipping

Saru Jayaraman’s article “Why Tipping Is Wrong” posted in The New York Times follows a new movement started by the New York based restaurateur Danny Meyer to eliminate the inequities caused by a society that tips and to bring awareness of what it really means to tip.

Meyer’s change to the industry isn’t just out of an economic cause but also because of an ethical and historical reason. Jayaraman discusses how tipping originated from European aristocratic societies and that during the end of the 19^th century Americans travelling Europe returned with this practice and began incorporating it into American culture. This is where tipping begin to grow into a racial issue as Jayaraman cites a writer from the period saying “he could never feel comfortable tipping a white person, since the practice should be reserved for ‘Negroes.’” We shouldn’t continue a system that is clearly defined by inequity.

Jayaraman later reinforces the racial element in the industry with recent statistics: “The racialized element of the practice continues to this day: 53 percent of tipped workers in New York State are minorities, and 21 percent live at or below the poverty line.

The article also covers loop holes in the system, stating how Governor Andrew M. Cuomo supported a statewide $15 minimum wage but it would exclude all workers who are tipped. Meyer is infuriated by the “un-American” aspect of the food industry and I would have to agree with him; it presents too many opportunities for workers to be taken advantage of.

Personally I’ve had many different friends work a similar job at different restaurants and yet each would tell me their earnings and tips and I would immediately notice a stark difference. They were both good workers and personable and it was unfortunate to see. Tipping is great if it’s working in your favor, or to be rewarded a little extra for good service, but having wages rely on your tips and understanding what tipping originates from is unethical and far from fair. I would have to agree with Danny Meyer’s stance on changing the industries standard. That said, salaries for certain occupations must be kept to realistic margins.

The Real Poverty Crisis Explained by Paul Theroux

In the article posted on the New York Times, “The Hypocrisy of Helping the Poor” by Paul Theroux reveals the facade of CEO’s helping the poor, when in reality they are usually the reason behind poverty. Paul Theroux is writing mainly to middle-class Americans, but his intention is to make the entire Nation aware and for everyone (especially wealthy CEO’s) to begin demonstrating more accountability and responsibility towards this crisis that threatens our country. Paul Theroux, is an established American novelist, critic, traveler and writer.

Theroux discusses how American investment in China has solved their poverty crisis, because of American corporations relocating jobs from the United States. We are in turn trading with places like China our success for their poverty (except for the few American CEO’s and corporations who benefit). Then for public image, CEO’s, donate to charity as a ploy to cover how they are the cause behind growing mass poverty in the States. “When Mr. Cook of Apple said he was going to hand over his entire fortune to charity, he was greatly praised by most people, but not [Theroux].” I have to agree with him; infrequent sums money no matter how large does not solve poverty. However a structured, financially stable plan does.

Visiting the Deep South, Theroux, recollects what predominantly stayed with him from his visit: “the sight of shutdown factories and towns with their hearts torn out of them, and few jobs.” During his visit he takes in account the true damage done.

 From his personal experience and research into this crisis he fills the article with very revealing information and opinions. An opinion he shares is quite notable, “To me, globalization is the search for a new plantation, and cheaper labor; globalization means that, by outsourcing, it is possible to impoverish an American community to…where it is indistinguishable…[from] a third world country.”

The article makes substantial claims and provides frightening evidence of how big business through globalization embarks on pursuing massive profits by vicariously draining communities to desolation, instead of prioritizing sustainability in global and domestic economies. Theroux is right and I agree with him completely. If we are to level out from our decline as a nation we need to bring back industry to us.